Join us on Thursday, July 16th at 6:15 pm for a 2-hour, 2 km circular nature walk over mostly paved surfaces, with some sand and gentle slopes. No stairs.
Thursday, July 17th at 6:15 pm – Wards Island Evening Nature Stroll
Leader: Ellen Schwartzel
Walk Location: Wards Island Environmentally Significant Area (ESA)
Meeting Point: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal – gate for Ward’s Island; Ferry departs 6:30 pm for Wards.
Getting There: Take TTC to Union subway station; either take the streetcar the short bit south or walk south on Bay Street (under the Gardiner Expressway), 15 minutes to the ferry docks
Walk Details: A 2-hour, 2 km circular nature walks over mostly paved surfaces, with some sand and gentle slopes. No stairs.
Accessibility: We will be on loose beach sands for some of the walk.
Washrooms: Washrooms at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and also at Wards Island. Park washrooms are open till 10:00 pm.
Walk description: Come explore the best nature bits of Wards Island, while savouring cool lake breezes, the evening glow and the city skyline.
Ward’s Island Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) has one of the two last remaining natural dune systems on the Toronto Islands; the only other place to see dunes is at Hanlan’s Beach. The comparatively small area at Wards offers habitat for at least 23 locally significant plant species, such as Sphinx Ladies tresses and Greater Fringed Gentian. It is also special for offering breeding habitat for leopard frogs and common toads, in the interdunal wet swales. Birds we might see include Killdeer, Flycatchers, Chimney Swifts and Yellow Warblers. The invasive reed, Phragmites, has been increasing at this site in recent years, unfortunately. We will discuss how Wards Island ESA could be better cared for, what might be some first steps and what the role of the nature community could be. If time allows, we will also check out one or two other nature areas around Wards Island.
We will return to the Wards Island ferry dock before the 8:45 pm ferry departs. (Sunset will be 8:55 pm on July 17) The ferry also departs Wards Island at 9:45 pm and 10:45 pm, should you wish to stay later.
What to Bring: Water, sun hat, binoculars, insect spray, snacks optional
This walk is only one of more than 140 that TFN will host this year alone! TFN members enjoy a complete listing of walks in our newsletter. Not a member? Learn more about the benefits of membership now!
Please tag any photos you take on this walk with #TFNWalk so that we can all live vicariously through your lens.