Could a place named “Scarboro’ Beach Amusement Park” actually exist outside of Scarborough? This historical oddity is what we find here, marked by the Scarboro’ Beach Amusement Park Plaque. This plaque, placed in 1993 by the Toronto Historical Board, commemorates a bygone era of fun and amusement. The park, a major Toronto attraction between 1907 and 1925, was surprisingly located south of Queen Street East, between Leuty and Maclean Avenues in the Beach neighbourhood. It was not part of Scarborough despite its name. The Scarboro’ Historical and Old Boys’ Association even protested the misleading name back in 1907.
The Scarboro’ Beach Amusement Park offered a plethora of attractions. There was a 30-meter illuminated tower, a beacon visible for miles. A “Shoot the Chutes” flume, a “Whirl of Pleasure,” the “Tickler,” a scenic railway, and even a carousel with a repurposed streetcar controller as its speed regulator. The park also hosted Canada’s first airshow in 1909 featuring the Curtiss biplane, “The Golden Flyer,” piloted by Charles Willard. Imagine the thrill as Willard took off and landed, only to crash into the lake on his third attempt due to electrical failure.
The park was more than just rides. It had a boardwalk lined with concessions, freak shows, and games. A 1300 square-meter restaurant called the Scarboro Inn Cafe offered a verandah overlooking the beach, a stage, and a bandstand. The park even had its own lacrosse team, “The Toronto’s,” who played at the adjacent Toronto Athletic Field. This field was also home to six-day bicycle marathon races.
Initially owned by the Toronto Park Company, Scarboro’ Beach Amusement Park faced financial difficulties in its early years. It was then acquired by the Toronto Railway Company in 1910, which transformed it into a “trolley park” to boost off-peak streetcar business. The Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC) took over in 1921. They lacked interest in maintaining the park, leading to its decline and eventual sale in 1925. The land was then transformed into the residential area you see today, complete with its distinctive Spanish and Colonial Style duplexes and fourplexes built by the Price Brothers. The Scarboro’ Beach Amusement Park Plaque serves as a reminder of the laughter and excitement that once filled this space. It’s a tribute to a time when this quiet residential area was a hub of entertainment and a testament to the ever-changing landscape of our city.