The City’s cherry blossom trees are in bloom and once again Torontonians can take in their beauty from the comfort of their own homes. To encourage everyone to stay home and stay safe, the City will offer #BloomAtHome, a 24-hour 4K BloomCam livestream during the peak bloom period.
The BloomCam can be viewed at www.toronto.ca/cherryblossoms. In keeping with the provincial Stay-at-Home order in effect across Toronto and to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the City has implemented measures to prevent crowding and gathering in High Park by closing public access to the cherry blossom groves.
High Park will remain open to ensure local pedestrians and cyclists can access the park for essential fresh air and exercise. To ensure people have ample space to practise physical distancing, the park will be closed to vehicle traffic for the duration of the bloom, including weekdays. The allotment gardens in High Park remain open to permit holders. Cherry blossom trees at Cherry Hill, near the sports fields and at the Jamie Bell Playground are enclosed with fencing to deter crowding and prevent in-person viewing of the trees.
The cherry blossom trees at Trinity Bellwoods Park have also been enclosed with fencing, with enforcement patrols occurring during bloom period. A coordinated team of enforcement officers and members of the Toronto Police Service will be stationed in High Park to prevent vehicle access and deter people from crowding near the fencing. If required, City enforcement officials and Toronto Police Services may patrol other smaller sites of cherry blossoms in Toronto, though these sites do not draw the size of crowds that typically visit High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park.
The City would like to thank its virtual experience partners, the Toronto Public Library Bookmobile and Rogers, for powering the internet connectivity needed to bring this year’s High Park cherry blossom bloom into viewers’ homes.
More information about cherry blossoms can be found at www.toronto.ca/cherryblossoms.
Toronto, like all Ontario municipalities, is in the Shutdown Zone of the Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework and subject to a provincial Stay-at-Home order. When seeking essential exercise at their local park, people are required to maintain a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from people they do not reside with. Masks are encouraged outdoors in situations where physical distancing is difficult and are mandatory while using washroom facilities and while waiting in line.
There are more than 1,500 parks in Toronto, and in order to avoid crowding, residents are encouraged to visit their local parks rather than travelling to destination parks. Everyone should stay home, with the exception of essential outings such as grocery shopping, picking up medications and getting fresh air or exercise. The City’s COVID-19: Guide for Residents provides information on what is and is not permitted under provincial regulations and City bylaws at www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/c
Quotes:
“I encourage all Toronto residents to enjoy the High Park cherry blossoms from home by watching #BloomAtHome on the BloomCam.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Toronto’s Sakura (cherry blossom) trees are well-loved harbingers of spring. Let’s all do our part to protect each other and our healthcare system. I’m looking forward to enjoying #BloomAtHome this year.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“Taking in the #BloomAtHome is the safest way for Torontonians to enjoy the bloom. There are many opportunities across Toronto for people to access fresh air and essential exercise and I encourage people to stay close to home.”
– Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park)
SOURCE City of Toronto
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