We hit the Kew Beach Trailhead on a cold, late fall morning. A lightweight rain was falling, and the air was crisp with the odor of moist leaves. Not many individuals had been out, which was positive by us. More room for squirrel shenanigans! No critically! These guys had been fearless, virtually posing for the digital camera!
We had been able to sort out the Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail, a 22-kilometre waterfront path that stretches from Kew Beach to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge alongside the Trans Canada Trail. It can be part of the 29,000-kilometre Trans Canada Trail community. This portion of the scenic path promised gorgeous views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline, making it a preferred alternative for walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers.
Since we often stroll about 5 to eight kilometres each morning, we knew we wouldn’t be conquering the entire thing in a single go. Instead, we deliberate to sort out it in sections, parking at totally different entry factors and exploring just a few kilometres at a time.
First up: the japanese part, beginning at Kew Beach.
Who is Martin Goodman?
But maintain on a sec – who is that this Martin Goodman man anyway? Why is his title on among the finest trails in Toronto?
Turns out, he was a distinguished Toronto businessman and philanthropist who performed a key function in creating the town’s waterfront. He was really a driving power behind the creation of Harbourfront Centre, which we had been planning to take a look at in a while our stroll.
Your Guide to the Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail: Section by Section
If you’re in search of a enjoyable technique to get energetic whereas exploring the attractive Toronto lakefront, that is the right possibility. In this information, we’re going to share what we found on the path part by part, highlighting factors of curiosity, key landmarks, and locations to seize a candy deal with alongside the way in which.
Looking for a Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail map? You can discover a detailed map from the Trans Canada Trail web site HERE.
East End: Kew-Balmy Beach to Harbourfront Centre
The japanese part of the Martin Goodman Trail is a vibrant mixture of sandy seashores, bustling boardwalks, and hidden parks. Get prepared to take in the solar, dodge some frisbees, and perhaps even spot a celeb or two (we hear The Beaches is a well-liked filming location!). It may clarify the squirrels’ shameless posing for footage.
Kew-Balmy Beach to Woodbine Beach (Roughly 2.2 kilometres)
This first stretch is all about these traditional seaside vibes, and the wood boardwalk runs parallel to the path. Think: mushy sand, crashing waves, swimming, kite flying, kayaking, and perhaps even a recreation of seaside volleyball. Don’t overlook your sunscreen and your shades! Of course, that is throughout peak season.
As for now, in late fall, there are fewer folks, however the sound of the lake is extra pronounced, and the odor of moist, vibrant leaves traces the trail.
Interestingly, this fashionable a part of Toronto, generally known as The Beaches or The Beach, has loads of streets that head south in direction of the lake from the principle thoroughfare, Queen Street East. We observed that lots of people merely drive their automobiles to the lifeless finish of the road, going through the lake, and sit back. One particular person was listening to jazz music; one other was studying a e-book.
Balmy Beach Park
Balmy Beach Park is a neighborhood favorite, with its sandy shores, playground, and picnic areas. It’s the right spot to chill out, take in the solar, and benefit from the views of Lake Ontario. Fun reality: the park is dwelling to the Balmy Beach Club, a historic landmark with an enchanting historical past. Did you realize it was based in 1896 as a males’s-only membership? Thankfully, these days are lengthy gone, and everybody’s welcome to get pleasure from this stunning spot!
Beaches N’ Cream
Barely a kilometre in, and we’re already stopping for ice cream! I feel I’m going to actually get pleasure from this hike! Beaches N’ Cream—most likely the very best title for an ice-cream spot, given its location, is a must-visit for its distinctive flavours and comfortable ambiance. I opted for one in all my faves, Salted Caramel. Gordana grabbed the Rum & Raisin, however they’ve an entire menu of tempting treats. Plus, they’ve a heated winter tent so to get pleasure from your ice cream through the colder months.
