Long Branch is a well established neighbourhood located along the Toronto waterfront at the extreme south-west part of the city. This neighbourhood is in transition with many new home developments being built along Lakeshore Boulevard. This lakeside village is blessed with many fine attributes including picturesque waterfront parks, a local arena, a public library, a waterfront trail, a Go Transit station and a vibrant shopping district. The Long Branch BIA is very active in making their neighbourhood a better place to live, work, shop, visit and play. Their efforts are responsible for the distinctive nautical blue lamp posts that line Lake Shore Boulevard West. These cast-iron lamp posts are dressed up with seasonal banners. Decorative interlocking brickwork on the sidewalks together with planter boxes and seats make for an attractive streetscape. The street especially sparkles at Christmastime when decorative lights resembling candy canes adorn the street lamps. The children will delight in the Santa Claus parade along the Lake Shore which always occurs on the first Saturday in December. There are over 125 shops, restaurants and professional service businesses along this route. Many of these shops are owner operated. The street theme on Lake Shore Boulevard is “Toronto’s Village by the Lake”.