The City is co-creating the Toronto Island Park Master Plan with Indigenous rights holders, local communities and the public. This means that we are collating thoughts, ideas and feedback in gradual stages and in a variety of ways to ensure your voices and ideas are reflected in the final Master Plan.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Lori Ellis at 416-394-2483.

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Level of Engagement

The Toronto Island Master Plan has been classified as a Collaborate project based on the International Association of Public Participation Public Participation Spectrum. This means we aim to partner with the public, stakeholders and rightsholders in each aspect of the design process, including the development of a vision, design options and the identification of a preferred design.

Engagement is an important and valuable part of the Master Plan development process. It makes up two of five key inputs that are influencing the Master Plan:

  • Indigenous engagement, including rights-bearing First Nations, the Métis community and urban Indigenous communities.
  • Public and community engagement and research, including Island and waterfront communities and businesses, all Island and water users and others.
  • Environmental assessment requirements, including flood mitigation constraints.
  • Technical expertise and advice, including the City and Toronto and Region Conservation. Authority (TRCA) staff and project consultants DTAH, Urban Metrics and FS Strategy.
  • Priorities from other planning documents and City policies, including TOcore, the Marine Use Strategy and others.

The advisory and placekeeping groups include communities with interests or mandates that are directly connected to the Toronto Island Park Master Plan and who can provide insight to guide the development of the Master Plan.

Business Reference Groups

The City holds business reference meetings with Island and waterfront businesses to review and discuss key issues emerging from the Business Strategy. They meet as needed over the course of the process.

Community Advisory Committee

A group made of waterfront-based, city-wide and Indigenous communities that have a mandate or interest that connects to the Toronto Island Master Plan.

Hanlan’s Point Beach Working Group

This working group was established to help shape the future of Hanlan’s Point Beach. The Hanlan’s Point Working Group consists of 20 participants, including regular beach users, beach advocates and representatives of organizations related to the beach. The Working Group includes a diverse range of Hanlan’s Beach users, with representatives from across the 2SLGBTQ+ spectrum, nudist and heterosexual communities who use the beach, people of different ages and abilities, and people who are a part of equity deserving communities.

Indigenous Placekeeping and Advisory Groups

Indigenous Placemaking Advisory Circle (IPAC)

The Indigenous Placemaking Advisory Council was a group convened by the City’s Indigenous Affairs Office. It was comprised of 10 to 15 individuals representing a range of Indigenous organizations and perspectives.

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN)

These discussions include representatives of the MCFN, Elders, knowledge keepers and others who connect about placekeeping on Toronto Island from the Michi Saagiig perspective.

Youth City-Building and Art/Design Mentorship

As part of the project, the City created a paid mentorship opportunity for local youth ages 13 to 24 to participate in a design/art project. Three youth will work with an artist on the project team to help develop an art or design component for the project.

Technical Advisory Committee

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is comprised of staff representing 20 to 30 City divisions or other public agencies (Waterfront Toronto, Ports Toronto, and others). The TAC provides advice, technical guidance and helps connect the Master Plan to other concurrent, related initiatives.

Community Engagement Phase 1 focused on developing a collective vision, values and guiding principles to guide the development of the Toronto Island Master Plan. The What We Heard Summary Report consolidates insights and outcomes from all engagement activities and tools that happened in this phase.

Download the What We Heard: Phase 1 Summary Report.

April 2021

Virtual Indigenous Placekeeping Forum

On April 28, over 300 people joined the virtual Indigenous Placekeeping Forum to listen and learn about Indigenous placekeeping. The event included an opening invocation, an Elders and knowledge-holders panel and presentations on perspectives on Indigenous placekeeping.

Online Survey

From March 17 to April 9, over 5,000 participants provided insights on their Toronto Island Park experiences and how they would like to experience it in the future.

Download the Survey Summary Report.

Interactive Map

An Interactive Map on Social Pinpoint allowed participants to share their experiences and ideas and rate what others have said. The online map was visited by over 4,000 people and received approximately 800 comments and thousands of data points.

Download the Social Pinpoint Synthesis Report.

Engagement Toolkit

Participants who preferred to engage offline were able to download or receive a printed engagement toolkit and prepaid return envelope.

April 7, 2021

Visioning Workshop

On April 7, a visioning workshop included an overview of the Toronto Island Park Master Plan process, preliminary outcomes from pre-engagement, project updates from the City’s staff and DTAH (landscape architect for the Toronto Island Park Master Plan) and a question-and-answer session followed by interactive discussions.

Download the Public Visioning Workshop Summary Report.

March 2021

Indigenous Focus Groups

From March 28 to March 31, the project team held a series of workshops with specific Indigenous communities, including women, youth and Two Spirit people. During these focus groups, participants shared their thoughts, ideas, vision and priorities for the Toronto Islands.

