One of the greatest parts of living in the GTA is that there are so many activities you can participate in, really close to home. If you’re looking for something to do that’s close to home so you don’t have to pack up the whole family and drive for hours you should check out Port Union Waterfront Park. Located at 169 Chesterton Shores in Scarborough, this park has a variety of activities for everyone in the family. Here’s a little more about where the park came from and what you can expect when you get there.
A Little History
This park was built as part of a revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront project completed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. It was completed in 2012 and has been incredibly well maintained since then. The park offers a large amount of green space and waterfront along its trails, so you’ll almost forget you’re in the middle of a big city while exploring this park.
Walk the Trails
The Port Union Waterfront Park has over 3.5km of waterfront trails that span across the 13.5 hectares of space this park covers. The trails in this park are part of a larger trail system that extends from Niagara on the Lake all the way to the Quebec border. These trails are all multi use: you can bike, run, walk, rollerblade or even skateboard. You can get through these trails any way you want to see the scenery and enjoy the outdoor space.
Relax on the Beach
If you’d prefer to take a more relaxed approach to your day off, you can enjoy the view at Rouge Beach. This beach is located at the eastern edge of the park, and is great for a quiet day in the city. You can pack some snacks or a lunch and bring the kids to splash in the lake. You can also access the trails from the beach area so you can hike or bike your way to an afternoon in the sun and sand.
Kids Area
Seasonally there is a splash pad and playground at the Port Union Village Common Park for the kids to enjoy while you’re here. This area is a great way to spend some of those sunny hot summer afternoons in a place close to home. There are also change rooms and fully stocked washrooms at this location.
Finding fun things to do close to home might seem like a challenge sometimes, but Port Union Waterfront Park is a great way to spend the day. Even though you’re in the middle of a very large metropolis, this park will make you forget you’re in the city and will help you reset and find some calm. The beach will give you a spot you can sit and watch the waves come in; enjoy the peace of the water. As a well maintained green space in Toronto that allows you to take in a portion of the Toronto waterfront this spot is perfect for a day trip in the city.
More about Scarborough here
Up next is The Toronto Zoo