Views from the Spit (Tommy Thompson Park)

[ShonTron]

I took my newish bike out to the spit and am sharing my photos - it is something that I highly recommend, though without a bike or even rollerblades, it's a long walk to the end.

On the way, the old Hearn plant and the new "Portlands Energy Centre" - a wonderful euphemism for a gas-fired power plant on the harbour.

I love some of the views of the skyline with wetlands and naturalized areas in the foreground.

Hundreds of birds on this bit of fill extending to the north.

The lighthouse is on a bit of a hill, and is a nice perch.

See across the lake to New York State.

This shot reminds me of the outskirts of Sudbury (like around Coniston).

Recently dumped material includes old bricks, metal and other demolition debris.

Porter aircraft coming in for landing.

New Canadian Tire almost finished at Leslie and Lake Shore, in what is becoming another big box node. Wal-Mart may come soon to the area.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

those sights bring back memories.

that is one of the best spots in toronto to ride a bike. i remember the spot where it seemed like all the seagulls in toronto lived. it was a spooky feeling. i remember the rebar everywhere, sticking out of the dirt, in the water, etc. i always thought, i hope nobody goes diving here. then there are the beaches with black sand (eroded asphalt), red sand (eroded brick), etc. then there's all those rounded chunks of cement and asphalt and rounded bricks which are very cool. i remember climbing the hill and going to the lighthouse and i also remember looking at toronto with a forest infront of it.

 

[flar]

It's good to see this bit of undeveloped land so close to the centre of the city.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Tommy Thompson Park on the Lake

ST: Nice pix of Tommy Thompson Park! Was all that concrete/brick construction waste dumped illegally? Those old style lampmasts are absolutely old Toronto-style-do any of them still contain incandescent bulbs? LI MIKE

 

[Edward]

Was all that concrete/brick construction waste dumped illegally?

Mike the spit is entirely manmade. Earth and construction materials that were excavated when building the towers downtown (and from subway construction I believe) were dumped here to create the spit. I don't know if it was intentional but older areas that were no longer be used for the dump were soon taken back by nature. The area is now a major bird reserve. You can even find a beaver lodge out there.

 

[Observer Walt]

Good pics, thank you. People who are into bird-watching claim that it's one of the best locations in Ontario.

Another "spit", also mainly man-made of construction debris, is at the foot of Kipling Avenue (Colonel Samuel Smith Park). It is open every day, as it is no longer being used for dumping.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Good use for construction waste!

Interesting! That is a good use for construction debris that is of the type that will not harm the environment-some parts of Manhattan,NYC were built up that way-like Battery Park City downtown. LI MIKE