Download the Indigenous Engagement Summary Report.

Launch Ceremony

On March 17, the City and community and Indigenous partners formally launched the Toronto Island Park Master Plan and public engagement process in a virtual Launch Ceremony. Over 250 people tuned in to watch an invocation and blessing by a Mississauga Elder, hear from City and Indigenous leaders and learn about the Toronto Island Park Master Plan.

February 2021

Indigenous Placemaking Advisory Circle (IPAC)

Participants at the IPAC meeting shared their thoughts, ideas, vision and priorities for the Toronto Islands. The IPAC is convened by the City’s Indigenous Affairs Office and comprises of 10 to15 individuals representing a range of Indigenous organizations and perspectives.

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN)

Participants at the first MCFN meeting shared their thoughts, ideas, vision and priorities for the Toronto Islands. The meeting was attended by representatives of the MCFN, Elders, knowledge keepers and others who represent the Michi Saagiig perspective.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting 1

Participants at the first CAC meeting shared their thoughts, ideas, vision and priorities for the Toronto Islands. The CAC comprises of waterfront-based, city-wide, and Indigenous communities that have a mandate or interest that connects to the Toronto Island Master Plan.

Download the February 2021 Community Advisory Committee Meeting Summary.

November 2020 to January 2021

Pre-Engagement

The City hosted several pre-engagement focus groups and interviews with Indigenous audiences, community-based audiences and internal City divisions and extended partners to get a preliminary understanding of the issues, existing conditions and opportunities on Toronto Island.

The pre-engagement meetings introduced the project and explored how participants wanted to be engaged in the Master Plan process.

Download the Pre-Engagement Summary Report.

Toronto Island Stories

Island Stories is a collective storytelling project that captures the unique ways Torontonians from all walks of life experience Toronto Island.

We have heard from families who have lived on the Island for decades, visitors who have enjoyed concerts, ferry rides, and the island maze, individuals who have celebrated special moments on the island, and even stories of a lighthouse ghost! The campaign has provided an opportunity for reflection as we collectively create the Toronto Island Park Master Plan.

Share your story on the Island Stories page and inspire your thoughts for the future of the Island.

August to September 2020

Toronto Island Park Public Life Study

A Public Life Study was undertaken to better understand how the Island is used. Data was collected through a combination of behavioural observation and surveys.

Community Engagement Phase 2 focused on building on the collective vision, values and guiding principles developed in Phase 1, identify Big Ideas and develop a Draft Demonstration Plan. The What We Heard Summary Report consolidates insights and outcomes from all engagement activities and tools that happened in this phase.

Download the:

August 2022

Summer Pop-Up Events

On August 13, the project team held a series of pop-ups across seven locations on the Island to share information and key ideas about the Master Plan. Each location focused on different topics and ideas related to different areas of the Island, including Indigenous placekeeping, Island transportation, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, wayfinding and others.

March 2022

Open House

On March 1, a virtual open house was conducted using a drop-in format. Participants were able to download materials ahead of time and look through the proposed ideas and actions in the Preliminary Demonstration Plan before joining breakout rooms to chat with the project team.

Download the main open house presentation.

Each room shared ideas from one of five themes:

Deep Dives

From March 3 to March 24, the project team hosted a series of Deep Dive workshops with the goal of going into further detail on specific topics from the Preliminary Demonstration Plan. The deep dives were split into the following themes:

Download the Deep Dive summary.

February 2022

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting 3

On February 16, the project team hosted the third CAC meeting. Representatives from approximately 20 on-island and community organizations, waterfront organizations, and city-wide organizations participated. The purpose of this meeting was to share and discuss the Preliminary Toronto Island Park Demonstration Plan, including the proposed ideas and actions for each of the plan’s lenses.

Download the meeting summary.

December 2021

Virtual Towards Belonging Forum

On December 9, over 100 people joined the virtual Towards Belonging Form where community and thought leaders, artists and experts were invited to discuss the concept of ‘belonging’ in public spaces and how we might be able to embed this thinking into the Toronto Island Master Plan to create a park that is truly open, accessible and welcoming of all.

November 2021

Virtual Placekeeping Dialogue Site Walk

On November 19, the City hosted a Placekeeping Dialogue with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) for the Toronto Islands Park Master Plan. The meeting included participants from the MCFN Culture and Events Staff as well as Michi Saagiig Elders and knowledge holders. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a visual overview of the park, present the placekeeping ideas within the context of the existing park spaces and seek input and feedback on these ideas. The meeting was held in lieu of an in-person park visit.