Donald D Summerville Olympic Pool
This out of doors pool is a well-liked spot for cooling off on a scorching summer time day. It’s named after Donald D Summerville, a Canadian Olympic swimmer who competed within the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics. Beside the pool, you’ll discover Toronto Beach Kayak, which presents a wide range of kayaks for lease, together with single kayaks, double kayaks, and tandem kayaks. They additionally supply stand-up paddleboards and canoes.
Woodbine Beach
Woodbine Beach is one in all Toronto’s hottest seashores, identified for its huge sandy shores, full of life boardwalk, and gorgeous views of the town skyline. It’s an important place to people-watch, play seaside volleyball, or just chill out and benefit from the solar. It’s additionally an important place to take a washroom break on the Woodbine Bathing Station.
It’s vital to notice that that is the place the Ashbridges Bay Parking lot is positioned in case you drive into the world to discover the Martin Goodman Trail.
Woodbine Beach to Tommy Thompson Park (Roughly 3 kilometres)
Leaving the full of life seaside scene behind, we ventured in direction of Tommy Thompson Park, a novel city wilderness. Granted, the path takes us alongside the sting of Tommy Thompson Park, however you could get an opportunity to do some birdwatching and perhaps even glimpse a deer! Most of this path runs alongside Lakeshore Blvd, so there’s much less nature available, however there are just a few hidden gems when you attain Leslie Street.
Ashbridges Bay
Ashbridges Bay is a haven for water sports activities fans. From windsurfers catching air and kitesurfers zipping throughout the waves to stand-up paddleboarders gliding alongside the shoreline, there’s all the time one thing to see. It’s additionally an important place to observe the sundown over the town skyline, with the colourful colors reflecting on the water.
Typha, 2020
Before we get to Leslie Lookout Park, I needed to level out “Typha, 2020,” a public artwork sculpture created by Canadian artist Dean Baldwin Lew, identified for creating sculptures that discover the connection between people and the pure world.
Canada Post Delivery Centre
Gordy and I’ve pushed, rollerbladed, and jogged alongside this stretch of Leslie Street many instances, however solely lately observed these cool footage of birds on stamp-like frames alongside the facet of the Canada Post Delivery Centre. I’m wondering if it’s connecting mail and Tommy Thompson Park down the road, which, in 2001, was designated an Important Bird Area.
Leslie Lookout Park
Walking this path gave us the right alternative to lastly take a look at Leslie Lookout Park. This newly constructed park presents gorgeous views of the Leslie Street Spit, with the Ship Channel and the encircling waterfront.
Gordy and I couldn’t cease taking footage. nside the little statement tower, we observed a dedication plaque for Claude Cormier. Claude Cormier was a celebrated Canadian panorama architect famend for his progressive and enjoyable designs that remodeled public areas into partaking areas.
His notable works embody Sugar Beach (which is on this path), Berczy Park (sure, that superior park with all of the canines across the fountain wanting on the bone on the prime), and 18 Shades of Gay and Place d’Youville in Montreal. Cormier’s design philosophy prioritized each magnificence and performance, usually incorporating vibrant colors and quirky components to spark pleasure.
The Leslie Street Lookout in Toronto, devoted to Cormier’s reminiscence, stands as a monument to his imaginative and prescient and dedication to creating spirited and significant public areas for everybody to get pleasure from. This new details about Cormier and the lookout level gave us an entire new perspective on the town, with the sprawling skyline juxtaposed in opposition to the huge expanse of Lake Ontario.
Tommy Thompson Park
Although we by no means entered Tommy Thompson Park, we’ve explored it earlier than, and it’s fairly giant. This park, also referred to as the Leslie Street Spit, is a man-made peninsula that extends into Lake Ontario. It’s a haven for birds, wildlife, and nature lovers. This can be the situation of a few of the most picturesque biking trails in Toronto.
Tommy Thompson Park to Cherry Beach (Roughly 4.5 kilometres)
This part of the path winds between Unwin Ave and Tommy Thompson Park’s huge and unimaginable pure ecosystem. At instances, you overlook that you’re within the metropolis till a smokestack or the CN Tower pops up from the highest of the timber to say hello.
