Tommy Thompson Park in Early Spring

On April 15, 2025 by admin With 0 Comments - Toronto

An accidental nature refuge

Tommy Thompson Park is a 5km long spit of land that stretches into Lake Ontario at the south east end of Toronto. It is entirely manmade, consisting of silt dredged up from the harbour as well as construction and demolition material produced over the last 75 years as the city grew. The shores of the park are made up of mostly broken concrete, tile and brick which have been eroded by wind and water over time. Shanks of twisted iron rebar jut out from the shoreline like rusty branches. Although it doesn’t sound so picturesque, it is actually quite beautiful.

Nature has taken over as this pile of dirt and rubble has sat here mostly undisturbed. It is now home to indigenous plants, animals, birds and insects. Some rare migratory birds make Tommy Thompson Park an annual nesting ground and there are areas of the park that are closed off during most of the year to allow them to nest in peace. Cars are not allowed. Even dogs are not allowed as the permanent residents of the park see them as predators.

Because it is remote from the city and protected by environmental laws, it is a great place for spotting beavers, minks, martens, coyotes, geese, swans, all types of ducks, birds of prey, insects, turtles, snakes, frogs…. Even Snowy Owls and Bald Eagles make stops here.

Since there are no cars it is also an ideal place for a walk or bike ride when you feel like escaping from the noise and hustle of downtown. For more detailed info here is the official website.

Photos and sounds from an early spring visit to Tommy Thompson Park

Leslie Lookout Park
Brand new Leslie Lookout park with white sand beach overlooking part of the harbour and city skyline. This is on the way to Tommy Thompson Park.
Couple walking in Tommy Thompson Park
Haraboji and Halmoni out for a Sunday walk (I heard them speaking)
Cycling in Tommy Thompson Park
City bikes are available to rent. Walking the whole park takes hours so bikes are a good alternative for a quicker tour.
Fishing in Tommy Thompson Park
Fisherman trying the ponds that form between sandbanks of dredged silt.
I spotted a little Mink (a type of weasel) eating a fish hidden in the grass near shore.
Sand banks in Tommy Thompson Park
Naturalized sandbanks host many nesting birds
Don’t assume anything…
Birds nest hung in Red Dogwood branches in Tommy Thompson Park
You can spot last years bird nests in the bare branches.
Tommy Thompson PArk shoreline with water and broken brick
Shoreline made up of naturally tumbled concrete and bricks.
Lake Ontario beach sounds…also the sound of nature eroding all the construction debris
Dry flower with shadow
Concrete, brick, stone and flower
Toronto skyline viewed fro Tommy Thompson Park
Skyline from the silt ponds
Red dogwood in early spring
Leaf buds are not quite open yet but early spring has its’ owns colours..the dogwood branches are bright red against the brown vegetation of last year.
Red Osier Dogwood and Sumac

I expected it to be noisier, but except for birds quietly nesting and people cycling and chattering away, it was almost silent. Below is a sound sample from late summer. In contrast, the sounds of cicadas, crickets and bees is LOUD! You can also hear a Porter Airlines or Air Canada Dash-8 flying over. This is a typical sound of the park which is at the end of one of the Toronto Island Billy Bishop Airport runways.

This park changes dramatically with the seasons…let’s come back later and see what’s going on

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