By Anjo Pallasigui
The first time you step onto the boardwalk at The Beaches, it’s hard to believe you’re still in the city. That’s what Cherie discovers in the premiere episode of Neighbourhoods, a new show that explores the charm, quirks, and history of the communities that shape Toronto.
Stretching from Coxwell to Victoria Park Avenue, The Beaches is where the lake feels like your front yard. In this episode, Cherie walks the nearly 3-kilometer boardwalk, visits the 100-year-old Leuty Lifeguard Station, and shows us why Woodbine Beach is one of the liveliest spots in the city—especially in summer.
But this isn’t just a tour. It’s a reminder of how layered a neighborhood can be. From Holy Tacos’ messy-but-worth-it shrimp to the historic Fox Theatre that’s still running vintage projectors, the episode weaves local flavor with stories that stick. There’s music at the Victorian gazebo in Kew Gardens, remembrances at the nearby cenotaph, and a jazz festival that turns Queen Street into a stage every July.
Cherie also takes us to the RC Harris Water Treatment Plant, known as the “Palace of Purification”—proof that even public infrastructure can be beautiful. She ends the day with a scoop of burnt marshmallow from Ed’s Real Scoop, one of the top 100 ice cream flavors in the world, apparently. Sweet, literal and figurative.
In a city constantly growing and changing, Neighbourhoods pauses to notice what remains. From civic groups preserving shoreline history to taco vendors handing out shrimp for free, The Beaches reminds us that a good neighborhood isn’t just about the view—it’s about the people who keep showing up.
