Many areas of Toronto have seen a lot of change over the years. There’s been so much development throughout the city that diving into historical photos is so interesting! You can always pick out a few familiar things but so much has been added to our skyline. Queens Quay is one area where there has definitely been a lot of change. From the development of the Corus complex to Sugar Beach, there has been many improvements to the area. Continue reading
If you frequent the Toronto waterfront like we do, you’ll know the Martin Goodman Trail well. The trail is over 50 kilometres, spans the majority of our city’s waterfront, and provides a dedicated cycling and pedestrian trail for Torontonians to enjoy. You’d think a trail like this would only be useful in the summer months, but because of the awesome waterfront revitalization that’s just not true! The Martin Goodman Trail is in full force during the winter and we spoke to our friends at Waterfront Toronto to learn more about it.
Since this is the first winter that the new portion of the Martin Goodman Trail has been open, Waterfront Toronto is still waiting to see what usage will look like during the snowy months. However, during its peak months the trail became the most-used piece of cycling infrastructure in Toronto (in only its first summer), so it’s clearly a popular commuting and recreational route. This past summer they saw about 600 cyclists per hour using the trail, which is amazing!
The Martin Goodman Trail has always been maintained to “bare pavement” standard during the winter and the new stretch of the trail will be the same. That means it has first priority to be cleared and salted after a snowfall of 5 centimetres or more. Since it gets darker earlier during the winter, the new signature light poles installed as part of the Queen’s Quay revitalization will help light your way if you’re using the trail in the evening too.
What’s most important to remember when cycling during the winter is to use your best judgement when getting out on the road. Trail etiquette is more important than ever in icy winter conditions, so always ride with caution and courtesy. The City of Toronto actually has some great winter riding tips you can check out too.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we’re so lucky to live on the waterfront!
It’s been a long process to revitalize it, but with the help of Waterfront Toronto and everyone in our neighbourhood we’re really starting to get there. There are so many great places and spaces to hang out – from digging your toes in the sand at Sugar Beach, to catching a show at the Sound Academy, or skating at the Harbourfront Centre – and it’s so important to make the most of your own neighbourhood.
This map is a pretty good overview of all the places we like to explore on the waterfront, and you should too! Why not go for a bike ride along the Martin Goodman Trail and check them all out? Continue reading
With the Toronto waterfront’s massive revitalization well underway, it has quickly become one of the most sought after locations to live in the city. Who wouldn’t want to be right on Lake Ontario with so many great amenities and public spaces nearby? That being said, our waterfront didn’t always look how it does now, which as you can guess is one of the major reasons a revitalization was needed for its success. Continue reading
Unless you’ve been living under one of the Claude Cormier-designed rocks at Sugar Beach, you probably know that the new Queen’s Quay is now up and running! The revitalized area officially opened in June and has been met with outstanding positivity ever since. Our waterfront really needed something like this, and it’s now a world-class street. Continue reading