Toronto Beach/Park Conservation Area With Beach and Picnic Within View

June 3, 2023 6:50 AM

So this weekend didn't work out. But i can go to the beach next saturday. Is there a beach (park/conservation area etc.) within a 2-hour-not-on-the-highway drive of Toronto where the picnic/barbecuing area is within view of the beach?

Basically I'd like to be able to claim a picnic table and have stuff there including barbecue and such and also set up a towel sun-shelter on the beach and be able to go comfortably between them without feeling like I have abandonned the barbecuing area when I go to the beach.

I do have a 6 year old but I'm NOT expecting anything so close that I could send my son to the beach alone while being at the picnic table myself. My son would not be anywhere near the water without me very nearby, not just "within site".

I have as a child been to conservation areas around brampton/mississauga like Heart Lake and Professor Lake, but I don't remember what the beach vs. picnic area is at those areas. West preferred over north or east, but this is a preference not an absolute requirement.

posted by If only I had a penguin... to Travel & Transportation around Old Toronto, ON (5 answers total)

I'd say it might be worth looking north. Barrie might be a good choice. Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching would also be areas I'd consider (see the first two on this list). Depending on how heavy the traffic is on the non-400 series highways it may take you a bit longer than two hours but that's driving in southern Ontario. Midland would also be nice, but it's further and would just add to your drive time.
posted by sardonyx at 10:36 AM on June 3, 2023

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority site may help you narrow down your choices. I was all ready to recommend Petticoat Creek Conservation in Pickering, which you can get to via Kingston Road driving east out of Toronto, (I hate highway driving in the GTA too). Then I saw that you're less interested in the east side of the GTA. I believe they have barbecue areas, but I'm not 100% sure how close they are to the water. The map should narrow down what is available where.

Other parks on the east end are Port Union Waterfront Park, which is right next to Port Union Village Common Park, which has a nice playground and splash pad. There is a parking lot right next to the playground, but I'm not sure about barbecue rules. You can walk a long way on the waterfront here, but that may not be a selling point if you want to set up a spot and stay around it for the day.

I hope you find a great option that works for you and your son!
posted by melissa at 12:56 PM on June 3, 2023

I believe you can bring your own grill to Kelso Conservation area in Milton -- looks like the picnic tables near the beach are not reservable but maybe worth a shot?
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 5:10 AM on June 4, 2023

If you’re up to get there early, the Toronto Islands are a great getaway. You could book a picnic spot if you want to bring a charcoal BBQ and not risk not getting one, although I’m not sure if they’re within sight of a beach. This spot is where we have had days out, near the Franklin Children’s garden.

Port Union’s beaches are all rock, so not great for swimming/wading (great for rock throwing though). If you don’t mind the risk of unpermitted BBQ and unmonitored water quality, and promise to follow fire safety, and don’t mind both driving to southeast Scarborough and bringing a wagon or equivalent up and down a (shaded) big hill, MeMail me and I know a perfect spot that a few ppl use. Bonus: you can’t see any city from it.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:07 AM on June 4, 2023

Oh also, port union’s picnic areas are separated from the water by the GO train. It’s truly lovely but not really for settling in.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:10 AM on June 4, 2023