The City of Toronto continues to safely and gradually open services and amenities. As residents head outside this weekend, they’re reminded of the importance of adhering to Toronto Public Health’s advice to wash their hands often, stay within their social circle of no more than 10 people, practise physical distancing, or wear a face covering or non-medical mask to protect others when in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Below is a guide to which City services and amenities are open and which remain closed this weekend:
ActiveTO major road closures, Quiet Streets & Cycling Network
The following ActiveTO Major Road closures that will be in place this weekend, from Saturday, June 20 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, June 21 at 11 p.m. include:
Residents planning to use Major Road Closures should access them by bike or as a pedestrian as nearby parking is limited and there is no site parking available.
Approximately 65 kilometres of Quiet Streets are now available to local residents throughout the city in time for this weekend. Quiet Streets are shared neighbourhood streets for walking, running, biking and slow moving local traffic only.
New this week, work on installation of a temporary bike lane started on University Avenue/Queen’s Park Crescent, between Adelaide Street West and Bloor Street West. Design and installation planning are well underway for routes along Bloor Street, between Avenue Road and Sherbourne Street, and Bayview Avenue between River Street and Rosedale Valley Road.
Installation of approved permanent cycling routes is happening simultaneously. A current example includes separated bike lanes along Douro Street/Wellington Street, was finalized this week.
An online map is available to residents with locations that have been installed as part of CurbTO for businesses (pickup zones and pedestrian zones) and installed ActiveTO locations for residents. Residents can view the map at toronto.ca/activeTO.
St. Lawrence Market
The outdoor season of the Saturday Farmers Market continues this weekend. Outdoor farmers will be located on Market Street between The Esplanade and Wilton Street. Other farmers will continue to operate inside the temporary market at 125 The Esplanade. Lineup areas for the indoor and outdoor farmers will continue to start on Market Street for entrance to both areas.
The South Market (main Market building) also continues to operate with revised hours of operation from Tuesdays to Saturdays. South Market entrances are limited to manage customer traffic. Customers can access the South Market from the Front Street East main automatic doors or the Market Street north entrance.\
On Saturdays, the Market currently sees the highest number of customers. Peak times at the Farmers Market are from early to mid-morning and from mid-morning to mid-afternoon at the South Market. Wellness screenings are conducted at all Market entrances. Customers are strongly encouraged to wear a non-medical mask or face covering while shopping at the Market.
City parks and amenities
City park amenities open this weekend include:
If a resident arrives at a park that is crowded, they are advised to visit a different park or return at a later time when there are fewer people.
Park amenities that remain closed include playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, swimming pools, fixed barbecues, wading pools and splash pads. Greenhouses, nurseries and conservatories, High Park Zoo, Riverdale Farm also remain closed. The City is working with market organizers to safely reopen farmers’ markets usually located on 22 City sites.
Permits for soccer, multi-use fields and baseball diamonds continue to be cancelled. Individuals are not permitted to play team sports, such as soccer, basketball or baseball, even on fields or courts intended for this purpose unless they are members of the same household.
There is no public ferry access to Toronto Island Park. The ferry will continue running for Island residents only.
City beaches
Toronto beaches remain open. Beaches are not closed under Province of Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Toronto beaches are open, there are no lifeguards on duty. Swimming without a lifeguard is not recommended.
As part of the SwimTO plan, lifeguards will return to six of Toronto’s swimming beaches on Monday, June 22. Lifeguards will supervise each location daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Public washroom facilities
Park washrooms will be open to the public this weekend. Staff have worked with Toronto Public Health on guidelines for the safe opening of washrooms and other amenities. In addition, the City has opened a number of facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for all individuals in need of these services. 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 should wash hands or use hand sanitizer. It is also recommended that cloth face coverings are worn, especially when physical distancing is difficult.
Park parking lots
Most Toronto Parks’ parking lots in City parks are open this weekend. Two lots will remain closed: Sir Casimir Gzowski and Sunnyside. The parking lot at High Park continues to be closed on weekends.
The City’s website is updated daily with the latest health advice and information about City services, social supports and economic recovery measures. Check toronto.ca/covid-19/ for answers to common questions before contacting the Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Hotline or 311.
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