the wetlands of the don river were becoming increasingly polluted. plans were developed to convert the area (1,000 acres in size) into usable lands. a planning advocacy group, the civic guild unveiled a plan in 1909 which advocated industrial and recreational uses for the land. the board of trade advocated the reclamation and infilling of the wetlands for port and industrial uses. the existing port facilities were inadequate when a railway strike occurred in 1910, forcing vessels to wait days to dock.