Sunnyside Park

Sunnyside Park stretches along the western waterfront of Toronto on Lake Shore Boulevard West, offering families one of the city's most complete lakefront experiences. The park combines a sandy beach, a large playground, cycling trails along the Martin Goodman Trail, a boardwalk, and picnic areas — all in one long stretch of green space.

The playground is well-maintained with equipment suitable for different age groups, including smaller structures for toddlers and more challenging climbing features for older kids. It sits close to the beach, so parents can easily move between the two without a major trek. The beach itself has shallow water that warms up nicely in July and August, though the water quality can vary — check the city's beach water quality postings before letting kids swim.

The boardwalk is one of the best features for families. It runs along the waterfront and is wide enough for strollers, bikes, and scooters side by side. Toddlers love walking along it, and older kids can ride ahead while parents keep them in sight. The Martin Goodman Trail connects here, so if your family is into cycling, you can ride all the way to the Humber River or east toward downtown.

The Sunnyside Pavilion sits at the heart of the park. It's a restored 1920s building with a seasonal cafe that serves coffee, ice cream, and light meals. There are also public washrooms here. The nearby Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion (Gus Ryder Pool) offers an outdoor pool that's a good alternative to the lake on days when the water quality flags are up.

Parking can be tough on summer weekends. The lot along Lake Shore fills up by mid-morning on hot days. Taking the 501 streetcar to Roncesvalles and walking south is a good alternative. The park is open 24 hours but is best enjoyed during daylight. Bring shade since tree cover is limited near the beach.