Remaking Toronto Island Commemorative Plaque, 2015
File information | File dimensions | File size | Options |
Original JPG File | 8400 × 6000 pixels (50.4 MP) 71.1 cm × 50.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
8.3 MB | Restricted |
Low resolution print | 2000 × 1429 pixels (2.86 MP) 16.9 cm × 12.1 cm @ 300 PPI |
1.0 MB | Restricted |
Screen | 1120 × 800 pixels (0.9 MP) 9.5 cm × 6.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
306 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
5174
Access
Open
Address
12 Avenue of the Island
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2015
Historical Themes
Parks and Natural Heritage, Towns and Villages
Program Category
Historical Plaques
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
1954-1998
Caption
Remaking Toronto Island Commemorative Plaque, 2015
Description
As early as 1880, homes and businesses lined the streets of Toronto Island from Hanlan's Point to Ward's Island. Before the Second World War, there were more than 600 leased residences. However, shortly after its establishment in 1953, the Metropolitan Toronto Council (Metro) began to expropriate land to create a new public park for the growing city, compensating for waterfront parkland lost through the construction of the Gardiner Expressway.
Metro began bulldozing residences and businesses as Island leases expired. By 1960, one-third of all buildings had been demolished and the land cleared. In response, a coalition of residents and politicians advocated for, and won, an extension of the remaining leases, thereby delaying Metro's plans.
Toronto City Council increasingly favoured the Island community and its newly formed Residents Association and voted, in 1973, to preserve the remaining homes, predominantly on Ward's and Algonquin Islands. Following an intense legal battle between Toronto City Council and Metro, a 1981 provincial inquiry recommended that residents be allowed to stay for 25 years. The community's permanence was secured a decade later through provincial legislation, permitting the purchase of 99-year leases from a land trust.
Marker lat / long: 43.618792, -79.374048 (WGS84)