Leslie Lookout Park and beach

Built like the silos nearby and throughout Toronto's harbour the new Leslie Lookout Park is along Leslie Street, near Tommy Thompson Park and includes an artificial beach (no water access), similar to the HTO Park and Sugar Beach. The 44-foot concrete silo is accessible from a circular walkway and bridge and you can look out to the port and any ships that are moored nearby in Turning Basin. Inside the lookout is a golden heart in memorial of the landscape architect Claude Cormier.

The multi-use Martin Goodman Trail is across Leslie Street so unless you see the silo peaking up on the west side of the street you might not notice the park. The newest park in the Port Lands was opened in September of 2024 by Mayor Olivia Chow. I was impressed with their use of porous asphalt that allows the drainage of the reimagined industrial site without having to be connected to the stormwater system.

Inside the silo

From the City of Toronto, "The new park hosts a wide range of features that include: A Miyawaki-inspired (Japanese botanical technique to create density with native plants) mini-forest comprised of approximately 5,000 plants representing 45 species including 2,470 trees, 2,473 shrubs and 1,260 forbs and grasses. A public drinking fountain and bottle fill station at the base of the lookout tower.
25 Muskoka-style chairs on the beach, stadium seating leading up to the lookout tower as well as benches and picnic tables throughout the park as well as 50 spots for cyclists to lock their bikes and a bike repair station."

To honour the significance of the site and the involvement of Indigenous communities in shaping the park design, the opening ceremony took place in a circle and included a ceremonial fire. The park itself includes Indigenous placemaking elements including the lookout tower which has openings to the sky and the four cardinal directions."

Mayor Olivia Chow said “Leslie Lookout Park marks the dawn of a new chapter in the continued development of our beautiful city. This thoughtfully designed space invites visitors to immerse themselves in a harmonious blend of breathtaking views and serene landscapes. As you explore the beautiful beach, you’ll find more than just a park — you’ll discover a haven. Leslie Lookout Park is set to become a cherished retreat that will invite everyone to pause, take in the view and rejuvenate.”

Winter Stations art installations at Woodbine Beach until March 30

Toronto's only reason to go on the sandy beach in mid-winter continues from Family Day (Feb 17) until the end of March (Mar 30), 2025 at Woodbine Beach. The free public exhibition features six temporary works of art, or art-like, things. 'Slice of Sun' is shown in the photo at top.

Inside Slice. Slice of Sun by Cláudia Franco, Mariam Daudali, Tom Byrom (Portugal)

Winter Stations is an annual, single-stage international design competition that places the art around, or adjacent to the lifeguard towers along Kew and Woodbine beaches. While the beaches are busy during the summer, it is nice that the works bring people to the beach in the cold of winter. For 2025 the theme is Dawn, explained as follows.

From the Winter Stations website, "Dawn marks the beginning of a new era for Winter Stations as it steps into its 11th year, symbolizing a fresh chapter in its creative journey. Just as the first light of morning breaks through the darkness, the exhibition will explore the moments of profound change that redefine and shape our existence, highlighting the delicate process of shedding old layers to emerge as something new. Dawn represents the shift from night to day, and this year, designers are invited to explore how Winter Stations can evolve, and to consider the future of the exhibition and its relationship with the public and the environment. "

Parade by Jesse Beus (USA)

Peak by University of Waterloo School of Architecture and the Department of Architectural Engineering (Canada)

See more of Winter Stations after the jump.

Island Paradise Dominican Republic

This is our third time in the Caribbean heaven on the island paradise of the Dominican Republic. We are working our way around the island from Puerta Plata to Punta Cana and now down to La Romana with the stellar resort called Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville. DR is toasty warm, beautiful beaches and inexpensive as a fall getaway.

So far this resort is perfection in the hot tropical sun. Great resort, excellent food and service and fun entertainment, yesterday we watched a night time circus.

We went ATV and dune buggy riding yesterday and can recommend the excursion (Crazy Wheels) but would strongly suggest using goggles and and a bandana to keep the dust at bay, sunglasses alone do not cut it.

Our next excursion is a tour of La Romana and we are looking forward to Wednesday.

Toronto Waterfront Festival 2024

Visitors were enjoying the hot day in Toronto, why not they were down at Sugar Beach for the latest edition of the Waterfront Festival? The toasty weekend of September 14-15, 2024 was capped off with the free festival that didn't come with a giant duck, however it wasn't duckless because there were tiny rubber ducks and a more medium-sized inflatable duck (a 10 foot tall duckling).

Redpath Sugar was on site as well, although it looks like they have dropped off as the main sponsor (though they did sponsor live music and pop-up entertainment) and that could be why the festival was asking for donations towards the event.

A very popular attraction of the Waterfront festival was the Canine Watersports Canada with their dock jumping dogs - not only were the dogs cute, they really could jump into the refreshing pool of water. Just don't be in the shake it off zone!

