Human Activity

Removal of final beer stein light, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Steinful Farewell

The final beer stein light fixture is removed from Third St.

Equinox Bonfire 2018, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Equinox Bonfire 2018

Another fantastic night on the beach, celebrating the spring equinox in true Island style.

Traffic jam in front of ferry docks, Centre Island, Toronto Islands

Harbour Jam

The Wm. Lyon Mackenzie, leaving Centre Island dock, attempts to thread her way through a traffic jam of water taxis.  Eight taxis were attempting to get into the dock (six visible here) at the same time, a serious concern for paddlers attempting to cross the increasingly busy approach. Click image to view larger.


Equinox bonfire 2016, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Equinox Bonfire 2016

Another fabulous evening on the beach courtesy of Alice, and John Jackman who spent days collecting all of the trees.  The fire potatoes will be back next year.

Frost flowers in front of the Rapids Queen, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Flowers for the Queen

Frost flowers adorn the ice in front of the Rapids Queen.

Twilight hockey game on lagoon ice, Algonquin Island, Toronto Islands

A Rare Game

One of the few Island hockey games of the 2015/16 winter season, during a cold snap that finally froze the ice to a reasonable thickness.


Breakwater covered in ice, Centre Island, Toronto Islands

Breakwater Dusk

Dramatic lake effect clouds shroud Lake Ontario as it freezes in -25°C temperatures.

Equinox Bonfire 2015, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Equinox Bonfire 2015

A few images from the Spring Equinox bonfire of 2015, another lovely night on the beach. 

CBC web article, Feb 15 2015, Toronto ferry ice issues

In the Media

CBC tweets and articles note problems with the ferry service during a February cold snap in the winter of 2014/15. Link to original article, and to the original tweet.


Special K

Kaya enjoys a balmy day on the ice at Ward’s beach.

Fashion shoot in snow, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Gaga Beach

You just never know who you’ll meet on Ward’s beach.

Parasailing on ice, Inner Harbour, Toronto Islands

Boys and Their Toys

What to do when winter never ends? How about parasailing on the inner harbour with a snowboard?


Toronto Island Community Portrait 2013, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Island Community 2013

Where were you on August 5, 2013?  Five years after the last community portrait, Islanders came together for a special panorama marking the 100th anniversary of the Ward’s Island Association.  If you couldn’t make it, mark your calendars:  the next portrait will be taken on Monday, August 6, 2018. Click image to view larger.

Maeve fire dancing, Ward's Island, Toronto Island

Flaming Hoops

Maeve lights up the night with her flaming hula hoops at the 2013 Equinox Bonfire.

Dinner in the Park, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Dinner in the Field

Hamish takes a break from eating, during 2012’s return of Dinner in the Park in front of the WIA.


Artistic bonfire, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Redwing Firepile

The Fire Parade bonfire of 2012 waits to be lit on Ward’s Beach, moments before the parade arrives.

Willow Square mosaic unveiling, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Willow Square 2012

Volunteers and organizers come out to celebrate the unveiling of the magnificent Willow Square mosaic, marking the transition from what was  often a garbage transfer station on Wednesdays to an exceptional public space. Thanks guys, the WIA has never looked so lovely.

Equinox bonfire, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

Equinox Firelight 2012

A huge crowd assembles on Ward’s beach for the annual Equinox bonfire.  Thanks for the potatoes, Alice!


Traffic circle unforest, Ward's Island, Toronto Islands

The Unforest

Christmas trees haunt the traffic circle before the annual Equinox bonfire of 2012.

Toronto Island Community on the ferry Ongiara, Toronto Islands

Conglomeration

Time warp back to 2004, and a sudden cold snap breaks the Ward’s dock hydraulics, trapping the Ongiara in place for several hours. The legendary ingenuity of the Island community came to the fore, assuming that having everyone run from one end of the boat to the other might shift it enough to get free […]

Hardwater sailing, Inner harbour, Toronto Islands

Ice Blur

The ice sailboat goes through the sound barrier in front of Algonquin Island.


Skating on black ice, Outer harbour, Toronto Islands

Black Ice Reflections

Skating on the legendary black ice of 2005, between the Island and the Spit.  Will we ever see the likes of it again?

Kayaking in winter ice, Inner harbour, Toronto Islands

Icy Horizons

Playing in broken harbour ice under glorious January skies.

Taking the schoolbus in winter, Hanlan's Point, Toronto Islands

Schoolbus Snowfall

Kids trudge to the schoolbus through heavy snow at Hanlan’s Point after ice conditions shut down the Ward’s dock.


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