1 Toronto Islands are an archipelago of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario about 1.6 km south of downtown Toronto, once known as "the place of trees standing out of the water"
I'm not sure but I think that "the place of trees standing out of the water" is the English translation of their name from some of the languages of the native/aboriginal people living in the Greater Toronto Area.
This seems like a really cool place. I'd have to spend some time there if I ever go to Toronto.
Oh ya. You're Canadian.
2 The Islands used to be a peninsula - they were linked to the mainland until a particularly strong storm in 1858. Winds and currents curved the area into an 8 km hook broken on the inside into tiny lagoons and islets
3 Toronto Islands is the city's largest parkland attracting one million visitors a year. The area of the islands is about 820 acres (330 ha)
It's a great place to spend the day
4 Access to the Islands is by ferry, water taxi or private boat - it takes 15 minutes to get there from downtown Toronto
The ferry ticket isn't expensive
5 The Islands are home to parkland, 4 yacht clubs, Centreville Amusement Park, beaches, a frisbee golf course, a small local airport, residential area (about 300 homes), several playgrounds and gardens
There are also two daycare centres, one public school and one church.
Plus ample park land suitable for picnicking.
6 The island community is considered to be the largest urban car-free community in North America
Only some service vehicles are permitted
7 There are several swimming beaches on the islands and one of them includes an officially recognized clothing-optional section
8 Recreational biking, boating and fishing are popular activities on the Islands. There is also a dragon boat regatta course and grandstand, where the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival is held annually
9 Six bridges connect some of the islands that are for pedestrian traffic, bicycles and all-terrain vehicles only
10 Almost all pictures of Toronto's skyline with the CN Tower on it were taken from the Toronto Islands, or from a ferry to the Islands
Toronto is the most populous city in Canada, the provincial capital of Ontario, and the centre of the Greater Toronto Area, the most populous metropolitan area in Canada. Toronto is an international centre of business, finance, arts, and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The image you see - for sure.
The Contenders
11 The layout of the streets in the residential area remains as it has been since 1915
12 One of the Amusement Park attractions is the miniature train ride
Children really like it but adults are allowed on the mini-train, too.
Other Amusement Park attractions include "a carousel, log flume, a Ferris wheel, a 'haunted barrel works', an enclosed "Scrambler", a miniature roller coaster, pleasure swan boats, bumper boats, antique-style motor cars and several kiddie rides, such as the tea cups, a swing boat, drop ride and miniature fire engines. There are several food concessions, some games and a gift shop. There is also a wading pool, pony rides and miniature golf." - wiki
13 Recreational bicyclists are accommodated on the ferries but bicycles, quadracycles, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats are available for rental on the islands
14 Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run at Hanlan's Point Stadium on the Islands, in 1914
George Herman Ruth Jr., better known as Babe Ruth, was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935.
15 There's a farm called Far Enough Farm - a hobby farm opened in 1959 and is home to several domesticated animals including rabbits, goats, pigs, chickens, cows and ponies as well as emus and peafowl which often freely roam around the farm
Kids love it. Kids who grow up in urban areas need to see a real goat, chicken, pig,...
16 The gap between the mainland and the airport terminal is only 121 metres (397 ft) and in 2015 a pedestrian tunnel was open
Before 2015 there was a ferry (one of the shortest in the world) and Canadians used to joke that the authorities could technically park a longer vessel in the gap and people can walk on it.😂
17 Everywhere there are signs "Please, Walk On the Grass"
