Wards Island is the best kept open secret in Toronto!
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| Beach area by the Wards' Island Ferry Terminal |
Wards Island is one of the islands of the Toronto Islands, the largest car free urban community in North America.
There are no roads linking the city of Toronto to the island. However, there are year round ferry services for visitors and island residents.
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| Waiting Area -Wards Island Ferry Terminal |
Catching a ferry at the Toronto waterfront ferry terminal takes the passengers right to one of the three docks of the islands.
The admission to the island parks are free and the ferry fees are quite reasonable.
We took the ferry to Center Island which is the largest island and the most visited.
Strolling leisurely on a sunny day, we took a walking tour of the islands.
After we came to the beach area, we stayed a little while and took a left turn at the bike rental shop.
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| A bike for two can be rented on the island |
We wished we could have rented a bike and biked around the three islands.
Since the Dragon Boat Race took place on the Sunday we visited Centre Island, it was really busy and the wait was too long for us for a rental bike.
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| Wards Island - The best walking tour; best place to take in the view of Lake Ontario |
Wards Island is a great place to take a view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. We lingered at this perfect spot and took time to enjoy the view and got some great pictures!
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| Sunshine Senior Centre - Wards Island |
Wards Island is a community on its own with its own fire station and EMS, as well as a school and a senior centre.
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| A Nice Little Cafe on the Island |
Relaxing with a coffee/ tea in the garden of the Rectory Cafe is one of my favourite activities while on the islands.
I always look forward to enjoying some home made cookies at the Cafe during our island visits with friends or family.
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| Crossing the bridge at this junction takes us to another world! |
There are about three hundred homes on the Islands. But they are kind of out of the tourists' way, tucked away to a little world of its own.
Coming from Centre Island and having passed the Sunshine Senior Centre, we were at the junction of Algonquin Bridge Road and Cibola Avenue.
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| Bridge leading to Algonquin Island |
Crossing the bridge lined with bright coloured flowers in full blooms, we landed on Algonquin Island where residents have been living there for many years.
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| Playground for kids |
A great place to live, especially for kids!
There are no vehicles allowed on the islands except city service vehicles performing the necessary services.
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| An rustic bench adorns a front yard on Wards Island |
It is like we were in another world - a time when things were slower, less hectic and more gentle.
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| A rustic little cottage house on the Algonquin Island |
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| Interesting house designs and styles abound |
There are an some pretty rustic cottages as well as some modern ones co- existing beside one another.
As I am interested in architecture, I really enjoyed looking at the different house designs on the island.
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| A house with a beautiful big balcony |
Some houses are humble little cottages needing repairs while others are huge and elaborate with various additions.
A communal place we came across at the end of the bridge was a station where residents could drop off their used books and clothing.
No money exchanged hands; just neighbours sharing and helping each other.
What a spirit! What a great community!
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| Wards Island - A great place for a leisure stroll |
Walking about on the islands is pretty relaxing and took me away from the busy city life for a little while.
I feel as if I were far away in a little quiet village, removed from a big city!
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| Home of the Queen City Yacht Club |
Recreational opportunities abound on the islands!
Canoe and kayak lessons are available.
Wards Island is also home to the Queen City Yacht Club.
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| Wards Island - a ten minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto |
Getting to Wards Island is an escape for me. ( I am sure for many Torontonians.)
Residents on Wards Island are very fortunate!
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| Backyard flowers on the island |
They enjoy all the conveniences, amenities such as most advanced medical facilities of a modern North American big city!
Residents can reach downtown Toronto with a ten minute ferry ride!
They also enjoy a quiet, peaceful and communal small village life style on the islands.
Wards Island residents indeed have the best of both worlds!
R.T.
Wards Island
Toronto
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