There is something truly specialabout the islands.
There is somethingtruly special aboutthe islands.
A Love Letter to Toronto
Originally from Montreal, I must admit that the first time I visited Toronto, I felt somewhat overwhelmed by its urban density. In Montreal, after long and unforgiving winters, summer brings with it an almost collective need to reconnect with the outside world. Parks, terraces, and public spaces suddenly come alive as people gather, socialize, and make the most of the warmer months.
When I arrived in Toronto, I found myself wondering where people escaped to during the summer. Beyond restaurants and cafés, where did people go to slow down, gather with friends, and reconnect with nature? Did everyone simply leave the city for cottages up north?
Then a friend told me he was taking me to the beach.
“A beach in the city?” I asked.
To my surprise, we boarded a ferry and made our way to the Toronto Islands, heading toward Hanlan’s Point. What struck me immediately was the feeling of complete separation from the city, despite being only minutes from downtown Toronto. Within a short boat ride, the skyline gave way to open water, trees, sand, and a pace of life that felt entirely different.
I was equally surprised to discover that Hanlan’s Point was an official clothing-optional beach — something I did not even realize existed in Canada. There was a sense of openness and freedom to the space that felt rare and deeply human.
We spent the entire day there, staying until the last ferry back. We met people, explored the shoreline, and I remember thinking how fortunate Torontonians were to have a place like this woven into the fabric of their city.
On the return trip, with the skyline illuminated in the distance, the CN Tower rising above the city, and planes descending toward Billy Bishop Airport overhead, something about Toronto suddenly felt different to me. That day became an important moment in my relationship with the city — the moment I truly began to fall in love with it.
To this day, I still feel the same way.
– Jeremi Chenier, Co-founder Keep Hanlan’s Beautiful
What the mountain is to the Montrealer, the island is to the people of Toronto.
About Keep Hanlan’s Beautiful
Established in the spring of 2026, Keep Hanlan’s Beautiful was founded by two Toronto residents who, over several summers, witnessed a decline in the quality of the experience at Hanlan’s Point Beach—Canada’s oldest surviving queer space and one of only two officially recognized clothing-optional beaches in the country.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to protect the environmental and social integrity of Hanlan’s Point Beach by safeguarding its fragile dunes and fostering a culture of safety, respect, and environmental stewardship. Through education and awareness, we seek to inspire a deeper sense of civic responsibility—preserving a clean, respectful, and harmonious environment for generations to come.
In partnership with local community and citizen organizations, and by listening to visitors, we aim to assess the impact of our initiatives and measure their effectiveness over time to achieve meaningful, tangible results.
What the mountain is to Montrealer, the island is to people of Toronto.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to protect the environmental and social integrity of Hanlan’s Point Beach by safeguarding its fragile dunes and fostering a culture of safety, respect, and environmental stewardship. Through education and awareness, we seek to inspire a deeper sense of civic responsibility—preserving a clean, respectful, and harmonious environment for generations to come.
In partnership with local community and citizen organizations, and by listening to visitors, we aim to assess the impact of our initiatives and measure their effectiveness over time to achieve meaningful, tangible results.
OUR MAIN FOCUS
3 Key Environmental and Social Challenges
With help of the community and partners, here are three key challenges that shape our work as a citizen-led organization committed to protecting and preserving the environmental and social integrity of Hanlan’s Point Beach.
01
Coastal Erosion andDune Degradation
Sand dunes at Hanlan’s Point Beach are not just part of the landscape—they are essential natural defenses that protect the shoreline from erosion. Stabilized by vegetation such as marram grass, they trap sand, reduce wave energy during storms and from vessel-generated wake, and help maintain the beach’s structure over time.
According to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, dunes along the Lake Ontario shoreline function as critical natural buffers that reduce erosion and help protect coastal environments from flooding and wave action.
Despite restoration efforts led by the City of Toronto, including fencing, replanting, and designated access routes, continued foot traffic through protected areas continues to damage vegetation. Once dune plants such as marram grass are disturbed, the system loses stability, and erosion accelerates.
Research from Ontario’s coastal conservation programs shows that vegetated dunes are significantly more resistant to erosion than bare sand systems, and even light, repeated trampling can prevent natural recovery and plant re-establishment over time.
02
Public Conduct andResponsible Use ofSpace
Hanlan’s Point Beach has long been known as a place of openness and self-expression, and remains one of Canada’s most iconic clothing-optional beaches.
In recent years, increased visitation has brought a wider range of behaviours into the same area. This has included instances of public drug use, sexual activity in open areas, and other conduct that can make parts of the beach uncomfortable or inaccessible for other visitors.
Keeping Hanlan’s Point enjoyable for everyone depends on simple consideration in how people use the space and how their actions affect those around them. When expectations are unclear or ignored, the experience of the beach changes for everyone.
03
Littering andEnvironmental Impact
Littering continues to affect the natural experience and ecological health of Hanlan’s Point Beach. Items left behind—especially food packaging, plastics, and cigarette butts—accumulate quickly in high-use areas and are difficult to fully remove from sand and shoreline environments.
Cigarette butts are particularly harmful. They are the most commonly littered item in the world and contain filters made of plastic fibers that do not fully break down. According to shoreline cleanup data from the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts consistently rank as the #1 most collected item during global beach cleanups, often numbering in the millions each year.
Beyond visibility, this type of waste has a direct environmental impact. Studies show that a single cigarette butt can leach toxic chemicals into water and soil, affecting wildlife and contributing to long-term pollution in coastal ecosystems.
What We Do
Our Commitments in Action
Keep Hanlan’s Beautiful commit to a hands-on, community-driven approach to protecting both the environment and the visitor experience.
Volunteer Program & Community Engagement
By running a trained volunteer program supported by informational community gatherings, we equip volunteers to engage with visitors, share key environmental messages, and encourage respectful use of sensitive areas such as the dunes.
On-Site Awareness & Information Hub
By maintaining stationary information points at Hanlan’s Point Beach, we provide visitors with opportunities to ask questions and access educational materials.
Digital Outreach & Social Media Campaigns
By maintaining an active social media presence, we extend awareness beyond the beach itself. Campaigns focus on dune protection, litter reduction, and respectful behaviour, while reinforcing key messages before and after visits.
Fundraising & Community Events
By organizing and participating in fundraising initiatives, we support educational outreach, volunteer coordination, and on-the-ground awareness efforts at the beach.
Cross-Sector Educational Partnerships
By collaborating with local organizations and subject-matter experts, we deliver public education through public health organizations focused on substance use awareness and safety in public spaces, as well as environmental and wildlife experts who help communicate the ecological importance of Hanlan’s Point Beach, including its dune systems, shoreline ecosystem, and the impact of littering.
Visitor Feedback & Surveys
By collecting visitor feedback through short surveys and informal engagement on-site and online, we better understand visitor experiences, identify recurring issues, and measure the effectiveness of our initiatives over time.