NASS 7 Excursion: Toronto Islands
Our excursion to the beautiful Toronto Islands on Friday, May 27, 2022, will offer an opportunity to take in a spectacular view of the Toronto skyline and surroundings. Enjoy walking or biking along the trails or simply taking in the beauty of the islands, Lake Ontario, the cottage-like homes of the 600-people Toronto Island community, and Ward’s Island Beach. Toronto Islands are a group of 15 small islands (about 5km long), mostly inter-connected by pathways and bridges.
Our group will split into two groups: one group that will be able to enjoy coffee, the beach, and/or walking on the boardwalk at a relaxed pace and another group that will walk together along the boardwalk to a bike rental shop, where we will rent bikes and proceed to cycle around the island. Both groups will meet for lunch at 1pm at the Riviera restaurant.
RSVP REQUIRED: If you plan to attend the excursion, please let us know via the following Google form by May 20, 2022: https://forms.gle/wCnKaKd5Hsfzotnu6. We require numbers for the restaurant reservation and bike rentals. Thank you.
Excursion Schedule:
9AM: Meet at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, downtown Toronto.
Directions to the ferry terminal (between Bay St & Young St):
From Union Subway Station (Line 1 [yellow]), turn right onto Bay St. and walk all the way down.
Please buy an Adult return ticket ($8.70) online before the day of departure at:
https://secure.toronto.ca/FerryTicketOnline/tickets2/index.jsp
9:30AM: Ferry departs to Ward’s Island
9:45AM: Arrive at Ward’s Island
From here we will take in views of the Toronto city skyline together.
We will then split into two groups.
Group one will relax and wander on Ward Island.
Group two will rent bicycles together.
Group 1 - Possible things to do:
-
Coffee at the Island Café (two minutes walk from the ferry dock)
-
Enjoy Ward Island Beach and Ward’s Island Park (next to the beach; both 5-10 minutes walk from the ferry dock)
-
Walk along the Ward’s Island Boardwalk
Group 2 – Cycling (11AM-12PM)
Group 2 will walk along the boardwalk together to Toronto Island Bicycle Rental (https://www.torontoislandbicyclerental.com/rentals) – 25 minute walk from the dock.
Bike rental cost is $9.50/hour. Please bring an ID card, which is required for rental.
We will cycle some of the bike paths together that are shown on this map:
We will cycle around the Islands for one hour, from approximately 11AM-12PM.
Then we will then return the bikes and walk back to the Riviera on Ward’s Island together (20 minute walk from bike rental).
1PM: Both groups will meet The Riviera: Ward's Island Kitchen restaurant: 102 Lakeshore Ave, Toronto, ON M5J 1X9.
The Riviera has vegan and vegetarian options as well as weekly specials, including pizzas.
Here is their current menu:
After lunch we will walk together to the Ward’s Island ferry terminal for a 3:45 p.m departure back to Toronto city.
3:45 pm: Return on the ferry back to Toronto.