Residents around Toronto’s Woodbine Beach are raising concerns about festival noise, litter and unsafe fireworks use after a Victoria Day weekend that brought several large gatherings to the area.
Beach Metro Community News reported that residents described disruptive behaviour around the beach and excessive sound from the Electric Island music festival at Woodbine Park. Toronto police told the newspaper that officers made five arrests at Ashbridges Bay on Monday, May 18, including two related to fireworks.
The complaints followed two days of music at Woodbine Park and the city’s Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay on Monday evening. Residents shared their accounts through emails and social media posts.
Festival noise prompts councillor’s response
Electric Island ran on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, with scheduled hours of 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Residents complained about the volume following Saturday’s opening night, including persistent bass sounds affecting the surrounding neighbourhood.
Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford responded in a Facebook post after the first night. He said the sound was unacceptable and could be felt kilometres from the park.
Bradford said he had spoken with event organizers, who agreed to lower the volume for Sunday. He also said he would speak with the on-site bylaw supervisor to ensure noise was carefully managed and remained within the event’s permit requirements.
The report did not establish whether the reduced volume resolved residents’ concerns on the festival’s second day.
Police report five Victoria Day arrests
Residents also reported litter, discarded barbecue charcoal, fireworks being directed into crowds and property vandalism over the weekend. Those accounts were shared with the newspaper or posted on social media.
One resident described unusually heavy crowds and traffic while trying to return to Woodbine station on the 92 bus after Monday’s fireworks. Others questioned whether police had adequately addressed illegal fireworks use and suggested relocating future city fireworks displays.
Before the weekend, Supt. David Correa of 55 Division announced that additional officers and specialized units would be deployed. He outlined the public safety plan at a May 15 news conference at the Woodbine Beach Bathing Station.
In its response to the newspaper after the weekend, Toronto Police Service said it had increased its presence along Ashbridges Bay and Woodbine Beach, using mounted officers and patrols on foot, bicycles and ATVs.
Police communications advisor Nadine Ramadan said officers responded to illegal behaviour and made arrests. The newspaper’s report did not provide details of the charges associated with the five arrests.
