Categories: Travel

This wilderness park with a floating bridge is just minutes from downtown Toronto

Photo via Alexander Little on Shutterstock

Ready for your next outdoor adventure? Cut your travel time back and explore one of Toronto’s wilderness experiences. This man-made peninsula found on the water’s edge in the Port Lands is none other than Tommy Thompson Park. This nature reserve is an outdoor lovers paradise – here’s what to know.

According to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Tommy Thompson Park represents some of Toronto’s largest “existing natural habitats” on the waterfront. Wildflower meadows, cottonwood forests, coastal marshes, cobble beaches, and sand dunes can be found here.

What to do at Tommy Thompson Park

Besides the beautiful skyline view, per its official site, the park is considered one of the best places for bird-watching in the city. Over 300 recorded species have been spotted here.

It’s also a great destination for wildlife viewing and fishing.

Another popular attraction at Tommy Thompson Park is the floating pedestrian bridge.

Visitors can also go for a hike, biking, rollerblading and when the snow hits, snowshoeing.

Once you’ve taken in the views, enjoy the nature preserve. Tommy Thompson is completely man-made, boasting 500 hectares of land.

The Pedestrian Bridge

As for the bridge, due to “dredging activities requiring access to Cell 3,” the pedestrian bridge will be closed from Monday at 7 AM to Friday at 3 PM until December 13, 2024.

That being said, plan accordingly!

A map of the park, beaches and shoreline can be found here so you can plan out exactly where you want to stop.

If you’re planning on driving to the park, the entrance is located at Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue. If you’re taking TTC, the park is a five-minute walk from the Commissioner’s Street bus stop at Commissioner’s and Leslie.

Escape the city within the city and enjoy your park day, Toronto.

Make the most of your fall adventures.