Photo tour: Toronto-Mississauga lakefront communities

Toronto and many of the surrounding areas are blessed with a great, natural waterfront location. But if you haven’t yet explored – beyond Harbourfront, Centre Island and other usual well-known spots – you’re missing out on some real hidden gems in our lakefront communities.

Case in point: the network of outstanding lakefront trails that runs from one end of the city to the other – and beyond, connecting many of our lakefront communities and neighbourhoods. From the 56-km Martin Goodman Trail that runs from Rouge River in the east to the Humber Bay Bridge to the west, to the Toronto and Mississauga sections of the provincial Waterfront Trail, there are so many attractions – natural and otherwise – off the beaten trail, so to speak, that many residents don’t even know they’re there.

All is yours to enjoy for free – whether you're cycling, walking, running, rollerblading or even driving and parking in available lots. The most you’ll have to spend is a little energy.

Pack a lunch or other refreshments, explore the trails, enjoy the numerous parks, picnic areas and rest stops along the way, venture up into the neighbourhoods to see the beautiful lake- and parkside housing, and really make a day of it. You may soon be exploring how you might be able to move into or close to one of these lakefront communities – or at least visiting more often.

And be sure to bring a camera – you’ll want to capture the fantastic scenery and amenities as you pass such landmarks as Marie Curtis Park, Lakefront Promenade Park, the New Toronto Lawn Bowling Club, public tennis courts and swimming pools and countless other hidden gems.

So, let’s saddle up and take a photo tour of parts of these lakefront communities, beginning at Mimico and heading west to the eastern boundary of Port Credit. Here's a sample of what you will find along the way.

Along the quiet neighbourhood streets south of Lake Shore Boulevard and facing right opposite Lake Ontario, you'll plenty of gorgeous homes like this one. If you make a trek down there any time soon, be sure to ride along Lake Promenade.

Some homes, such as this one, look like they belong in a magazine – if it hasn't appeared in one already! There's also plenty of teardown action going on in these neighbourhoods.

Along the Waterfront Trail, you'll find countless rest areas, including this one near the Port Credit Yacht Club, where, on this warm August Saturday, there were more ducks than people.

See – more ducks than people.

Ride further west toward Port Credit, and you'll come across the sprawling Adamson Estate, a more than 13-acre waterfront property east of the mouth of the Credit River.

Purchased from the family of Agar Adamson by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority in 1975, today the grounds and gardens are open to the public, while the main building is occupied by the Blyth Academy, a private secondary school. The Adamson legacy comes from the family supplying white pine logs for masts in the Royal Navy of Britain.

Pet cemeteries really do exist – besides in Stephen King novels. This one is on the grounds of the Adamson Estate.

With names such as Zehr, Brownie, Friskers, Cooee, Chang, Cesar and Winnie the Pooh, the Adamsons clearly loved their pets. If you visit, check the dates on the stones of these long-honoured loved ones.

Make a point of finding Lakefront Promenade Park, just off Lakeshore Road East, and east of Cawthra Road. A project of the City of Mississauga and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, the park is one of the largest waterfront developments in Ontario, with more than 40 hectares of public parkland dedicated to outdoor recreation and the protection of wildlife habitat.

Enjoy the extensive boardwalk and walking trails, a children's play and beach area and a water splash pad. Then take a seat on the licensed outdoor eatery, watch the yachts come in and out of the harbour and rest up for the ride home.

RELATED READING

Neighbourhood Profile of Mimico

Neighbourhood Profile of Port Credit

Neighbourhood Profile of New Toronto

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