City of Toronto staff report on the Toronto Island Park Master Plan

Toronto Island is one of Toronto’s greatest natural and cultural assets. The recommended Toronto Island Park Master Plan provides a roadmap to guide improvements and management of Toronto Island Park over the next 25 years.  

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan includes a vision, values, and guiding principles with six over-arching goals, and more than 70 actions and recommendations for implementation over 25+ years.   

Toronto lsland is a sacred and significant place for Indigenous communities. It is a place of respite in the city and is culturally significant to many Torontonians, including 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The Island accommodates sensitive ecosystems, residential communities and diverse recreation amenities and serves as a destination for over 1.5 million visitors each year. 

Staff report recommendations 

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan takes a light-touch approach to protect Island habitats and enhance the experience of visitor to the Island. The Master Plan includes near-, mid- and long-term action items, with many of the near-term items already being implemented, including many customer experience enhancements.  

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan is organized around six goals: 

1. Revealing an Indigenous Place.
2. Supporting the Natural Environment.
3. Improving Access and Connection.
4. Enhancing the Visitor Experience.
5. Elevating Equity and Belonging.
6. Celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ Significance. 

The goals and related recommendations were developed in consultation with Indigenous rights holders, local stakeholders and the public. The public consultation was robust and inclusive – spanning over four years. 

The recommendations provide a comprehensive road map for investment, partnership, engagement and other actions to realize the plan’s vision Here is a sample of some of the near-term priorities under each of the six goals:  

1. Revealing an Indigenous place

Near-term priorities include: 

• Identifying space at Snake Island to support Indigenous ceremony and programming. Co-developing visions with Indigenous communities for cultural markers, gateways, and the cultural narrative trail.

2. Supporting the natural environment

Near-term priorities include:  

• Implementing flood mitigation improvements 
• Identifying opportunities to expand, improve and protect habitat.  
• Developing and Island Charter to help all Island Visitors see themselves as Stewards of the Park 
• Optimizing Park Operations and Management practices to protect nature.

3. Improving access and connection

Near-term priorities include:  

• Ferry Fleet Replacement  
• Upgrading Jack Layton Ferry Terminal 
• Expanding Bike Rentals 

Establishing information hubs, new Island Map and adding wayfinding signs.

4. Enhancing Visitor Experience

Near-term priorities include: 

• Updating the website 
• Expanding four-season facilities 
• Improving food and beverage options and services with new food and beverage contracts with multiple vendors 
• Studying feasibility of a Welcome Centre 

5. Elevating Equity and Belonging

Near-term priorities include: 

• Park accessibility improvements 
• Studying the Island’s Cultural Heritage in collaboration with different communities 
• Improving access to underused park areas 

6. Celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ significance

Near-term priorities include:  

• A Community Safety Strategy for Hanlan’s Island and Beach. 
• Restoring and protecting Hanlan’s Beach dune habitat. 
• Developing a Hanlan’s Cultural Heritage Study. 
• Acknowledging the significance of Hanlan’s Point to the 2SLGBTQ+ Community (i.e. interpretive sign/marker) 

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan will go before the City’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee before going to Toronto City Council for consideration.  

Report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee can be found on the City’s webpage. 

For more information about the Toronto Island Park Master Plan visit the City’s webpage. 

Images will be available on the City’s website.  

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