Walking a pair of the jumping dogs

Vendors were on hand joining the Canadian military, some pirates and occasionally, the tall ship Empire Sandy dropped by.

@jmhcet dog jumps off dock into pool at the #Toronto #waterfrontfestival down at #sugarbeach. canine waterspout show #festival #torontowaterfrontfestival ♬ Who Let The Dogs Out - Original - The Doggies

Toronto Buskerfest 2024

It's a Buskerfest weekend at Woodbine Beach! "Fearless meets Funny" from August 30 to September 2, 2024. Entrance is free with a voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto.

More from the Buskerfest website, "It’s spontaneous, it’s outrageous; it’s fun, funny, and fabulous – there is something for everyone at the Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy. Be prepared to witness something spectacular around every corner from circus artistry, to daredevils, feats of the impossible, and so much more at Ontario’s largest gathering of buskers from around the world."

Hanlan's Point Rainbow Road

The World's largest rainbow road is on Toronto Islands at Hanlan's Point along the city's first nude beach. It is called the "Long Path to Equality" by queer artist Travis Myers and is almost 2,000 feet long and was designed as a tribute to the LGBTQ2+ community and was unveiled in time for Pride Month 2024.

Hanlan's is now an entirely clothing-optional beach

You can take a Toronto ferry or water taxi to Hanlan's Point

It starts at the road sign at the Island's Beach Road and Lakeshore Avenue and runs towards the Island Airport. On the post is a sign from the City designating the area as a historical queer space and the site of the first Pride in 1971.

Toronto Beaches Ribfest 2024

You know what I like better than possibly great ribs? Good ribs and smaller lineups, plus beer! The Toronto Beaches Northern Heat Rib and Beer Fest is at Woodbine Park from June 14-16, 2024 and there are big lineups you can join, if so inclined.

The website says free entry but the sign at the gate says $2 admission, plus free bag searches. 

The yellow, bendy blow up is wiggling the way to rib Alley, five rib powerhouses with banners and trophies and enough barbecue sauce to wipe out half of Toronto if the bbq dam breaks.

My choice from the Kentucky Smokehouse was delicious; half rack of ribs, slaw and cornbread. Then over to the only booze tent for $9 Cowbell Brewing Co brews to wash it down.

It's family friendly with games and concessions for the kids along with live entertainment through the day.

Typical ribfest prices

Toronto supervised beaches open June 1, 2024

The City's ten supervised beaches on Lake Ontario are open for beach maintenance and lifeguard supervision beginning June 1, 2024 from 10:30am till 7:30pm. Toronto does not recommend swimming in the lake without supervision.

Of the ten supervised beaches four are on the Toronto Islands, one is in the Portlands, one is near High Park and two are in the east. The locations are as follows.

Bluffer's Beach

Centre Island Beach

Cherry/Clarke Beach

Gibraltar Point Beach

Hanlan's Point Beach (note the whole beach is clothing optional now)

Kew-Balmy Beach

Marie Curtis Park East Beach

Sunnyside Beach

Ward's Island Beach

Woodbine Beach

And don't try to swim at HTO Beach and Sugar Beach. They are urban beaches only made for pretending that you are going to swim while relaxing on the sand or sitting on Muskoka Chairs under permanent umbrellas.

Toronto Beaches Winter Stations 2024

Family Day is back in town and so is the annual art installation Winter Stations along the Woodbine Beach area of Toronto. The public exhibition starts February 19 and features seven winners of the design competition that requires participants to design a temporary installation around the existing utilitarian lifeguard towers.

Nimbus. I thought it was popcorn but it was a storm cloud

The view from inside

The proposals are judged and then the winners will work with the fabrication team to build the winning proposals which will be exhibited for approximately six weeks. Entering the contest is free and so is the exhibition so it is a nice reason to walk around the lake front in the middle of winter.

We Caught A UFO!

There is a lineup to get inside the UFO

For 2024 the theme is Resonance, for memories or moments that have made an impact to the collective narrative. Designers are also asked to provide recommendations for environmentally friendly ways to dispose or recycle the installation at the termination of the exhibition.

A Kaleidoscopic Odyssey

twin kaleidoscopes on the beach

It made great photo opportunities

The winners are; We Caught A UFO! (Croatia and Australia), A Kaleidoscopic Odyssey (Canada), Nimbus (Canada), Making Waves (Canada), Bobbin’ (Canada), Winteraction (Canada and Iran) and Nova (Canada).

Bobbin'

Winteraction, without AR

A screenshot of Winteraction with Augmented Reality

NOVA

Inside NOVA

Making Waves. The crank case is disconnected and the waves don't wave. This installation is off the beach and can be found at Woodbine Park (Queen St E at Northern Dancer Blvd)

You can check out some of my previous coverage of the Winter Stations on the links below.

2015 Winter Stations
2016 Winter Stations
2017 Winter Stations
2018 Winter Stations
2019 Winter Stations
2020 Winter Stations

2021 Winter Stations became Spring Stations
2022 Winter Stations
2023 Winter Stations