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 (TTP) is a unique urban wilderness minutes from downtown. The park is located on a constructed landform, 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 PortsToronto) began construction of the spit in the late 1950s and, was built using clean construction debris (brick and rubble) along with surplus fill from development sites around Toronto and dredged material from the Outer Harbour. Care and control of the property is the responsibility of PortsToronto on weekdays. Lakefilling is not currently taking place and questions should be directed to PortsToronto.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) owns the land and water bodies within TTP and jointly manages the property with the City of Toronto. Following the Tommy Thompson Park Master Plan, TRCA 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 motorized vehicles are not permitted within the park. Pedal assisted e-bikes are authorized, but all other use of motorized bikes/scooters/vehicles require authorization.
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 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (April to October) and 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (November to March).
No Dogs/No Pets Policy
Tommy Thompson Park is a significant wildlife area with a strict no dogs/no pets policy. Pets are not permitted in the park, except for registered service animals. 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 fully serviced washrooms available for use at the Entrance Pavilion, and portable washrooms located across from the Nature Centre, Embayment D lookout, on Peninsula D by the Bird Research Station 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 issues (available on weekends and holidays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (April through October) and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (November through March)). 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. Bicycles are only permitted on the Multi-Use Trail. Pedestrian and Nature trails are for pedestrians only.
Accessibility
The Multi-Use Trail is fully paved and wheelchair accessible. The Pedestrian trail is a granular surface that runs from the entrance to the bridge and is also accessible. The Entrance Pavilion washrooms and the portable toilets are accessible.
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 two annual special events: 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, weather permitting. Visitors are welcome on weekends and holidays during the morning hours. The Station will be closed if it is too windy and if there is precipitation.
Parking
Free parking is available in the TTP lot located immediately southwest of the entrance gate. Overnight parking is prohibited. Street parking is available as posted 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 park entrance.
OR
Take the 501 streetcar along Queen St. to Leslie St. It is a slightly longer walk south on Leslie St. to the entrance or catch the 83 Jones S. Bus to Commissioners 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.