Hidden waterfront parkette in Toronto to be transformed into full park
A small Toronto parkette fronting Lake Ontario will be expanded into a full-on park following the purchase of two adjacent properties by the City.
The Sand Beach Road Parkette near Lake Shore Blvd. and Royal York Rd. in Etobicoke is set to grow significantly after the City acquired $7.6 million worth of adjacent land, with plans to integrate these properties into an expanded footprint and transform the quaint green space into a new waterfront destination.
Councillor Amber Morley shared news of the park expansion on social media, writing, "More public waterfront space is coming to South Etobicoke."
"The City has acquired new land to expand Sand Beach Road Parkette and create a direct connection from Lake Shore Blvd W to the waterfront," said Morley, adding that "Public consultation and design begin in 2027."
In August, the City purchased a property at 1 Sand Beach Rd. for just shy of $5.1 million. The former long-term care facility adjacent to the existing parkette is planned for demolition, while its over 11,750-square-foot site — including 115 feet of lakefront — is set to be integrated into the expanded park.
The acquisition of 1 Sand Beach Rd. comes on the heels of the City's May 2026 purchase of a property at 2707 Lake Shore Blvd. W. for over $2.5 million. The almost 8,300-square-foot site and its 65 feet of waterfront frontage would also be added to the parkette.
Together, the two properties would add 180 feet of lake frontage to the small parkette while massively expanding its footprint. The park would also benefit greatly from the increased visibility with the addition of the Lake Shore Blvd. site, connecting the main thoroughfare to the expanded waterfront site.