Another cool factor is that a part of this path is within the flight path of planes touchdown at Billy Bishop Airport. Every every now and then, you’ll get one in all Porter’s propeller planes flying instantly above you, which is sort of cool, particularly in case you’re a airplane watcher. Maybe it’s coming from Boston?
Cherry Beach Sports Fields
Parts of this path take you proper up near Lake Ontario. You can’t take a foul image right here, with the timber and the lake within the backdrop. You may even catch a soccer recreation on the Cherry Beach Sports Fields.
Cherry Beach
Every time I come to this park, with its car parking zone close to the water, it jogs my memory of the kind of place you’d take your first date. Like these scorching and heavy make-out scenes in these teenage motion pictures! Errr, I digress; Cherry Beach is a well-liked spot for swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, paddleboarding, kite flying and picnicking. It’s additionally a favourite spot for canine walkers, so be ready for some furry encounters!
It’s rumoured that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was as soon as caught jogging right here together with his shirt off! Do what you’ll with that info! 😉
Cherry Beach to Sugar Beach (Roughly 3 kilometres)
As you stroll alongside Cherry St., it’s an odd combine of commercial buildings and a Netflix Studio. Then, while you cross the carry bridge over the Ship Channel, you’re onto Villiers Island. It is the house of Polson’s Pier, which incorporates Ballsports Polson Pier, The Docks Driving Range, Cabana Pool Bar, and the well-known Polson Pier Skyline Viewpoint.
Port Lands Revitalization
The greatest challenge taking place within the Port Lands is the Port Lands Revitalization, which facilities round Villiers Island. This large endeavor is reworking the world right into a vibrant waterfront neighborhood with new parks, public areas, and residential areas. They’re even creating a brand new island by splitting the mouth of the Don River! It’s an enchanting mix of commercial heritage and trendy city planning, with a give attention to sustainability and flood safety. Check out this hyperlink to study extra about this formidable challenge and see the way it’s reshaping Toronto’s waterfront.
Sherbourne Common
Sherbourne Common is a novel waterfront park with a give attention to sustainability. It contains a water channel, rain gardens, and public artwork installations. It’s an important place to study city ecology and benefit from the waterfront views.
Sugar Beach Park
It clearly will get its title from the Redpath Sugar Plant subsequent door, which has been there without end! Sugar Beach is a whimsical city park identified for its pink umbrellas, white Muskoka chairs, and ‘sugar cube’ installations. It’s a preferred spot for images, leisure, and having fun with the candy life.
Central: Sugar Beach to Ontario Place
This central part of the Martin Goodman Trail takes us by the center of Toronto’s waterfront, with bustling harbours, iconic landmarks, and hidden inexperienced areas. Get prepared for a mixture of city pleasure and waterfront tranquillity.
Sugar Beach to Norway Park (Roughly 2.7 Kilometres)
Leaving the candy serenity of Sugar Beach behind (I imply, it fairly actually smells like molasses), we stepped into the bustling coronary heart of Toronto’s waterfront—our yard! As you’ll think about, we’ve walked round right here one million instances! From ferry terminals, cultural hubs, and even a musical backyard, this part is all in regards to the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto, all whereas appreciating these quaint parks or respites. Keep your digital camera prepared and your senses on excessive alert.
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal + Harbour Square Park
The Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is the gateway to the Toronto Islands. Known for using his bike to work, you may take an image together with his statue on a double-seat bike with the ‘Jack’s Got Your Back’ inscription within the background!
When we lived within the Riverdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Jack was our MP! He was superb, and to at the present time, tno NDP MP can evaluate to him! Jack Layton was a charismatic politician and chief of the New Democratic Party of Canada from 2003 till his premature dying in 2011. His spouse, Olivia Chow, is at present the mayor of Toronto, persevering with his legacy of public service.
Please notice that the seagulls alongside the harbourfront are thieves identified for taking meals proper out of your palms. Once, one thief tried to take Gordy’s lemon sq. whereas she was consuming it!
Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is a cultural playground with one thing for everybody. Catch a stay efficiency, discover the artwork galleries, or wander by the craft studios. And if all that tradition makes you hungry, there are many eating places to fulfill your cravings. We’re speaking gourmand burgers, artisan pizzas, and even a lakeside patio with gorgeous views. There is all the time one thing happening!
HTO Park + HTO Beach
HTO Park is sort of a mini-vacation within the coronary heart of the town. Its sandy seaside is the right spot to chill out and take in the waterfront vibes. Don’t overlook to snap a selfie with the CN Tower within the background!
Toronto Music Garden
The Toronto Music Garden is a hidden oasis that blends nature and music in excellent concord. While music performs gently from the bushes, stroll by the themed gardens impressed by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, and see in case you can acknowledge the musical references. Even in case you’re not a classical music buff, you’ll admire the tranquility and fantastic thing about this distinctive area.
Billy Bishop Airport Entrance
As you strategy Norway Park, you’ll move by the doorway to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. I say entrance as a result of so as to get to the precise airport, it’s essential go underneath the lake! We’ve flown out of this airport a gazillion instances, and it’s palms down the very best airport and airline in Canada. It’s additionally a reminder that even within the coronary heart of the town, journey is only a brief flight away.
Born in Owen Sound, Billy Bishop was a Canadian First World War flying ace, formally credited with 72 victories, making him the highest Canadian and British Empire ace of the warfare. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Little Norway Park
Little Norway Park is a small however charming inexperienced area with a playground, benches, and a peaceable ambiance. It’s an important place to take a break from the hustle and bustle and luxuriate in a second of calmness earlier than persevering with your journey alongside the path. The park commemorates the Norwegian Brigade that skilled in Toronto throughout World War II, a logo of worldwide friendship and cooperation.
Little Norway Park to Ontario Place (Roughly 2.5 Kilometres)
This part of this fashionable Toronto waterfront path combines the previous and current, permitting you to get pleasure from native historic landmarks and the rise of recent city growth. We are amused by how the 2 come collectively in a single space so completely. It’s actually a novel perspective of the town’s evolving waterfront.
Coronation Park
Coronation Park is a sprawling inexperienced area with a royal connection. It was named in honor of the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937, which included the planting of the Royal Oak Tree. Today, with the Royal Oak and all the opposite large mature timber, it’s a preferred spot for picnics, sports activities, and waterfront views. Be positive to take a look at the remnants of the previous navy fort that after stood right here, a reminder of Toronto’s early historical past.
The Toronto Inukshuk Park
This park is dwelling to a placing inukshuk, a conventional Inuit stone landmark. Anyone who is aware of me is aware of how a lot I like the Indigenous tradition. The Inukshuk is my favorite factor about this park because it symbolizes friendship, welcome, and secure passage. Take a second to understand this distinctive piece of artwork and its cultural significance, a reminder of the Indigenous peoples who’ve inhabited this land for hundreds of years.
Ontario Place
Ontario Place is an enchanting mix of previous and future. My brothers and I’ve so many great reminiscences of this once-bustling amusement park. It’s now present process a serious redevelopment. Explore the remnants of the previous sights, like the enduring Cinesphere, and picture the way forward for this waterfront area. It’s a novel alternative to witness a chunk of Toronto’s historical past in transition.
West End: Ontario Place to Humber Bay Arch Bridge
The western part of the Martin Goodman Trail takes on a extra historic and grand really feel, with sprawling parklands, iconic landmarks, and glimpses of Toronto’s glamorous previous. Get able to step again in time and picture the town in its heyday.
Ontario Place to Palais Royale (Roughly 3 Kilometers)
This stretch of the path is a stroll by Toronto’s leisure and leisure historical past. From a former amusement park to a legendary dance corridor, you’ll get a way of how the town has developed whereas nonetheless retaining its vibrant spirit.
