At the foot of Leslie Street, a 5 kilometre-long peninsula juts out into Lake Ontario. Weekends, year round, the Leslie Street Spit (Tommy Thompson Park) is open to bikers, hikers, picnickers, birdwatchers, wildflower afficionados – anyone wanting to spend quality time with Mother Nature. No dogs are allowed because there’s so much animal, bird and plant life on the Spit – over 400 plant species, 300 bird species, reptiles, butterflies, foxes, otters, coyotes and beaver. Trails are paved and well maintained, and there are several off-trail areas as well.