Toronto Islands - Winter 2008

[smuncky]

Since this past week was my reading week, I decided to go down to the Toronto Islands. I haven't been to the islands in my 8 years of living here in Toronto buy I heard good things about them.

With winter in full swing, there was no one there besides the odd resident bicylcing on the road. However, there were a group of school kids going around with their teachers for a field trip. It felt great being there alone and almost as if the whole place was abandoned or a nuclear blast went off and I was the only one left alive (ie I Am Legend).

Anyway, here are the pics. Enjoy!

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

nice!

 

[theman23]

Wow, I didn't realize the ferry still ran in the winter. Though I suppose it has to, otherwise the residents would have nowhere to go for half the year. Great pictures.

 

[billy corgan]

Very nice! I feel cold just looking at your pictures.

 

[CDL.TO]

Great pics! We don't see much of the place in the winter.

 

[Jayomatic]

Wow, great shots!

These only go to show that the Toronto waterfront should include some development instead of the majority of Torontonians demanding huge parks lining the waterfront. The waterfront would be a ghosttown 4 months of the year.

 

[Edward Skira]

^ I've always said we don't need traditional parkland in the inner harbour because we already have huge parks on the waterfront. The Islands are our central waterfront parkland.

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Those photos are great, I've never been there in the winter. Some are almost haunting and took me through some really strong memories, all good of course.

 

[Redroom Studios]

great pics and a really nice tour! the weather was perfect for it, though I never would have thought to go across to the islands in winter... and I really need to get a better computer becasue that post almost killed this one!

 

[Hypnotoad]

^ I've always said we don't need traditional parkland in the inner harbour because we already have huge parks on the waterfront. The Islands are our central waterfront parkland.

Here, here. We have a great park, minutes away from downtown but it is hardly at our fingertips. Instead of remediating what is left of the central waterfront, I'd urge planners to look at methods to integrate the Island with downtown. If I had my way, this would include a) eliminating the airport and turning it into parkland, b) pedestrian/streetcar only bridges linking the island at the foot of Bathurst and east at Unwin Ave, and c) enhance the public attractions on the island to include all-year activities, including outdoor curling, hockey, cross-country skiing and football rinks/courses/fields.

There is more then enough room for amazing outdoors recreational uses where the airport is with an amazing backdrop.

Anyway, fantastic pictures!

 

[JasonParis]

I'd imagine that it is very rare for one's first experience with the Toronto Islands to be from the the dead of winter. I hope you get to go back in the summer and are able to contrast your experiences.

Fantastic job!!!

 

[Woodbridge_Heights]

great photos! I especially liked the one of the pay phone and the snow tracks. Very striking.

 

[Fad225]

amazing shots!! its just a little sad how we really don't know how to design for winter.. we really haven't tried to find ways of making these places as exciting and embrace them all year round...

I think even just a few winter-oriented snow/walk - trails, fire pits, a chestnut roast and a hot chocolate-stand on a tiny corner of the islands would make a difference..

 

[Long Island Mike]

Good Toronto Downtown and the Islands pics!

Smuncky: Good group of pics of Downtown Toronto and the Islands in the Winter-I feel that the cool dry weather can be some of the best times to photograph in this manner because of good distance visibility. I really like the pics! LI MIKE

 

[smuncky]

thanks for all the comments guys! i appreciate it!