The City of Toronto will expand ActiveTO this Saturday to Allen Road to provide more space for people to get safely outside and get exercise.
This weekend’s ActiveTO routes will also include Lake Shore Boulevard East (roads within High Park and the ActiveTO Bayview on-street, multi-use trail). More than 1,500 parks are open for fresh air and physical activity across Toronto every day.
High temperatures are expected this weekend and residents planning to use ActiveTO routes are reminded to bring water in re-useable water bottles to stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothing.
This weekend’s ActiveTO locations include:
The only way to enter and exit the Allen Road ActiveTO route is via the northbound off-ramp at Lawrence Avenue. Due to on-going construction, there will be no access from Eglinton Avenue West onto Allen Road. For those planning to use the route, please access it by bike, as a pedestrian or by using public transit (Lawrence Avenue subway is steps from the ramp). Similar to all ActiveTO weekend routes, there is limited nearby parking and no on-site parking available. In addition, Bike Share valet stations will be available within the Allen Road footprint.
This will be the first time Allen Road has been included as part of ActiveTO and, appropriately, it comes on the fiftieth anniversary weekend of the cancelled Spadina Expressway. The expressway was planned, and partially built, as a throughway to move vehicles faster from the north part of the city to the downtown. The partially built portion is now known as Allen Road.
City staff will actively monitor traffic congestion around Allen Road and Lake Shore Boulevard East, and adjust signal timing as required. Those driving are reminded to plan their trips in advance to avoid the closures and should consider using a wayfinding app to get information on detours and travel times.
The City continues planning to expand ActiveTO weekend closures along Black Creek Drive and roads within the Exhibition Place. Details will be announced as soon as they are available.
While more people are getting vaccinated, residents continue to be encouraged to stay close to home and explore the many paths, ravines and hydro corridors with trails across Toronto.
June is Bike Month. It’s an annual celebration of cycling in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area featuring a variety of virtual events from May 31 to June 30. Residents can log their cycling trips and play Bike Month Bingo for a chance to win prizes. More information is available at: https://bikemonth.ca/toronto.
Bike Share Toronto stations are available along ActiveTO routes. Download the PBSC app to get started at https://bikesharetoronto.com/app/.
Learn more about ActiveTO, including information about the new ActiveTO Bayview Cycling Corridor at www.toronto.ca/ActiveTO.
Maps and details for available paths and trails are available at www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/walking-hiking/.
Details about access to High Park are available at www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/high-park/high-park-vehicle-free-weekends/.
Quotes:
“We are delivering on a commitment to keep ActiveTO flexible and expand it this year for everyone to experience. Opening the northbound lanes on Allen Road for physical activity is an opportunity to bring the successful program to residents in a different part of our city and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the cancelling of the Spadina Expressway. I encourage people to use this new ActiveTO space to get outside and be active.”
– Mayor John Tory
“ActiveTO is about getting outside to be physically active and to use public spaces to enjoy the outdoors. A new road closure location will be introduced this weekend, and parks and trail systems will continue to provide space for exercise every day.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rough Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
“The stopping of the Spadina Expressway was probably the most important decision made in the 20th century in shaping the future of the city of Toronto. By stopping the expressway, we not only said no to American-style expressways, but also saved Toronto’s ravines from becoming expressways.”
– Councillor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence)
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