City of Toronto turning on the taps ahead of schedule in parks across the city

Seasonal washrooms in parks across the city are opening ahead of schedule! Drinking water fountains and bottle-filling stations connected to these buildings are also being opened, with remaining drinking water sources – like standalone water fountains, bottle-filling stations and dog bowls – expected to be ready over the next four weeks.

As of today, 80 per cent of park washrooms are opened, earlier than expected, thanks to the efforts of City of Toronto staff and the warmer than usual temperatures in April. The remaining park washrooms will be opened by Friday, May 3.

The City budgets more than $180 million annually for all maintenance, staffing and operation of the more than 1,500 City parks which includes the opening and maintenance of seasonal park washrooms.

Work to open seasonal park washrooms and the attached water fountains began on Monday, April 15. Each spring, it takes crews up to three weeks with overnight and daytime temperatures above zero degrees to bring seasonal washrooms online. Once there is confidence that the weather will be consistently above freezing, crews get to work opening each washroom in a coordinated and sequenced order:

• Step 1 – Water activation: Technical staff go to each site and activate the water sources to facilities, connect individual fixtures (such as toilets, urinals, and faucets) and perform maintenance.
• Step 2 – Cleaning and stocking: Cleaning teams attend washrooms where water is activated/connected (usually the next day based on scheduling) and complete a deep clean that includes stocking the washroom with soap, toilet paper and paper towels.
• Step 3 – Open to the public: Clean and safe washrooms open to the public. From time to time, upon opening seasonal park washrooms, City staff find that more significant repairs are needed. In these cases, signs will be posted indicating the washroom is temporarily closed for maintenance.

Along with seasonal washrooms, City crews are working to open remaining water facilities in parks including splash and spray pads, outdoor pools and wading pools, ornamental fountains, community and allotment gardens, and irrigation systems. Many of the same crews and staff that open washrooms and water fountains are also responsible for activating these amenities. These activities typically take place throughout May and are completed by mid- to late-June.

Key opening dates

• May 3: Complete opening of most seasonal park washrooms and attached water fountains and bottle stations.
• May 17: Splash and spray pads open for the season (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
• May 24: All remaining standalone water fountains and bottle filling stations in City parks open unless more extensive repairs are required. All fountains are tested to ensure the water is safe to drink when they are activated.
• June 1: Lifeguard supervision of swimming at beaches begins (10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.).
• June 15: 10 outdoor pools open on an evening and weekend partial schedule.
• June 22: All remaining outdoor pools open on an evening and weekend partial schedule.
• June 28: All outdoor pools and wading pools open on full schedule.

Learn more about the daily status of washrooms, drinking fountains, bottle fillers and dog fountains on the City’s Park Washrooms webpage.

Quotes:

“Access to facilities such as washrooms, water fountains and other park amenities is critical to ensuring that Toronto’s residents and visitors can maximize their time spent enjoying our parks and outdoor spaces. Opening them sooner is just one of the many ways the City of Toronto is getting back on track.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“I want to thank City staff who have been working hard to ensure that our public washrooms and other park amenities are ready to open this spring. Access to these facilities helps Toronto’s residents and visitors maximize their time enjoying our parks and outdoor spaces.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough–Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee

Toronto is home to more than three 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 climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.