October 2021

Focus Groups and Targeted Discussions

From October 20 to December 6, the project team hosted 12 dialogues with key communities, City staff and Island stakeholders to present emerging ideas. The goal of these meetings was to vet ideas, ensure ideas align with other initiatives and strategies, and overall ensuring the project is on the right track. Conversations included:

Focus Groups:

Targeted Discussions:

  • Artscape
  • Boating Mooring and Waterfront Access
  • Centreville
  • Hanlan’s Point Beach
  • Heritage
  • Infrastructure
  • Island as a Natural Resource
  • Island Partners
  • Island Programs and Activation
  • Island Tourism
  • Marine Strategy

September 2021

Disability Steering Committee

On September 28, the project team met with the City’s Disability Steering Committee for a project update and to workshop some emerging ideas around accessibility. Some of the themes discussed included: wayfinding and information, accessible pathways, staff support, sensory considerations and water/beach access.

August 2021

Youth Ambassador Pop-ups

Over 150 young people from across Toronto were engaged through a series of in-person and online pop-up events designed and led by the Toronto Island Master Plan Youth Ambassador team. The team of 10 Ambassadors ranged in age from 15 to 27 and collectively spoke nine different languages. The team worked together throughout the summer to design and deliver events that engaged their peers and communities in the Toronto Island Master Plan’s Big Ideas.

Download the summary report.

Online Survey

From August 4 to August 16, 1,500 people participated in an online survey focused on current offerings at the Island including transportation, food and attractions, and what amenities and experiences park visitors would like to have access to in the future.

July 2021

Virtual Big Ideas Workshop

Over 100 people attended a virtual workshop to provide feedback on the proposed Big Ideas gathered during Community Engagement. This event included an overview of the Master Plan, an update on Phase 1 outcomes, and a presentation on the proposed Big Ideas. Discussions focussed on four main themes: Environment; Visitor Experience; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and History, Culture and Storytelling.

Download the Big Ideas Public Workshop Summary Report.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting 2

The CAC was joined by the City’s Technical Advisory Committee to discuss and co-develop the Big Ideas the emerged from Community Engagement Phase 1.The goal was to have City staff collaborate with members of the public in vetting the Big Ideas and provide valuable insight on feasibility.

Download the July 2021 Community Advisory Committee:

June 2021

Big Ideas Activity

From May 27 and June 20, the public was invited to review, rate and comment on preliminary Big Ideas from the Master Plan as well as to submit Big Ideas they thought would bring the collective vision to life. In total, we collected over 140 ideas, 75,000 ratings and 900 comments.

Download the Big Ideas Summary Report.

Community Engagement Phase 3 focused on confirming the direction of the Master Plan by refining the Demonstration Plan and its site-specific approaches and confirming priorities for implementation.

Download the Phase 3 What We Heard Report.

September 2023

Online Survey

From August 25 to September 24, an online survey reported back to the community on “what we heard from Hanlan’s Point Beach conversations, illustrating how this feedback was incorporated into the Draft Master Plan. Over 800 participants provided feedback on the outcomes and the overall satisfaction with the Hanlans Point Beach community engagement process.

Download the survey summary.

February to March 2023

Hanlan’s Point Beach Community Engagement

In-person and virtual events were held in response to concerns from 2SLGBTQ+ communities and Hanlan’s Point Beach users regarding the Draft Master Plan and ideas proposed for Hanlan’s Point. These events included:

  • A Hanlan’s Point Beach Community Workshop on February 27 (in person) and March 9 (virtually)
  • A thought exchange activity related to creating an event space on the lawn at Hanlan’s Point,

Feedback from these engagements included:

  • Opposition to the proposed formalized event space at Hanlan’s Point.
  • Concerns for the safety of queer communities and the loss of queer spaces.
  • A desire to elevate the queer significance and history of Hanlan’s Point.
  • Calls to protect beach ecology.

In response to the community’s concerns, the City:

  • Removed the proposal to formalize the existing event space on the lawn at Hanlan’s Point from the Draft Master Plan.
  • Added a new Master Plan lens called “Honouring Queer Significance”. This is a change from the originally communicated “Centring Queer Heritage, Safety and Community Wellbeing”. The change was made to simplify the title.
  • Designated the new beach and sand dunes south of Hanlan’s Point as part of Hanlan’s Point beach, so that the beach now officially stretches from the Airport all the way to Gibraltar Point.
  • Designated the entire beach from the airport to Gibraltar Point as Clothing Optional to help alleviate crowding and improve user safety.
  • Negotiated a change in venue with the organizers of Electric Island.
  • Erected two Progress Pride flags to delineate the historically queer section of the Beach.
  • Erected new signage identifying Hanlan’s Point Beach as a historically queer space.
  • Erected new fencing along Beach Road between the north and south sections of the beach where the impacts of erosion are most prevalent to prevent park users from attempting to access the beach there.

Download the engagement summary report.

November 2022

Open House

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm, the City hosted an open house at Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre. Over 80 community members attended, including some members of the project’s Community Advisory Committee and the Ward 10 – Spadina–Fort York City Councillor.

Download the meeting summary.

Download information panels: