See Toronto like a tourist

If you had just four days, where would you go in TO?
Trying to pack in the best of the city in short span, a challenge
By Kris Scheuer

If I can swing it financially, I am going to Europe this fall specifically to Paris, Rome and London.
No this is NOT a blog post about my trip – it’s about Toronto.
One of the challenges of this vacation, besides money, is how to see these historical, romantic, cultural European gems when I may have just three or four days in each of these world class cities.
And it got me thinking…if I had only four days and nights in Toronto what would be on my to do list?

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Dogs banned at Sunnyside Beach in warm weather

Dogs will be allowed on-leash only in winter
Summer, spring, fall access will be off limits
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Oct. 28 for Town Crier.)

A policy approved by city council will see all dogs barred from Sunnyside Beach in the spring, summer and part of the fall. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

Pooches will soon be forbidden for part of the year at Sunnyside Beach — even if they’re on a leash.
Currently, residents can walk their dogs on-leash all year at the west end beachfront.
City council, acting on a staff recommendation that on-leash access at this local beach be restricted to winter months only, approved the new policy on Oct. 27.
Dogs will be banned from Sunnyside Beach in the spring, summer and part of the fall, effective April 1. Under the proposed policy, dogs would be allowed on-leash only between Nov. 1 and March 31.
Parkdale-High Park councillor Bill Saundercook vowed to contest any further changes limiting access for dogs at Sunnyside Beach.

Dogs allowed off-leash on beaches

Pooches will permitted off lead at Kew-Balmy and Woodbine beaches
This trial run will be only during winter months and needs city approval
Parks committee approved compromise today
By Kris Scheuer
(Originally written Oct. 15 for Town Crier.)

Chris Yaccato, left, with Boo and Diane McConnell with Callie asked the city for a compromise policy for dogs on the beach.

After a battle with the city, a compromise has been struck to allow dogs on beaches in the winter months.
Councillor Sandra Bussin hashed out a compromise that was endorsed unanimously at the Parks and Environment Committee on Oct. 15.
For two beaches at Woodbine and Kew-Balmy, dog owners will be allowed to let their pooches run free off-leash between Nov. 1 to March 31 for a trail run.
In the summer, the dogs won’t be allowed on these beaches either on or off a lead but instead will be relegated to existing nearby off-leash dog parks at Silverbirch and Kew Gardens.

How swimmable are Toronto beaches?

The city tested eleven beaches daily in swim season
Here is a wrap up of how clean the water was summer ’09
Some beaches safe daily, others posted high levels of E.coli
By Kris Scheuer

Councillor Bill Saundercook swims at Sunnyside in mid-June with his wedding suit on to promote how safe it is. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

It’s a little chilly for a dive in the lake at any of Toronto’s beaches now, but these hot spots are packed all summer.
Interestingly, most people go down for a stroll on the boardwalk or walk their dog, but not for a swim in the water.
But our beaches are top notch, in most cases. In fact seven of them fly a Blue Flag, which is an international rating.
And the city tests beach water daily from June 1 to the first week of September.
So just how well did Toronto’s 11 beaches stack up this season?
Take a look for yourself.

Toronto swim conditions Sept 5

For third day in a row, all eleven beaches safe to swim
City water tests post positive results today for beaches
By Kris Scheuer

Never mind that this gentleman "flashed" me before he dove in. It was a great shot of him splashing into the lake at Woodbine Beach. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

Is it just me or does it seem like summer is finally here?
Better late that not at all. I will take what I can get.
For the third day in a row it has been sunny and warm.
And with the Labour Day long weekend here many of us city folk may be flocking to the beaches to soak it all in.
All the beaches have safe levels of E.coli. This means 100 E.coli (or less) per 100 ml of water.
The city tests water at eleven beaches plus the Sunnyside Enclosure daily during the summer season.
I have the results below for Sept. 5.

Safe to swim Unsafe to swim
		1. Marie Curtis Park East Beach				6. Ward’s Island Beach
		2. Sunnyside Beach				7. Cherry Beach
		2a. Sunnyside Enclosure				8. Woodbine Beaches
		3. Hanlan’s Point Beach				9. Kew -Balmy Beach
		4. Gibraltar Point Beach				10. Bluffer’s Park Beach
		5. Centre Island Beach				11. Rouge Beach

Results are posted online and updated at 3 p.m. each day.

Beach water safe for swimming Aug 16

Water tests show positive results at ten Toronto beaches
Marie Curtis the only beach unsafe to swim today: city
By Kris Scheuer

I went for a 3.5 hour walk in the hot sun today that took me right down to Sunnyside Beach.
It is one of eleven beaches the city tests daily and results posted today show it was safe for splashing about.
I saw lot of people tanning on the beach, on the grass in the park and also cooling off in the lake water at Sunnyside. Not only were they in the beach water, but kids were at the splash pad and the outdoor pool was packed.
I did not make it to the other beaches today, but I am sure people were having just as much fun at them.

All Toronto beaches safe to swim

Eleven beaches produce positive water tests
Latest results are positive for all beaches for first time in weeks
By Kris Scheuer

Oh happy days.
For what I believe may be the first time this summer, all Toronto beaches have the green light from public health as safe for swimming. This means tests show 100 E.coli or less per 100 ml of water.
The latest results posted today are for Aug. 8. Too bad there’s a thunderstorm today so it’s unlikely anyone will be swimming in the lake, but never mind that. It’s supposed to feel like 40 C today and if the sun comes out we will all need to cool off in that lovely lake water.

Beach water testing resumes post strike

Toronto’s 11 designated swimming beaches get daily tests again

By Kris Scheuer
The long weekend has begun and so has monitoring beach water for E.coli levels.
The water department tests daily and posts results the following day on the city’s site.
Starting August 1, you can check which beach Toronto Public Health recommends as safe for swimming.

Woodbine beach swimming unsafe

Swims not recommended at Sunnyside, Kew-Balmy and Bluffer’s either: city
Cherry only beach with low E.coli levels in water department latest tests
By Kris Scheuer

Toronto water departmentis testing water quality at five city beaches. The latest test, on Monday, was posted on July 28 and indicates only one of these beaches has a safe enough level of E.coli for Toronto Public Health to declare it safe for swimming. So dive right in at Cherry Beach, the water is just fine.
The weather is starting to pick up, so let me know what the water temperature is like if you do head down there.
Keep in mind that the city, which normally tests water daily at 11 beaches, is doing modified testing during the strike which is not officially over yet. So check the city’s site for the latest as new tests are conducted Monday-Friday at Sunnyside, Kew-Balmy, Woodbine, Cherry and Bluffer’s beaches.

Toronto beaches unsafe to swim

City water tests reveal four city beaches temporarily contain too much E.coli
Sunnyside, Woodbine, Balmy, Bluffer’s beaches are risky for swims today: city
By Kris Scheuer

Swimmer dives in at Woodbine Beach. Photo by Kris Scheuer/Town Crier.

The good news is Cherry Beach is totally safe for a splashing in, according to the July 24 test results by the water department.
Unfortunately, that is the only Toronto beach with safe levels of E.coli posted today.
The city recommends against swimming at Sunnyside, Woodbine, Kew-Balmy and Bluffer’s due to high levels of E.coli detected in beach water.
So Torontonians and visitors, would you swim at any of the city’s beaches?
Have your say, are our beaches swim worthy or not?