“Euphemism for alleged police brutality” is a phrase that might spring to mind when you think of Cherry Beach. But there is so much more to this popular lakeside destination. I am thrilled to share its story with you today.
Cherry Beach, originally named Clarke Beach Park, sits at the foot of Cherry Street. It is just south of Unwin Avenue. This Toronto beach resides on the outer harbour. It is just east of the Eastern Gap.
Once, it connected to the Toronto Islands. This was part of a former peninsula before 1852. Later, it became a sandbar. It was also known as Fisherman’s Island.
Despite its location in the formerly industrial Port Lands, Cherry Beach is a beloved spot. You will not find a boardwalk here. Much of the surrounding area consists of marshland. Some areas are leftovers from old factories.
Improvements have recently been made to Cherry Beach. These include a paved entrance and renovated washrooms. There are also changing facilities. You can find barbecue areas for picnics. An off-leash area welcomes dog walkers. The Martin Goodman Trail also passes through the park.
In the summer, the water is generally calm here. It is often warmer than other Toronto beaches. The shallow water is sheltered by the Leslie Street Spit. This protects it from direct surges of Lake Ontario.
This area was originally a marsh and sandbar that underwent landfilling. It held spiritual significance for many indigenous people.
In the 1850s, settlers established a community called Fisherman’s Island. It included a commercial fishery and a church. People traveled to and from Toronto by boat. They also used a breakwater built in 1882.
Harry Clarke, an alderman, created the park in the early 1930s. It was originally named Clarke Beach Park after him. In 1974, there was a proposal to eliminate Cherry Beach for industrial use. Thankfully this never happened. In 2003, the city officially renamed it Cherry Beach.
For years, Cherry Beach was one of Toronto’s few clean swimming beaches. It usually meets high water quality and safety standards. However, a 2012 assessment found high levels of lead and zinc. This is due to past industrial use. Cherry Beach and the Toronto Islands host the only major stands of cottonwoods in the Toronto area.
A wooded area by the beach has become sports fields. It includes a children’s play structure. You can find a metered parking area.
Completed in 2006, the soccer fields have an interesting past. They were built on land found to be contaminated with heavy metals. Toronto FC even used these fields for practice.
In 1984, Pukka Orchestra had a local radio hit. The song was called “Cherry Beach Express.” The song’s name refers to alleged police brutality. This involved gay, indigenous, and homeless people at the beach. These incidents allegedly occurred between the 1940s and 1990s.
Alessia Cara filmed parts of her “Wild Things” music video at Cherry Beach. Also, parts of the film Silent Hill: Revelation 3D were filmed here too.
Cherry Beach continues to evolve. It offers a blend of natural beauty. It also carries a rich, sometimes troubled, history. Today, Cherry Beach stands as a testament to Toronto’s evolving waterfront. It is a place where recreation and remembrance meet.