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TORONTO ISLANDS
The Toronto Islands were not always in fact islands but actually a series of continuously roaming sand-bars, or
littoral drift deposits, originating from the Scarborough Bluffs and carried westward by Lake Ontario currents. In the early 1800s,
the largest of these bars had grown nearly 9 kilometres south-west from Woodbine Avenue, through Ashbridge's Bay and the marshes of the
lower Don River, forming a natural harbour between the lake and the mainland.
Visitors have cherished the secluded lakeside charm and beauty for centuries. Considered a place of leisure and relaxation to native peoples,
the peninsula and surrounding sand-bars were only first surveyed in 1792 by Lieutenant Bouchette of the British Navy. The main peninsula became
known to European settlers as the "Island of Hiawatha". D.W. Smith's Gazetteer recorded in 1813 that "the long beach or peninsula, which affords a most
delightful ride, is considered so healthy by the Indians that they resort to it whenever indisposed". Many Indian encampments were located between
the peninsula's base and the Don River. The sand-bars have and continue to be an important ecosystem to birds and other wildlife. During migration
periods vast numbers of birds frequently stopped at the sand-bars and marshlands of the Don River and Ashbridge's Bay.
In the 1800’s there was a very popular carriage path from York which led to Gibraltar Point at the western tip of the peninsula, and also
followed the shoreline east to Scarborough Bluffs which later became known as Lake Shore Avenue. Part of the boardwalk on Centre Island traces this
same route. A bridge across the Don River that was constructed to enable people from the city to reach Lake Shore Avenue also aided settlement east
of the river. In 1850, the young engineer Sanford Fleming studied the sand-bar movement and calculated that twelve hectares had been added to the western
section of the sand-bars over the previous fifty years. During that decade, a number of severe storms and their strong wave action worked to erode the
peninsula, requiring frequent repair to small gaps until finally, in 1858, an island was created when a storm completely separated the peninsula from
the mainland and the gap was not repaired. The Eastern Gap has since become an important shipping route into the Toronto Harbour.
In an effort to stabilize shorelines dredging projects have been undertaken to, reduce sand-bar movement, create deeper boating channels,
or raise land levels generally. During 1904-6, a channel was cut north of the Island Filtration Plant, alongside Hiawatha Avenue. In 1909,
Long Pond was dredged to replace the regatta course previously located at Hanlan's Point . The resulting material was used to enlarge Mugg's Island.
Similar projects created Olympic Island. High lake levels continually damaged island properties and, on January 1, 1956, the City of Toronto transferred
responsibility for the Toronto Islands to The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (Metro) to be developed as a regional park. Many projects were
undertaken by Metro Parks and Culture including fully accessible washrooms, a public marina, an amusement area and petting zoo, and the establishment
of naturalized areas and wildlife reserves. In 1998, Metro and six municipalities were amalgamated to become the new City of Toronto.
Over 1,225,000 people visit this 230.388 hectare park each year.
Hanlan's Point
Settling at Gibraltar Point in 1862 the Hanlan family was among the first year-round inhabitants on Toronto Island,. After the
islands were transferred from the federal government to the City of Toronto in 1867, Plan D-141 divided the land into lots and allowed cottages,
amusement areas and resort hotels to be built. The west side of the island, commonly known as West Point, rapidly became a resort destination for
the citizens of Toronto; the first summer cottage community was found here. In 1878, a hotel was built by John Hanlan at the north-west tip of the
island and soon after the area became known as Hanlan's Point. Edward "Ned" Hanlan, probably the most famous member of the family, earned international
recognition as a rower and held numerous world records. By the 1890's, three hotels and a summer recreation centre had been built.
An ambitious lakefill project in 1894, by the Toronto Ferry Company added space for an amusement park that included an exciting roller-coaster
called the Big Scream. A baseball stadium, built in 1909 and destroyed by fire one year later, was rebuilt to hold 10,000 spectators. Babe Ruth,
a baseball legend, hit his first professional home run here. After the 1930's the role of Hanlan's Point as a centre of recreation declined when the
stadium was closed and the Maple Leaf baseball team moved to a new facility at the foot of Bathurst Street. The amusement park was demolished and in
