Located on Toronto’s waterfront in the Port Lands, 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 kilometres into Lake Ontario.

The park represents some of 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 Tommy Thompson Park. Wildlife, especially birds, flourish at the park, which provides one of the best nature watching areas in the Greater Toronto Area. The park also provides opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking, cycling, rollerblading and fishing.

The Toronto Harbour Commissioners (now Toronto Port Authority) began construction of the spit in the late 1950s and, since that time, it has been the site for the disposal of dredged material from the Outer Harbour and surplus fill from development sites within Toronto.

In 1989, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) completed an extensive provincial environmental assessment and planning process which resulted in the creation of the Tommy Thompson Park Master Plan. In 1992, an Addendum was prepared and in 1995, TRCA received approval to proceed with implementation from the Ministry of the Environment. This planning process became the foundation for the creation of a unique urban wilderness feature on Toronto's waterfront.

Until recently, limited funds were available to implement the Master Plan with the City of Toronto contributing funding for interim management. A funding partnership between TRCA and Waterfront Toronto was established to realize key components of the Master Plan including natural area enhancements and the installation of park infrastructure.

The main objectives of the Tommy Thompson Park Master Plan are to:

• Preserve significant species;
• Protect environmentally significant areas;
• Enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat; and
• Enhance public recreational opportunities.
   

The Natural Area Enhancement Plan includes a Terrestrial Natural Area Enhancement Plan and an Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Plan. While improvements to the park infrastructure include: park gateway; environmental shelter and washroom facility; nature viewing and park amenities; ecological research station; and the trail system.

TRCA is responsible for the development and implementation of the Master Plan and the annual operating program, which includes both biological and public interest activities.

Location: Tommy Thompson Park is located at the base or foot of Leslie Street where it meets Unwin Avenue, south of Lake Shore Boulevard East.

Visiting Tommy Thompson Park?: Tommy Thompson Park is open to the public year-round on weekends and holidays, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to March and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March to November.

For more information: Visit http://www.tommythompsonpark.ca/ or contact Tommy Thompson Park by Phone at 416-661-6600 ext 5770 or Email ttp@trca.on.ca