Here at the Outer Harbour, can you feel the gentle breeze coming off Lake Ontario? The Outer Harbour is a testament to Toronto’s evolving waterfront. It showcases the city’s shifting priorities over the decades.
Originally, the Outer Harbour was not a harbour at all. The Toronto Harbour Commission developed it in the 1950s and 1960s. There were high hopes for increased shipping traffic after the Saint Lawrence Seaway opened. The Outer Harbour East Headland, a new breakwater, was constructed.
But the expected surge in shipping never materialized. Instead, the Outer Harbour became a haven for recreational boating. Today, private boats are the most common vessels here.
Did you know that the Outer Harbour is also home to the Outer Harbour Marina? It opened in 1989 and is one of Canada’s largest freshwater marinas. The Outer Harbour Marina boasts over 600 slips. It provides boaters with easy access to Lake Ontario and Toronto’s Inner Harbour. The marina even offers heated indoor storage, a unique feature in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Outer Harbour is not only for boats. Cherry Beach, formerly Clarke Beach Park, sits on the north side of the Outer Harbour. It is a popular summer destination. The water quality here typically meets high standards.
Eight community water-sport clubs operate east of Cherry Beach. They form the Outer Harbour Sailing Federation. This independent group adds to the vibrant community spirit here.
Looking out over the water, you might spot something unexpected. Legend has it that Gaasyendietha, a serpent-like creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster, inhabits Lake Ontario. Some say it even ventures into the Toronto Harbour. This Native Canadian myth from the Seneca tribe adds a touch of mystery to these waters.
Plans are underway for a 37-kilometre Lake Ontario Park. Waterfront Toronto proposed it. This park will run through the Outer Harbour. This will further enhance the area’s recreational appeal.
Back in 1972, a significant project reshaped the Outer Harbour. The Government of Canada invested millions to dredge and widen the Eastern Gap. This made it the primary entrance to the harbour for commercial boats. The dredged material, billions of cubic yards of it, was used to create the aquatic park on the Outer Harbour headland.
The Toronto Multihull Cruising Club has been a fixture here since 1971. In those days, this area was mostly landfill. The Leslie Street Spit, now Tommy Thompson Park, was just emerging.
The Outer Harbour of today offers a blend of recreational opportunities. The Outer Harbour is a mix of boating, community water sports, and natural beauty. It stands as a reminder of Toronto’s ever-changing relationship with its waterfront.