Exhibition Place
This is one other place that evokes unforgettable childhood reminiscences… In reality, I style these Tiny Tom Mini Donuts proper now as I write this! Exhibition Place is a sprawling complicated that has hosted numerous occasions, festivals, and exhibitions over time. Today, it’s nonetheless a hub of exercise, with live shows, sporting occasions, and cultural festivals going down all year long.
Marilyn Bell Park
This park is known as after Marilyn Bell, a Canadian long-distance swimmer who, at simply 16 years previous, grew to become the primary particular person to swim throughout Lake Ontario. It’s a becoming tribute to her braveness and dedication, with gorgeous views of the lake and a peaceable ambiance. The location was chosen as a result of she began in Youngstown, NY, and the park is the place she landed when she arrived on shore!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344
If you’ve ever pushed into Toronto alongside Lakeshore BLVD and observed this large Poppy on the facet of a constructing, it’s the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344. This department of the Royal Canadian Legion is a gathering place for veterans and their households. It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made by those that have served our nation and a spot to honour their legacy
The Boulevard Club
The Boulevard Club is a personal social membership with a wealthy historical past. It was based in 1905 and has been a hub of social exercise for generations of Torontonians. Peek by the gates and picture the elegant gatherings and full of life events which have taken place inside its partitions.
Palais Royale
The Palais Royale is a legendary dance corridor that has hosted a few of the greatest names in music historical past. From Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, this iconic venue has seen all of it. Imagine the dance ground filled with swing dancers, the music echoing by the corridor, and the power of a bygone period. Today, the Palais Royale nonetheless hosts occasions and live shows, holding the spirit of jazz and swing alive.
Palais Royale to Humber Arch Bridge (Roughly 3.5 kilometres)
This remaining stretch of the Martin Goodman Trail takes us on a journey by historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence. From monuments and memorials to sprawling parklands and iconic bridges.
Budapest Park + Freedom for Hungary Monument
Budapest Park is a tribute to the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and the refugees who sought freedom in Canada. The monument, a placing bronze sculpture, stands as a logo of hope and resilience. Walking by right here additionally jogs my memory of the time I spent exploring Budapest, a phenomenal metropolis!
Sunnyside Pavillion + Sunnyside Beach
Sunnyside Beach and the enduring Sunnyside Pavilion had been as soon as the epicenter of Toronto’s seaside scene. Imagine a time when amusement park rides lined the waterfront and bathers flocked to the sandy shores. Today, the pavilion stands as a reminder of these bygone days, whereas the seaside stays a preferred spot for sunbathing, swimming, and having fun with the lake views.
Sir Casimir Gzowski Park + Gzowski Monument
This park honors Sir Casimir Gzowski, a Polish-Canadian engineer who performed a key function in creating Canada’s infrastructure. The monument, a bronze bust atop a granite pedestal, stands as a testomony to his contributions to the nation.
Queen Elizabeth Way Monument
This monument commemorates the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Way, a serious freeway that connects Toronto to Niagara Falls. It’s a reminder of the infrastructure that hyperlinks our cities and facilitates journey and commerce. For us, it means one other thrilling day journey, street journey, or weekend getaway!
Humber Arch Bridge
The Humber Bay Arch Bridge is a surprising architectural landmark that marks the western finish of the Martin Goodman Trail. The final time I used to be right here was [insert date] when Gordana and I took our new scooters out for a trip! About midway dwelling, I received a flat tire and needed to stroll all the way in which again. But I digress; I actually like this bridge and its swish arches.
Experiencing This Waterfront Trail in Toronto for Yourself
And there you could have it—the Martin Goodman Trail, a part of the 29,000-kilometre Trans Canada Trail community, a waterfront wonderland that takes you on a journey by Toronto’s various landscapes, historical past, and tradition.
The Martin Goodman Trail makes up a portion of the Waterfront Trail, a 730 km route that stretches alongside the shores of Lake Ontario. From sandy seashores and bustling boardwalks to tranquil parks and iconic landmarks, this path has one thing for everybody.
Ok…now it’s time to go again to Kew Beach.
