The Toronto Islands is a group of 15(!) islands in Lake Ontario, south of Toronto. You can find everything from walking trails, public parks, restaurants, an airport to yacht clubs, an amusement park and public beaches here. It is also the largest urban car-free community in North America, with around 300 homes, a school and a church. In other words, it’s a little paradise.
It’s another place we don’t visit too often, as it’s ‘beyond downtown’…meaning it’s not only a drama getting downtown, but then you’re not even there yet. There’s still a ferry or water taxi ride to go, and the waiting lines for either can be daunting. Some great advise a friend once gave me (but I yet have to follow up on) is to go before or after the amusement park opens…as the ferries will already be running but the tourists haven’t arrived yet.
This weekend we happened to be there because of the international dragonboat regatta on the main island. It’s a beautiful location for this event and there were thousands of people participating and supporting, aside from the ‘normal’ tourists and residents. Still, the island didn’t feel overcrowded, as there is plenty space for everyone. These are some pictures I took while walking the main island that day, taken with a very old (Toronto-made) Kodak box camera.
Frivolous fact: Hanlan’s Point is a clothing-optional beach and the historic site of Canada’s very first Gay Pride.
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