The Beaches

A Dog-Friendly Playground on the Beach

I like to call the Toronto Beaches "the happiest place on the planet." Dogs and beaches naturally go together.


Bernedoodle on Toronto Beach with CN Tower in view

If you start at the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (2701 Queen St E, Scarborough, ON M4E 1H4), you will find yourself in an off-leash park called Nursewood Dog Park. Dogs can run free, make friends, and cool off in the water when they need to.

Victoria Park Water Treatment Plant Toronto

The Beaches get really busy in the summer, so it's best to go early in the morning. You can usually find short-term free parking on the residential streets. I've been told that parking is also available at the treatment plant on weekends. There are a few Green P parking lots near Queen Street, so that's an option as well.

Map of 5 km Loop

My typical route is a 5 km loop that begins on the Neville Park Blvd. The street is a dead-end with a staircase to the beach.

map of walk on the beach in Toronto

Instantly your dog will make new friends, and you'll see why this place makes me so happy.

Dogs playing on the beach Toronto

As your pet plays and swims, the beaches change names. There is Balmy Beach, Scarboro Beach, Kew Beach, and Woodbine Beach. Walking west along the beach (Lake Ontario to your left), you'll come to the boardwalk, which begins at Balmy Beach. You must leash your dog up at this point unless it's winter.

Dogs playing in lake Ontario in Toronto

As you continue, you'll come to a fenced-in dog park along the lake. This is known as Kew Gardens Dog Park. It's one of the better dog parks I've seen in terms of size, terrain - sand, lake, and trees, and cleanliness.

Although you can continue walking much further, I usually turn north at Kew Beach and walk along Queen Street back to my car. There are a few places to stop for a snack along the way, and Queen Street is dog-friendly with an opportunity for your dog to get used to walking on sidewalks with lots of shops, people, and dogs.

Doodle on the beach in Toronto
Location: 360 Lake Front, Toronto, ON M4E 1A7, Canada

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