THE BEACHES

The Beaches (or The Beach depending on who you ask) is Toronto's sandy playground and top destination for a bit some sunbathing, a bit of beach volleyball or maybe a stroll on the scenic boardwalk. The area features four beaches - Balmy, Scarboro, Kew and Woodbine - which means there's plenty of room for your family or to find a secluded spot. And, yes, the water is actually safe to swim in.  walk along the beach on the Boardwalk, relax by the water, or exercise along the Martin Goodman Trail which spans the waterfront all the way to the Humber River. Surrounded by cafes, yoga studios and clothing stores that dot the stretch along Queen, there's plenty of local spots to beat the heat on a summer afternoon.

The Toronto Beaches were first settled by the Ashbridge family.    Ashbridge's Bay Park is named after these pioneers from Philadelphia who settled here in 1793.  Originally farmers, Ashbridge's and a handful of other families farmed this district until the latter part of the 1800's. Many of The Beach properties were subdivided and bigger parcels of land were set aside for local parks.

The architectural house styles in the Beach has the greatest variety of of styles of any Toronto neighbourhood. Charming homes surrounded by tree-lined streets wind their way down to the lake. Original frame Beach cottages built in the latter half of the 1800's and the early 1900's have been updated and are still standing today, often with colourful floral displays created by the house-proud residents.

A large new home development known as The Beach stands in the old former Greenwood racetrack site . Heritage inspired custom built homes stretch across this site, featuring detached and semi-detached houses, town-homes, and a few low-rise condominiums.

Queen Street is the major shopping district, with many the stores and restaurants  featuring a beach motif.

And they are not just on Queen Street East, there is also plenty to explore up on Kingston Road.

The Beach also hosts several fairs and concerts throughout the year including StreetFest along Queen St. East, MainStage at Kew Gardens and Ovation of Jazz at the Balmy Beach Club.  Kew Gardens features the Kew Beach War Memorial and there is gazebo in the centre of the park which often is used as a stage for open air festivals and concerts.  The beautiful gardens are maintained there are enormous trees offering shade. The parks also boasts a baseball diamond and plenty of picnic tables.

Bus or streetcar routes connect to the subway stations or rapid transit lines via Queen Street, Kingston Road, Main Street, and Coxwell.  For motorists, it's a short drive to the DVP, the Gardiner and Lake Shore Blvd.

Local Trivia

The beloved Scarboro' Beach Amusement Park, opened in 1907. Rides like Chute the Chutes, Tunnel of Love and freak shows, funhouses, refreshment stands, bathing and dance pavilions, band concerts, and a host of other amusements entertained the holiday-makers.  It was bought by developers in 1925 and was then transformed into a peaceful residential neighbourhood.

Location

Woodbine in the west over to Beech in the east, up to Kingston Road in the North and South to the Lake.

Home to - Balmy Beach, Beaches, Beach Triangle, Kew Beach, The Beach

Electoral District - Beaches-East York

Neighbourhoods - The Beaches

BIA - The Beach BIA