Wasn’t Sunnyside Amusement Park a marvel? Right here where we stand today a vibrant amusement park once thrived. Sunnyside Amusement Park a beloved Toronto landmark operated from 1922 to 1955. Imagine the laughter the screams of delight the joyous chaos.
Sunnyside Park was more than just rides and games. It was a place of dreams. It was built on land reclaimed from Lake Ontario. Sand was dredged from the bay and topsoil came from a farm in Pickering. The shoreline was extended by about 100 meters. This wasn’t just a park it was a testament to human ingenuity and ambition.
The Sunnyside Flyer roller coaster was a major attraction. It boasted the “dippiest dips on the continent”. The Derby Racer a thrilling steeplechase ride also captivated visitors. Many smaller attractions added to the fun. The park also hosted stunt events like flagpole sitting and boat burnings. Musical concerts and nightclubs added to the vibrant atmosphere.
The Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion opened in 1922. It offered changing rooms lockers and showers. It cost $300000 to build. It had a roof garden that could hold 400 people. In 1925 the Sunnyside Pool nicknamed “The Tank” was added. At the time it was the largest outdoor pool in the world. It could hold 2000 swimmers.
The Sunnyside Pavilion housed two restaurants and a tea garden. It was a crescent-shaped structure. Later it became the Club Esquire and then the Top Hat nightclub. The Palais Royale another building in the park opened in 1922. It housed Walter Dean’s boat factory and a dance hall. Later it became a nightclub featuring big bands like Count Basie’s orchestra. The Palais Royale still stands today.
The park wasn’t without its unique events. The first Miss Toronto pageant was held here in 1926. In 1936 a heatwave led to thirty men being arrested for indecent exposure. They were later acquitted. In 1954 Marilyn Bell finished her historic swim across Lake Ontario at Sunnyside. A plaque marks the spot.
Sadly Sunnyside Amusement Park was demolished in 1955. The Gardiner Expressway was built on its site. Some rides like the Derby Racer were moved to other locations. The carousel even went to Disneyland. The Sunnyside Pool and Bathing Pavilion along with the Palais Royale survived. They serve as reminders of the park’s glorious past.
Today Sunnyside Park a calmer place than its predecessor still offers recreation. The Bathing Pavilion and pool remain. A boardwalk a playground and a recreation trail provide modern enjoyment. While the thrilling rides are gone the spirit of Sunnyside lives on. The park’s history remains a source of fascination a testament to a golden age of Toronto entertainment.