Canada #31 Toronto Island Park
In the summer months, crowded ferries travel back and forth all day long from their terminal in downtown Toronto to Toronto Island Park. The curving beaches, wide flat cycle paths and walking tracks on the islands are busy, and the amusement park and children’s farm are popular attractions.
Even though the 15 islands which make up the park cover an area of just 330 hectares, it’s not difficult to leave the crowds behind and spend time in more peaceful surroundings. There are 262 private homes and more than 600 permanent residents on the islands, and a guided walking tour is the perfect way to learn about their relaxed island lifestyle.
On a warm summer’s day we join long term residents Susan and Linda for a 90 minute exploration of the residential communities on Ward’s Island and Algonquin Island. We learn that the islands were not always islands; they were once joined to the shore of Lake Ontario by a sandbank. Wild storms in 1852 and 1858 washed away the sand, creating a wide channel linking Toronto’s inner harbour and Lake Ontario.
No cars are allowed on the islands and most people travel on foot or by bicycle. Six bridges connect the islands and shaded footpaths meander through the quiet neighbourhoods.
With warm humid weather in summer, most homes are surrounded by lush green gardens overflowing with flowers. We pause often to admire the beautiful gardens and the wildlife they attract. Houses on the city side of the island also have enviable views across the water to Toronto’s CBD.
When our walk with Susan and Linda is finished, we say farewell and continue along a broad timber boardwalk. Beginning at Ward’s Island Beach, it follows the curves of the shoreline to the pier at Centreville.
On this sunny day the calm water of Lake Ontario gently laps the sandy shores of the island beaches. Watersports enthusiasts as well as the local wildlife take advantage of the glorious conditions.
As we come closer to Centreville, we hear once more the sounds of daytrippers enjoying themselves. It might only be a 13 minute ferry ride from the city, but they must all feel like they’re on an island holiday.
Join Jo for Monday Walks
What a lovely day. Island seems beautiful and relatively calm.
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Away from the touristy area it was incredibly calm and quiet. Walking along those shady lanes was so nice.
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You do visit some lovely places and take such beautiful pictures Carol!
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Thank you Denzil. The island was so interesting and it was great to walk with those two ladies and hear about the people who live there full time.
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Stunning photos Carol, they really sell the place.
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Thank you Glenys. It’s a very pretty place in mid-summer. I can’t imagine how different it would be in mid-winter.
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Sounds like a great little place for a day trip, and the photos are gorgeous – very inviting. The blogging community enhances my geography knowledge – I had to look up where Toronto is! Actually the blogging community enhances my whole life, I learn something new every day.
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I hope you looked up the Toronto in Canada and not the one on the central coast of New South Wales! We haven’t been to that one but I suspect it’s not quite the same. 🙂
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Yes, it was in Canada. I didn’t know there was one in NSW, now I’ve learnt something new for today too.
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I don’t know why but people tend to ignore the waterfront and all that goes with when they write about Toronto, Carol. I’m so used to seeing it as a cosmopolitan, busy city, and bitter cold for some of the year, that it’s wonderful to see this island paradise. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂 🙂
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You’re right about the weather, Jo. Our daughter experienced some amazing extremes of temperature. Toronto is an amazing city and the waterfront area is quite small. But the island is certainly a wonderful place to spend a day on.
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oh my, I want to be there right now . . in fact I want to move there!!
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You and many other people! There is a long waiting list of people who want to buy into the community but properties rarely come onto the market because they tend to keep them in the family. I can’t imagine owning a home there and not wanting it. I think the residents have to live there permanently, they can’t keep it as a holiday home.
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ah that sounds a very sensible policy
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The water looks so clear in the photo of the four ducks. It looks so stunningly healthy. Is that clarity true of the waters of Lake Ontario as a whole?
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It was certainly very clear and clean along that part and also in Niagara. I can’t say for the whole lake though as we didn’t see it all. The lake is huge, second largest of the Great Lakes. We didn’t see anywhere in Canada that appeared to be overly polluted.
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How lovely not to have any cars on the island. Perfect to take your time and discover by foot 🙂
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It makes it much more peaceful and I think the inhabitants love it like that.
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Absolutely 😊
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great post 😃
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Thank you. We had a lovely day here.
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No problem!! We can tell 🙂 stop by my blog when you get the chance 😁
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Never made it over there and it does look absolutely gorgeous!
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It’s very pretty and the homes are so beautiful. Like a movie set.
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We visited in April two years ago – apart from the number of people, our photos look similar – bright blue skies. But it was FREEZING! I remember having lunch in a really nice restaurant, possibly the only one there.
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We took our lunch with us so I didn’t take notice of any restaurants. There was a pretty café close to the ferry terminal on Ward’s Island. When we were planning this trip our daughter was adamant we needed to come in July. She said it was the only way to guarantee warm weather.
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What a beautiful place to live. I really like the idea of walking or cycling everywhere. The inhabitants must be very healthy. I love the look of those shady pathways, but couldn’t help wondering if there are lots of mosquitoes in the humidity of summer. 😯
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I don’t recall having a mosquito problem on the island but I know we had to keep the doors closed at our Airbnb to keep them out.
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Oh I didn’t go here but it looks really beautiful! I so enjoyed my time in Toronto!
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We did too, Lorraine. We spent 11 days there because our daughter was living there and every day was great.
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Lovely photo of the cardinal! Are you tempted to go on a writing/artist residency on the Islands? http://artscapegibraltarpoint.ca/artist-residences/ Not sure about living on the Islands in winter!!
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It would be a wonderful treat to do one of those retreats. I agree with you, winter might not be as pleasant as it was when we were there in summer.
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Very interesting read about this when usually I see more about the city itself. My mind did go to wandering about living in one of the residences with ferry service but no cars. Hmmm. Beautiful area, and I love the water shots and the gorgeous cardinal. Great adventure.
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It was a wonderful day, Judy. The islands are only 5.5 km long in total, so having no cars really isn’t a problem but the people living there do have to go on the ferries to the city for everything. Some of the homes we saw were simply stunning. I think retirement might be very pleasant there.
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What a lovely, peaceful place to live (and visit). I like the idea of guided walks by locals – much better than a normal touristy tour. The clear water where those ducks are swimming is amazing! 🙂
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The water was very clear and clean around the islands. We enjoyed our walk and heard some interesting stories.
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We visited on a cold late autumn day. It looks like a return in more favourable weather would be a grand idea. I love the idea of the tour as well.
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Mid-summer is definitely the time to go. It was absolutely beautiful. The tour was very interesting and there were only three of us so we had time to ask questions and have nice conversation.
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Closer to city yet a calm place seems geacen. Nice post.
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It was a very peaceful place away from the touristy areas.
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A boon indeed….
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It all looks and sounds so relaxing. And how great to see it with some locals. Beautiful photos.
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Nice blog
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Thank you and welcome!
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NICE TO HAVE HAD GOOD WEATHER FOR THE TRIP, CHINA
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That day was lovely, and very warm.
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