1937 Toronto Island Airport was constructed.
Park Features
Main park type
*island picnic park
Pedestrian/bicycle trails
*2.48 kilometres from Hanlan's Point Ferry Dock to the Island Filtration Plant
Park facilities
*3 fully accessible washrooms
*1 washroom-changeroom
*1 changeroom
*8 drinking fountains
*11 water taps
*13 picnic areas with 4 fire pits
*First Aid station
Food, recreation and fun
*2 snack bars (seasonal operation)
*Toronto Island Natural Science School
*bicycle rental
*historic Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
*serviced public boat moorings (48-hour limit)
*2 wading pools
*6 illuminated tennis courts
*2 softball diamonds
*3 volleyball courts
*2 supervised beaches (July and August)
*Island Yacht Club on Mugg's Island (private)
*public phones
Centre Island
Between Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island is Centre Island . The main east-west axis along Centre Island once a carriage route along the
peninsula connecting the mainland to Gibraltar Point Lighthouse later evolved into Lake Shore Avenue. By the late 1800's, many of Toronto's
wealthiest families built beautiful Victorian summer homes along Lake Shore Avenue, east from Manitou Road to Ward's Island.
In 1884, Archbishop Sweatman directed construction of an Anglican church, St. Andrew-by-the-Lake. Four years later Island Park was established
on land previously occupied by the Mead Hotel, and has continued to offer an impressive panoramic view of downtown Toronto ever since.
Two distinctive bridges, still in use today, were built to accommodate the increase in traffic along the central north-south axis as the Centre
Island Ferry, operated by the Toronto Ferry Company, became more popular. The Manitou Road bridge (1912) replaced an old wooden bridge and the
Olympic Island bridge (1914) was built to link Olympic Island with Island Park.
Park features
Main park type
*island picnic park
Pedestrian/bicycle trails
*1.11 kilometres from Island Filtration Plant to boardwalk
*1.68 kilometres from boardwalk to Ward's Island Ferry Dock
*0.76 kilometres from Centre Island Ferry Dock to Lookout Pier
Park facilities
*2 fully accessible washrooms
*2 fully accessible washroom-changerooms
*1 washroom and 1 washroom-changeroom
*18 drinking fountains
*10 water taps
*21 picnic areas with 6 fire pits
*2 First Aid stations
Ward's Island
*4 drinking fountains
*2 water taps
*2 fire pits
Food, recreation and fun
* 4 snack bars (seasonal operation)
* Iroquois Restaurant + Paradise Restaurant (licensed)
* bicycle and boat rental
* Centreville Amusement Area
* Far Enough Farm
* Toronto Island Marina
* serviced public boat moorings (48-hour limit)
* 2 softball diamonds (Centre and Olympic)
* 3 wading pools
* 2 volleyball courts (Centre and Olympic)
* Allan A. Lamport Regatta Course On Long Pond
* The Island Church (non-denominational)
* Avenue of the Islands Gardens
* Royal Canadian Yacht Club (private)
* public phones on Centre and Ward's Island
* Frisbee Golf Course
Ward's Island
*Queen City Yacht Club (private)
*Ward's Island Beach (with washroom) and playground
General information
School groups and catering
Advance catering arrangements may be made by contacting Centreville Amusements and Catering. Please phone (416)203-0405 for details.
Please note no outside caterers are permitted on the Toronto Island.
Alcoholic beverages
Individuals/organizations may not bring alcohol onto Toronto Island. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased in advance from Centreville
Amusements and Catering. Please phone (416)203-0405 for details.
Freight wagon rental
*Four-wheeled freight wagons (approx. 5' x 2 1/2' x 3') can be rented at the Mainland Ferry Docks on a first-come, first-served basis for a $10.00
fee plus a $20.00 refundable deposit. Deposits will be refunded provided the wagon is returned within the same day.
Picnic and fire pit permits
*A $53.50 non-refundable picnic permit is required for groups larger than 25 persons, or groups of any size wishing to use the fire pits. Wood is often provided free of charge (while quantities last) with a fire pit reservation.
*For information on Toronto Islands permits - please call 416.392.8188
Gas barbecues
*Propane or gas B.B.Q.'s are not permitted on the Ferry Boats for safety reasons. We recommend that you bring along a small portable
charcoal operated hibachi B.B.Q., just in case one of our B.B.Q. stands is unavailable for your use.
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is operated by Beasley Amusements and is open daily for the summer (from the May long weekend through Labour Day weekend).
Weekend hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Weekday hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
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