PortsToronto’s “Duckling Docks” Return to Toronto Harbour

Today, PortsToronto crews deployed six Duckling Docks in the Toronto Harbour. This project began in 2021 in response to reports about a lack of resting places for ducklings along the Toronto waterfront. The Duckling Docks, designed in consultation with the Toronto Wildlife Centre, provide an accessible resting platform for ducklings still growing their waterproof down. The duckling season typically runs until mid-July.

Each dock is a wooden platform, 12-inches wide and six-feet long attached to an existing floating dock or dock wall. The docks are equipped with a beveled edge and gritty surface to make it easier for ducklings, and ducks, to climb aboard.

This year, for the first time, PortsToronto collaborated with both the students at the Waterfront School and the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre to decorate the duckling docks with innovative designs before they were installed. These bright and colourful designs ensure the docks are easily visible and they serve a dual purpose of helping the duckling secure a place to rest as well as being pieces of floating public art. The Duckling Docks are installed in sets of three and can be found at the Portland and York slips.