TORONTO ISLANDS: OASES OF CALM
by Tooker Gomberg

Darwin marveled at the Galapagos, remote islands where unique animals evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. I often wonder if humans can re-evolve towards harmony with the earth.

The islands that capture my imagination are just a short ferry ride from Toronto's manic mayhem. What makes them special is that they are free from cars, oases without gridlock. Places where, with less asphalt, there's plenty of room for nature's green to grow.

I coast my bicycle past Toronto's Bay Street towers, habitat of Canada's most powerful lawyers and stock brokers, to Lake Ontario. Five bucks and I'm on the Toronto Islands ferry and, after a breezy ten minute ride, the world is transformed. Leaving the car exhaust fumes behind, my lungs soak up the island garden fragrances. The only honking here is from Canada Geese.

Since 1833, when the first hotel opened on the islands, Torontonians have been escaping the bustle of city life for this calmer sanity. Prior to that, the native people appreciated it as a sacred place of healing; a place where different tribes would gather and lay down their weapons.

The Toronto Islands began as sandbars in Lake Ontario and over the years have evolved into a handful of lush green islands connected by paved bicycle paths. On these islands feet rule, and the bicycle is king.

Far away from the maddening cry of billboards and streetside video ads, you slow down and realize that survival without cars is bliss. Kids have the run of the boardwalk with not a speeding drunk driver in sight.

In most North American cities, 40% of the space is paved for cars. Free up that space and marvelous things happen: trees and marshes host birds and frogs. If you're one of the lucky 262 households on the islands, you can meet your neighbours while kayaking, playing frisbee golf, or splashing around the clothing-optional beach.

Islands without cars are returning to European cities. In Germany, Italy, France and elsewhere it's normal for downtowns to be free of congestion by being car-free. Business thrives when shoppers escape harassment from motor vehicles. Last year's September 22nd Car-Free Day was observed by over 60 million people in 700 cities and towns, primarily in Europe. New European suburban communities are being built with parking lots at the edge and only non-motorized vehicles allowed within.

Why not in Montreal? Walker-friendly-but-too-short Prince Arthur Street could extend like a tentacle from the downtown. Milton street could link up with it as a green, pedestrian and bicycle friendly corridor from the McGill Campus. Parking stalls throughout the downtown could be transformed into bicycle paths and gardens - let a million flowers bloom.

Canada is suffering under its hottest and smoggiest summer ever. As the urban air we breathe sears our lungs, and as the world ponders how to avert a climate crisis and move beyond fossil fuels, let's hope that the Toronto Islands help inspire a new path of city evolution.