Thousand Islands Thousand Islands-Frontenac Arch region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The Thousand Islands Bridge connects New York State and Ontario by traversing Wellesley Island at the northernmost point of Interstate 81 in Jefferson County and meets Highway 137, which leads to Highway 401. The waterfront is served by New York State Routes 12 and 37 and by the Thousand Islands Parkway in Ontario. Ontario also has the Waterfront Trail alongside the Parkway for cyclists who wish to see the area in an alternative way. Large freighters frequently ply the Saint Lawrence Seaway, but the area has
Thousand Islands Parkway Thousand Islands Bridge. It continues northeast, serving the riverside communities of Darlingside, Rockport, Narrows, La Rue Mills and Mallorytown Landing. At Butternut Bay, the Thousand Islands Parkway merges into Highway 401 eastbound and a left-hand exit provides access to the parkway from westbound Highway 401. Throughout most of the length of the parkway, a recreational trail parallels to the north. The Thousands Islands Parkway follows what was the original alignment for Highway 401. However, because of the residential properties and the scenic nature of the route, a new inland route was constructed through the mid-1960s. The recreational trail follows the