Cherry Beach (Christina Palassio) Toronto: it’s been a tumultuous summer. And amidst it all, the waterfront continues to be the site and subject of compelling civic conversations. We may be divided in what we want and what we think we can achieve, but between ongoing development discourse, the plethora of beach media coverage and new approaches to connecting us with our sandy spots, interest in our lakefront, both present and future, is cresting. Before we transition from Toronto Beach City to a post-Labour Day reality, take a few hours this weekend to enjoy what we’ve got. Herewith, a round-up of the Toronto beaches we sampled this summer (click on the link to read our dispatch). Ward’s Island Beach Cherry Beach HtO Park Sunnyside Beach Centre Island Beach Gibraltar Point Kew-Balmy Beach Hanlan’s Point Marie Curtis Park Sugar Beach There are a few more beaches I visited, but didn’t have the space to write about. Known for its volleyball courts, Woodbine is a hotspot for sport. On Saturday, Sept. 17 Woodbine will host the city’s second-annual Windfest waterfront kite festival, where experts will demo high-flying moves alongside kite-making workshops and green energy stations run by the TREC Renewable Energy Cooperative. For a picnic, head to Bluffer’s Beach Park at dusk: Blue Flag-certified as of this year, Bluffer’s is the perfect place for a picturesque beachfront dinner. Bring a large checkered tablecloth and all manner of fancy snacks and tuck in between the bluffs at sunset for an otherwordly night. Proper dinner attire required. East of Bluffer’s, find Rouge Beach. Located at the mouth of the Rouge River, Rouge Beach has been green-lit for swimming much of the summer, though it isn’t Blue Flag-certified. Enjoy views of the shoreline stretching all the way to Pickering with your line in the water or explore the wetlands while canoeing the river and nearby marshes. If upon reflection we had the opportunity to hand out awards for our beaches, they would look something like this: Best swimming Hanlan’s Cleanest swimming Woodbine Worst swimming Marie Curtis Best view of the city Kew Balmy Best view from which to forget about the city Gibraltar Point Best beach for people watching I’d be lying if I didn’t say Hanlan’s Best beach for a date Ward’s at night Beach with the best beach snacks nearby Cherry Beach (T & T Supermarket) Most isolated, quietest beach Gibraltar Point Noisiest beach HtO Park Best (artificial) landscaping Sugar Beach If I could only visit one beach this weekend, the last before Labour Day, and the weather is good: Hanlan’s for energy, Gibraltar for relaxation. Toronto, you’re a beach. Let’s keep it that way.
