Cherry Beach — Attraction in Toronto

Sheltered warm water beach looking out on Leslie Spit - sandy pebbly, with benefit of shade from abundant shoreline poplar and willow. Beach gets rammed on weekends and I’m not kidding that if you want a parking spot arrive by 830. Abundant and enforced No Parking will cost you 100 bucks if you think you can take a chance. The TTC 172 bus from Union will get you there too or rent/ take a bike. Getting there is a bit hostile right now thru the dock lands Renos but there’s a dedicated bike lane and ample bike parking. Shaded picnic areas and bbq pits, as well as good access to the lakeshore bike lanes Washroom facilities and a food truck on site, lifeguards also present. Huge venue for paddle boarders, kayakers and windsurfers, interspersed with the occasional assh0le jet skier. Also popular with triathlon trainers as there’s a swimming course 50 metres off shore. Overall a great way to while away a few hours on an urban beach - bring a towel and sunscreen and a cooler of cold beverages!

Edit: I should say that if you’re driving and want a parking spot on a warm summer Saturday then aim for no LATER than 8 am . I am not kidding.

Edit 2: just a word of warning - there is a reason this beach sometimes gets nicknamed “Scary Beach” - usually after the Friday/ Saturday all night raves and you get in early the next morning ( see parking tip above) you are likely to run into stoned drunk half naked middle aged men stumbling around, possibly urinating freely - you’ll also be a bit astounded at the level of garbage and likely human feces toward the Far East of the beach. Stick to the west area by the dog park and you should be ok - provided some drunk doesn’t also try to drive...

Cherry Beach is a man-made beach constructed via lake filling that took place in the 1940's and earlier. This is why you will notice a large amount of brick and broken concrete in the water. The area around Cherry Beach was used for heavy industrial purposes for many many years. The large smoke stack visible from the beach is that of the former coal fired generating station which was decommissioned in the early 1990's. Prior to its destruction the area surrounding Cherry Beach was the largest wetlands in the great lakes system. Years of heavy pollutants flowing down the Don River made the area toxic and the solution was to fill in the wetland and use the land to construct a new port and recreational spot for the city. By the time of its completion as a port most of Toronto's big industry had already left the city for location which were less costly to do business. The area never was utilized to its full potential as major great lakes port. Cherry Beach however has grown into a highly popular location for enjoying the summer. The beach is Blue Flag certified for meeting internationally recognised standards for cleanliness, water quality and facilities. Parking fills up quickly. But there is a bus in the summer which drops you off right at the water's edge. You can board it from King Subway Station. Just past north of the beach on the other side of the parking lot is a grassy tree filled area provding excellent shade and space for a BBQ. The city has installed numerous fixed BBQs for the public to use. You just have to bring your own charcoal...

A really lovely beach and park. There’s a good amount of parking available and places to lock up a bicycle. It’s got a nice vibe on weekdays and gets packed on weekends. There are washrooms, it has a food good food truck and water sport rentals. There are lots of trees for shade and hammocks. There are some picnic tables, but these can sometimes have broken glass and beer bottle caps around them, so wear shoes and take a good look around at the ground first. There is a good long stretch of soft sand. The water is clean and a comfortable temperature. The water has a rocky bottom, and some parts of the beach have more aquatic plants than others, so walk the length before you decide to settle. It’s about waist deep for a fair bit, then neck deep for a nice while. It’s great for swimming or paddling about. Further out there’s lots of people in canoes, sail boats, kite surfing. There are two life guard stations but they may not both be occupied, so it’s worth noting where the lifeguard is during your visit.

A road separates the beach from the park area and cycling trail. This park is wonderfully shady and is often filled with families bbqing and setting up tents.

The food truck makes great skin-on french fries, and if you prefer your fries extra krispy, just ask! They also make good...