Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach is an urban beach that was opened in 2010 in an attempt to make the shoreline more accessible to the public and to revitalize the space. The name Sugar Beach is a reference to the Redbath Sugar Refinery, which can be seen just opposite the beach and the park was clearly designed with that sugar theme in mind. The fine, white sand looks almost a bit like sugar, the large granite rocks are painted in red and white stripes similar to a bonbon and then there are the patio umbrellas in that perfect shade of pink candy floss. Contrary to what the name “beach” might actually suggest, the area does not allow for swimming or bathing in the Lake Ontario water and instead is a recreational and relaxation space. Beneath the pink umbrellas, white beach chairs dot the sand and invite for a relaxing afternoon with a book or some good company.
This mix of playful, whimsical candy land and hip urban beach with a view of cargo ships, the industrial sugar plant and the skyscrapers of downtown works and apart from all the sand, Sugar Beach also offers a plaza as well as a tree lined promenade. Despite the no swimming signs, an aquatic play area for children as well as adults lets visitors dip their toes into some water jets after all and allows for some cooling off.

Practical Info

Sugar Beach can be found south of Queens Quay and across the Redbath Sugar Refinery along the shoreline of downtown Toronto. It is only a few blocks away from Union Station and can thus be easily reached on foot. The beach can be visited all year round and doesn’t have any opening hours.