The City of Toronto encourages residents and visitors of all ages to celebrate Canada’s 153rd birthday on Wednesday, July 1. Although many City attractions remain closed due to COVID-19, the City continues to gradually reopen services and amenities for residents to enjoy.
Those heading outside are reminded to adhere to Toronto Public Health’s advice to wash hands often, stay within their social circle of no more than 10 people, avoid crowds, practise physical distancing, and wear a face covering or mask in all indoor public spaces.
City pools and splash pads
Torontonians can cool off at all of the City’s 140 splash pads and 56 outdoor swimming pools that will be open on Canada Day, with the exception of Summerville, Alexandra Park and Kiwanis outdoor pools which are undergoing repairs. The City’s 100 wading pools will begin to open on July 1 on a location-by-location basis.
In order to allow for physical distancing, the capacity at outdoor pools will be significantly reduced to 25 per cent. Swimmers will be limited to 45-minute sessions to allow for cleaning. Full details are available at toronto.ca/swim.
City beaches
Toronto beaches are open, and lifeguards will supervise swim areas from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The four Toronto Island Park beaches will open for swimming on July 1. Rouge Valley Beach remains closed this season. For more information on the City’s beaches please visit toronto.ca/beaches. Water quality reports for local beaches are available at http://www.toronto.ca/health/s
The City has increased the amount of waste bins along the waterfront and will be emptying those in high traffic areas more frequently. If a litter bin is full, residents are asked to take their garbage with them so it can be disposed of properly. Any overflowing bins or litter hot spots should be reported to 311.
City parks
Most amenities in City parks are open including:
• picnic shelters
• fixed BBQs
• soccer and multi-use outdoor fields, including running tracks in parks
• baseball diamonds and basketball courts
• some public tennis courts and pickleball courts
• lawn bowling and outdoor bocce
• outdoor pools and splash pads
• off-leash dog parks
• BMX locations and skateboard parks
• City-run golf courses and disc golf locations
• ravine green spaces, beaches, trails and boardwalks for walking, running or biking
• fishing with a licence, boating, kayaking and canoeing.
Park amenities that remain closed include playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment.
Individuals are not permitted to play team sports on fields or courts intended for this purpose unless they are members of the same household. For more information please visit the City Services webpage.
All five City golf courses will be open and will offer holiday rates on July 1. These affordable, high-quality, TTC-accessible courses are open daily over the summer. More information is available at toronto.ca/golf.
Public washroom facilities
Park washrooms will be open to the public on July 1. In addition, the City has opened a number of facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for all individuals in need of these services. More details including health guidelines for washrooms are available on the City Services webpage.
Residents using public washrooms should maintain a distance of two metres or six feet from others at all times while waiting in line and wash hands or use hand sanitizer. It is also recommended that masks or face coverings are worn, especially when physical distancing is difficult.
Toronto Island Park public ferry and beaches
The public ferry service recently resumed operations at 50 per cent capacity. A number of COVID-19 guidelines and procedures are in place to protect passengers and staff. Tickets are limited to 5,000 per day. Visitors must purchase tickets online in advance at toronto.ca/ferry.
Passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings. To reduce crowding, visitors are encouraged to travel outside of peak times of 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (from the ferry terminal to the island), and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the return trip.
Just in time for Canada Day, lifeguards will return to the four Toronto Island Park swimming beaches on July 1. Services and amenities that are open at Toronto Island Park on Canada Day include washrooms, a splash pad, a first aid station, William Meany Maze, some food and beverage outlets and disc golf. Other Toronto Island Park public and commercial amenities, including Centreville, park playgrounds and boat rentals, remain closed under the current Province of Ontario emergency orders.
Fireworks and bonfires
Family fireworks can be discharged on your private property without a permit on Canada Day, but must comply with the City of Toronto fireworks bylaws and the requirements to be aware of surroundings. Residents are asked not to discharge fireworks where they may be a nuisance, pose a risk of fire, injury or damage to any person or property. City of Toronto bylaws prohibit members of the public from setting off or selling fireworks in City parks.
Residents are reminded that bonfires and the consumption of alcohol are not permitted in parks, beaches or public spaces. Enforcement officers will issue tickets related to the consumption of alcohol and bonfires, with fines of up to $300.
Road Closures
Some curb-lane closures, to accommodate new cafés/patios, will be in place on July 1 for the first CaféTO locations throughout the city.
Public transit and other services
TTC service will operate on a Sunday schedule but service will begin early, at approximately 6 a.m. Customers can visit http://www.ttc.ca for more information and help planning their trip.
The following amenities and attractions will be closed on Canada Day:
• St. Lawrence Market
• Toronto Public Library branches. Starting June 29, the Toronto Public Library extended its library services to provide in-branch contactless holds pick-up and computer access in some branches. Visit the Toronto Public Library website for details.
• City administrative services that are continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as City-operated child care centres will be closed on Wednesday, July 1.
• High Park Zoo and Riverdale Farm (closed due to COVID-19)
City of Toronto emergency and 24-hour services will operate on July 1.
Virtual Canada Day celebrations
This year, the City is joining other municipalities across Canada in hosting a national virtual Canada Day. All in-person Canada Day events have been cancelled, based on the recommendations of the Medical Officer of Health to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Canada Day 2020 will feature four livestream segments on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/cultur
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check https://www.toronto.ca/covid-1
Quote:
“Although this Canada Day is unlike any other, I encourage Toronto residents and visitors to celebrate our wonderful country on July 1 by enjoying everything that the city has to offer. For those residents heading outside, I remind them to please follow public health guidelines and practice physical distancing. Happy Canada Day!”
– Mayor John Tory
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CityofT
SOURCE: City of Toronto
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