Flooding on Toronto’s islands
Residents zen, even as businesses face plummeting revenues
The Toronto Islands, a popular tourist destination and home to hundreds of city residents, are a soggy mess where carp are spawning on flooded roadways, public attractions are shuttered and large areas are under water.
Rising water levels in Lake Ontario, brought on in part by heavy rains in recent weeks, have led the city to close the islands to the general public and cancel permits for scheduled events until June 30.
More than half the buildings on the Toronto Islands – which sit a short ferry ride from the city’s downtown core – are threatened by water levels that are expected to keep rising for several weeks even if there’s no more rain.
Yet island residents – who dub themselves islanders – appear zen about it all, even those whose businesses face plummeting revenues.
Peter Freeman, part owner of the Island Cafe, said he’s just hoping to survive the flood, and will be open for business this weekend despite the entire patio being underwater.
“Our dance floor has actually floated upward,” Freeman said, noting he’s had to lay off some staff. “We’re hoping the stage will not float away. I think it’s going to be OK.”
Freeman, like many others who live on the island, has marvelled at the effect the rising water has had.
“Every day you walk the dog is a different experience cause the landscape is completely different,” he said. “There are carp swimming around all over the island and all the wildlife is much more ... revitalized.”
A peacock from the Far Away Farm on the island has flown the coop and is in front of Freeman’s house, he said, more than three kilometres from its home.
“It’s bizarre, the whole thing. Just a surreal situation.”
Susan Roy, who has lived in the community for decades, echoed Freeman’s attitude.
“We’re islanders and we’re pretty resilient,” she said. “It is incredible to see nature taking back the island. You know, the island comes from nature and now it’s like it’s going back to nature.”
Roy, who is chair of a Toronto Island community group, noted that most homes haven’t been heavily damaged but a lot of uncertainty remains over when full access to the islands will resume.
“We’re not sure when the island will be open to the public again, so that’s hard to take,” she said. “But all things considered, it could be much worse.”