Tommy Thompson Park

How the Leslie Street Spit became parkland

Tommy Thompson Park occupies the northern part of the Leslie Street Spit, a man-made peninsula that reaches into Lake Ontario. The spit began as an extension of Toronto Harbour. Construction material from around the city and sand dredged for a new port helped form the land. It later became a recreation area and is now protected as an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

The park is named for a former Toronto parks commissioner. Its landscape shows how a constructed shoreline can change over time: woodland, meadows, marshes, dunes and cobble beaches now occupy parts of the peninsula. Old construction rubble is still visible in places, alongside habitats shaped by plant growth and restoration work.

Trails, lake views and birdlife

A paved multi-use route follows the peninsula, with branches and smaller paths leading to different parts of the park. Published route descriptions give a range of distances: one describes a five-kilometre trail, while another puts the full loop at about 11 kilometres. Choose how far to go rather than assuming every visit needs to cover the whole spit. A pedestrian-only grass track runs beside part of the main route and can provide a quieter walk.

The landscape changes as you move through the park, from meadows and woods to marshes and the open lakefront. Look for views of Toronto’s skyline along the way, and take a detour to a waterfront viewpoint when a path allows. The Toronto Harbour Lighthouse is at the peninsula’s tip, though reaching it means travelling farther along the spit.

Birds are a central part of the park’s appeal. More than 300 species have been recorded, including waterbirds and songbirds; the area is also a breeding site for double-crested cormorants. The peninsula lies along a migratory flight path, so the birds you see depend on the season. Be observant around nesting areas and give wildlife room. Beavers and coyotes are also among the animals reported in the park.

Planning your route

You can explore on foot or by bicycle, using the paved route to cover more ground and the narrower paths for shorter walks. The main trail is shared, so watch for cyclists as you walk and give space when passing. The park is large enough that a short outing may not reach the end of the peninsula; decide on a turnaround point before you start.

Facilities include washrooms and a water station at the entrance, with portable washrooms reported along the trails. There is parking at the park, and the address is 1 Leslie Street. Pack what you need for the distance you plan to cover, as refreshments are limited along the route. Trail access can change: reports note that some sections, including a bridge, have been closed at times. Check current access information before making a longer trip.