WHAT IS TORONTO ISLAND?
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario. The islands are located just offshore from Toronto, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour. The islands are a popular recreational destination, and are home to a small residential community and to the Toronto Island Airport.
WHY AREN'T THERE ANY CARS ON TORONTO ISLAND?
The islands comprise the largest urban car-free community in North America, though some service vehicles are permitted. Recreational bicyclists are accommodated on the ferries, and bicycles can be rented on the islands as well.
HOW BIG IS TORONTO ISLAND?
The area of the islands is about 230 ha. The largest, outermost island, called Centre Island, is crescent-shaped and forms the shoreline of both the Eastern and Western Channels.
HOW MANY ISLANDS ARE THERE?
Algonquin (Sunfish Island) and Olympic are two of the other major islands. What is commonly called Ward's Island is actually the eastern end of Centre Island.
Confusingly, Centre Island Park is located on Middle Island, which is as a consequence often mistaken for Centre Island. Centre Island is sometimes referred to as Toronto Island.
WHAT IS CENTREVILLE?
The central area hosts Centreville, a children's amusement park which was built in 1967 with a turn-of-the-century theme. The park includes a minature railway and Far Enough Farm, and is open daily in summer.
HOW MANY BEACHES ARE ON TORONTO ISLAND?
There are several swimming beaches on the islands, including Centre Island Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan's Point Beach and Ward's Island Beach. Hanlan's Point Beach includes an officially recognized clothing optional section
Recreational boating has been popular on the islands for over a century. The Islands are home to three yacht clubs and several smaller clubs. There is also a dragon boat regatta course and grandstand.
DOES ANYONE LIVE ON TORONTO ISLAND?
A community of 262 cottage homes still remain on the Toronto Islands, concentrated at the eastern end of the island chain on Ward's Island and Algonquin Island. Under the terms of the Toronto Islands Residential Community Stewardship Act there are strict rules under provincial law governing the buying and selling of these homes.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF TORONTO ISLAND?
Prior to European colonization, the Toronto area was home to various native tribes, including the Ojibwa who were the last people to occupy the area. The peninsula and surrounding sand-bars that now form the Toronto Islands were first surveyed in 1792 by Lieutenant Bouchette of the Royal Navy.
In 1897, the Hanlan's Point Stadium was built alongside the amusement park for the Toronto Maple Leaf baseball team. The stadium was rebuilt several times over the years, and in 1914, Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run into the waters of Lake Ontario from this stadium. In the 1920s the Maple Leaf team moved to a new stadium on the mainland.
To the descendants of the Ojibwa, now the Mississauga First Nation, the Toronto Islands are sacred land. Their aboriginal title to the islands has been acknowledged by the federal government of Canada. The land is currently claimed by the City of Toronto, and the Mississaugas are considering how they will exercise their aboriginal title and have a presence there.
