Sadly, and for the first time that I can remember the Toronto Islands are closed, and will remain so potentially until the end of July.
Reaching record high water levels, indeed the highest in 65 years, approximately 50% of the islands are submerged under water. Fish have taken over the baseball diamond, the animals from Far Enough Farm have been evacuated, picnic benches normally surrounded by happy families are practically submerged, birds are the only ones sunbathing at the beach and the children who attend the Island Public School have been relocated to the mainland. How did this happen you might be wondering? Why is Lake Ontario was 84cm higher than normal? A simplified answer… an excessive amount of rain and higher than normal lake levels since the beginning of April.
More than 40,000 sandbags have been put into place to help fight against the rising water levels. Workers from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority have been working very hard in recent weeks pumping water out from the islands in an effort to help the water levels recede.
The good news…? The water levels are going down!
Want to learn more about how the flooding is impacting the city or take a look at some cool photos of the island? Check out these articles.
Flooding means Toronto Island is lost for now and with it a piece of paradise
Flooding on the Toronto Islands is terrible—but also weirdly beautiful
Hopefully the islands will be back open soon! But until then you can still come down and take a harbour tour. We are open every day.