Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Etobicoke, ON

It was hot and sunny and I felt like being outside so I drove to Colonel Samuel Smith Park (about a 20 minute drive west) for a walk this afternoon.  Gord and I had been there once a couple years ago and like it.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park is an urban park and a former weekend get-away destination for Victorian Torontonians. The park has a variety of attractions, including a children's playground located only steps from Lake Ontario. The park is named for Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith and lands were part of his property in the 1800s. The park was developed from the 1970s onwards and opened in 1996.

A scenic hiking trail along a peninsula on Lake Ontario provides access to the waterfron, and to several rocky beaches with views of the lake or for birdwatching. A nearby yacht club provides opportunities for boat watching. The park offers a panoramic view of the city, with the iconic CN Tower visible on a clear day, as well as prime fishing spots and other outdoor activities.

Throughout the park are observation decks, from which visitors may spot wildlife engaged in various activities, such as turtles sunning themselves on the rocks, groups of baby ducks and swans, beaver dams and even the beavers themselves. Over one hundred bird species nest in the area.

I took the path that headed right to the water and there was a nice breeze.

Lakeshore Yacht Club

I headed east along a path.

When I got to the beach, there were people in the water and lounging.  I walked into the water to my knees and it was refreshing.  There were a couple people kite surfing, which was fun to watch.

I headed west along the beach.

Looking east at hazy downtown Toronto

I hung out on these rocks for a while
and watched the kite surfers

I headed west again.

Whimbrel Point

Happy dog!

Throw the stick!  Throw the stick!

I was chatting with a fella who has been watching this nest for three months
waiting for eggs to hatch ... this is apparently the third set
(the others didn't hatch because of rain storms we've had)

Lakeshore Yacht Club

I sat on the rocks for a while and then headed east again.

Lakeshore Yacht Club

Another happy dog!

Nice place for inspiration

It's a fun park.  It's almost 200 acres ... there is lots of space and so much to see and do!  I'm surprised I haven't been back sooner.