Notice - Bridge Closure at Tommy Thompson Park: The pedestrian bridge is closed to the public on weekdays for PortsToronto operations in Cell 3. It is open for pedestrian use on weekends and holidays.
Located on the Toronto waterfront, Tommy Thompson Park is a unique urban wilderness minutes from downtown. The park is located on a man-made peninsula, known as the Leslie Street Spit, which extends five km into Lake Ontario and is over 500 hectares in size. It is located at the base or foot of Leslie Street where it meets Unwin Avenue, south of Lake Shore Boulevard East.
The Toronto Harbour Commissioners (now Ports Toronto) began construction of the spit in the late 1950s and, since that time, it has been the site for surplus fill from development sites around Toronto and dredged material from the Outer Harbour. Ports Toronto operates the site during weekdays and controls the ongoing lakefilling operations. Questions on lakefilling should be directed to Ports Toronto.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) currently owns the land and water bodies within TTP and has undertaken many large-scale restoration and creation projects to provide diverse habitats for a variety of wildlife.
The park represents the largest existing natural habitat on the Toronto waterfront. Wildflower meadows, cottonwood forests, coastal marshes, cobble beaches and sand dunes are just some of the habitats at TTP. Wildlife, especially birds, flourish at the park making it one of the best nature viewing areas in the GTA. Other recreational opportunities include hiking, cycling, rollerblading and fishing. Pets and unauthorized vehicles are not permitted within the park. Tommy Thompson Park is jointly managed by TRCA and City of Toronto.
Hours of Operation
Weekdays: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Weekends & Holidays: 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tommy Thompson Park is open all holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. A Park Interpreter is available at the Nature Centre weekends and holidays 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (April to October) and 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (November to March).
No Dogs/No Pets Policy
Because Tommy Thompson Park is a significant wildlife area there is a strict no dogs / no pets policy. There are no exceptions. This decision was made in 1985 during the Master Planning process for the TTP. The No Dogs policy is enforceable under City of Toronto bylaw Chapter 608. Contact 311 to submit a service request for a park use complaint if you see dogs/pets in Tommy Thompson Park.
Amenities
There are portable washrooms available for use at the entrance, across from the Nature Centre, Embayment D lookout and at the base of Peninsula C. A first aid kit is available in the Nature Centre and the Park Interpreter has a cell phone for non-urgent emergencies. The Nature Centre has a gathering area for the public. There is a total of 18km of trails at the park, including Multi-Use, Pedestrian and Nature trails.
Accessibility
The Multi-use Trail is fully paved and wheelchair accessible. The primary Pedestrian trails runs from the entrance to the bridge and is also fully accessible. Unfortunately the washroom facilities, with the exception of the portable toilet at the entrance, are not compatible with wheelchairs. The Shuttle Van is operated only during special events.
Educational Programs
A variety of educational programs, including school field trips and summer camps, are offered at Tommy Thompson Park - Please visit www.tommythompsonpark.ca/education.
Special Events
The park offers three annual special events: Winter Waterfowl in March; the Spring Bird Festival in May (trca.ca/spring-bird-festival); and the Butterfly Festival n August (trca.ca/butterflyfestival/).
Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station
The TTP Bird Research Station (TTPBRS) conducts bird research and monitoring on Peninsula D. They are open from April 1 to June 9 and August 5 to November 12 for 6 hours from dawn.
Parking
Free parking is available in the TTP lot located immediately southwest of the entrance gate. Free parking is also available on Leslie St. and Unwin Ave.
Travel by TTC
Take the 83 Jones S. bus south from Donlands station to Commissioners St. It is a short walk to the gates of the park.
OR
Take the 501 streetcar along Queen St. to Leslie St. It is a slightly longer walk south on Leslie St. to the gate or catch the 83 Jones S. Bus to Comissioners St. and walk from there.
For more information on TTC routes please visit their website.
For more information on Tommy Thompson Park, TRCA's parks and their locations visit the TRCA website.