The City of Toronto encourages residents to enjoy Family Day on Monday, February 17 by visiting select City recreation facilities, historic museums, conservatories and the Toronto Zoo.
City administrative offices and service counters will be closed on Monday, but the City’s emergency services and 24-hour-a-day operations such as 311 Toronto will operate as usual on the February 17 holiday.
Parks and recreation
Family Day programs will be available throughout the city. Residents can enjoy the day with free outdoor and indoor activities including skating, swimming, cooking, drumming, dancing, crafts, board games and family fitness classes.
Skating
There are 54 outdoor rinks or skating trails to choose from across the city, weather permitting. Many indoor arenas will also be open on Family Day. There is no charge for public skating at the City’s indoor arenas and outdoor rinks. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under the age of six and are recommended for skaters of all ages. http://www.toronto.ca/skate
Nathan Phillips Square skating party
Everyone is invited to visit Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday and take part in a fun-filled outing sponsored by Tim Hortons, which will feature informal skating instruction and hot beverages. Skate rentals are available. Details: http://www.toronto.ca/familyday
Skiing and snowboarding
Earl Bales and Centennial Park ski and snowboard centres will be open on Family Day, weather permitting. Updates and schedules are available at http://www.toronto.ca/ski.
Tobogganing
When there is snow on the ground, why not get out and try tobogganing in your neighbourhood. A map of toboggan hill locations and safety tips is available at https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/skating-winter-sports/tobogganing/.
Ravines
Ravines provide many important ecological services and recreational opportunities. You can experience the beauty that runs through Toronto by taking a winter walk on one of the City’s many multi-use trails. A list of featured trails and natural areas is available at https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/walking-hiking/trails/.
Swimming
Leisure swimming will be available at many indoor pools on Family Day. City-run leisure swims are free of charge.
Recreation programs
Many recreation facilities will offer free programming for the whole family on Family Day. Children accompanied by an adult can enjoy swimming, indoor/outdoor skating, yoga, Zumba, gymnastics, sports, arts and crafts and more.
Riverdale Farm
The City’s farm at 201 Winchester St., open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., features farm animals and offers various activities. Admission is free.
High Park Zoo
Toronto’s oldest animal attraction has been entertaining people for 120 years. The attraction, which houses domestic and exotic animals such as bison, llamas and reindeer, as well as the famous capybaras, Bonnie and Clyde, is located on Deer Pen Road and is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. Admission is free.
Conservatories and greenhouses
Residents and visitors can warm up and take in the sights and scents at Toronto’s conservatories. Both the Allan Gardens and Centennial Park conservatories will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Family Day. Admission is free and the conservatories are wheelchair-accessible.
Recreation centres
Some community recreation centres will be closed on Family Day. Residents can find the list of open centres online at http://www.toronto.ca/familyday or call their local centre ahead of time to check its schedule.
Family Day at Fort York
Families looking for a fun-filled, free outing on Family Day are invited to visit Fort York National Historic Site. It will offer hands-on activities, pop-up performances and exhibitions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Visitors will be welcomed by staff from various history museums, who will be stationed in the Blue Barracks Hall. In addition, skating will be available nearby from noon to 9 p.m. at the Bentway skate trail.
Family Day at Scarborough Museum
Visitors at Scarborough Museum, open from noon to 5 p.m. on February 17 with free admission, will be treated to a variety of activities and foods as part of the Toronto history museums’ Welcome to Winter programming. Scarborough Museum is one of 10 Toronto history museums that explore where Toronto’s many pasts, presents and futures meet.
Children must be accompanied by an adult for all activities. All the museum details and schedules for Family Day are available at http://www.toronto.ca/familyday or by calling 311.
Toronto Zoo
Throughout the Family Day long weekend, the Toronto Zoo will offer daily animal-keeper talks, carnivore feedings and exhibits (including Tundra Trek, featuring polar bears and arctic wolves). In the greenhouse, visitors will experience Orchid Oasis. The Toronto Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including Monday, February 17. In addition, the Terra Lumina night walk is available to book from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Family Day. http://www.torontozoo.com
Major civic buildings
Toronto’s major civic buildings, including City Hall, Metro Hall and the civic centres, will operate on a weekend schedule (from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for basic access on Family Day. City administrative offices and service counters will not be operating that day. City-operated child care centres and Children’s Services district offices will be closed on Family Day. Toronto Home Child Care Agency providers will offer their services as usual.
Other services and municipal facilities
The TTC will operate on its Holiday service schedule on Family Day. More TTC information is available at http://ttc.ca/Routes/index.jsp.
All Toronto Public Library branches will be closed on Family Day. The library’s digital collection is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://www.tpl.ca/downloads. A list of programs and events for families is available at https://kids.tpl.ca/programs.
Archival Services at 255 Spadina Rd. will be closed on Family Day, as will the St. Lawrence Market (it’s routinely closed Mondays).
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/CityofToronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.