Toronto's Historical Plaques

Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Sunnyside Amusement Park

I found a 1983 Toronto Historical Board plaque attached to this wall at the east end of the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion on Toronto's western shoreline east of the Humber River. I had heard of the amusement park but knew little about it until I read the plaque. Here's what it says:

The name originates from John George Howard's Sunnyside Farm, established nearby in 1849. Begun in 1922 by the Toronto Harbour Commissioners, Sunnyside, with its thrilling rides including the roller coaster, Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, became the best known amusement park in Canada. Its many features included the famed boardwalk, nearly 4 km long, which was the focus of Toronto's annual Easter Parade. Adjacent to the Bathing Pavilion (1921), the swimming pool was opened in 1925, and in the next year the first Miss Toronto Beauty Contest was held there. The Palais Royale (1921) became a popular dance hall, and in the Sunnyside Bandstand, concerts and singsongs were held. Sunnyside Stadium, built in 1925, was the first softball park to install lights for night games. Sunnyside Amusement Park was demolished in 1956 to make way for the Gardiner Expressway.

43.637861;-79.455754

Photo by Alan L Brown - September 2006

Related page
Scarboro' Beach Amusement Park

More 'Parks and Recreation' pages

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