Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Etobicoke, ON

It was warm 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. 

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 eventually took me to the water.

I headed to the beach

I carried on westward.

I headed west on a path along the water.

I headed towards the point.

And then turned around and headed back but along the larger path on the other side.

I headed up the hill to Whimbrel Point.

I headed back towards the beach.

When I got to the beach, I walked into the water to see how warm/cold it was. It had a refreshing chill so I kept walking until I was waist-deep (I was wearing yoga pants and a teeshirt) and then sat on some rocks to dry. Nice!

Then I went back to the car and headed for home.