Protecting Hanlan's Point Beach - by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher

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The decision

2026-05-20 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on May 20 and 21, 2026, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, to work with the local Councillor and Hanlan's Point Beach Working Group on an urgent basis on the development and immediate implementation of a Hanlan's Point Beach Access Plan that ensures safe public access to the beach, including through increased beach capacity where possible, and the addition of sand through accelerated procurement in every feasible way, and guided by the site-specific context of this historic 2SLGBTQ+ space, that supports protecting the natural environment and is implemented beginning the start of the Pride Month on June 1st.

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2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, to work with the local Councillor and Hanlan's Point Beach Working Group on a comprehensive shoreline restoration program for implementation beginning in Fall 2026 and in place by Spring 2027 that addresses loss of historic beach area in the central and southern sections of Hanlan's Beach and ensures the long-term viability and community use of the beach and pursue all acceleration opportunities in 2026.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

For over eight continuous decades, 2SLGBTQ+ people in Toronto have used Hanlan's Point Beach and the surrounding area as a community hub and place of gathering. It is Canada's and Toronto's oldest surviving queer space, as well as one of the ten oldest surviving queer spaces around the globe. With high water levels in Lake Ontario, some access points to Hanlan's Point Beach have been closed. Hanlan's Point Beach has experienced significant erosion over the years, and the recently expanded beach area is critical to providing community space for people in this busy season.

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At the request of Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, City staff and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority staff have been actively working with stakeholders to review options that keep the south portion of Hanlan's Point Beach accessible and recognise the ecological sensitivity of the beach. As part of the Toronto Island Park Plan, there is a beach renourishment study underway, reporting in June to working groups. This motion is urgent given the high water levels have made the south point of Hanlan's Point Beach inaccessible.

Staff recommended

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, to work with the local Councillor and Hanlan's Point Beach Working Group on an urgent basis on the development and immediate implementation of a Hanlan's Point Beach Access Plan that ensures safe public access to the beach, including through increased beach capacity where possible and guided by the site-specific context of this historic 2SLGBTQ+ space, that supports protecting the natural environment and is implemented beginning the start of the Pride Month on June 1st.

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On the record

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