City of Toronto's family activities for Easter weekend

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  April 1, 2015  

       

City of Toronto's family activities for Easter weekend

The City of Toronto will offer many fun activities at its recreational facilities and attractions, as well as at City historic sites, during the coming Easter weekend.

Recreation programs, services and permits Regularly scheduled recreation programs and permits at all parks and recreation facilities are cancelled on Friday, April 3 (Good Friday) and Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday), with the exception of scheduled tournament or league play at indoor arenas. Programs and services will operate as usual on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5.

Residents can contact their local community centre or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks for more information about individual facilities.

The following City attractions will be open with activities each day of the Easter long weekend, April 3 to 6.

Riverdale Farm: Riverdale Farm features a variety of farm animals, including some new arrivals: Cotswald lambs, a Nubian kid goat, and 10-week-old Tamworth pigs. Visitors can stroll the grounds, visit the barns and paddocks, and meet the farmer at 11:30 a.m. for a farming demonstration on the lower level of the Francey Barn. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. More information: http://bit.ly/1FDujmN

Toronto Islands: The Toronto Islands are just minutes away from the downtown core by ferry. The islands are a great place to walk, roll, cycle, explore and enjoy views of the city skyline, offering fun for the whole family. Franklin Children's Garden is open daily: http://bit.ly/1AP32H7. More information: www.toronto.ca/parks/island

High Park Zoo (on Deer Pen Road): The High Park Zoo is home to domestic and exotic animals, including spring babies. Visitors can hand-feed the llamas on weekends from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (April to October). The animal attraction is open daily, year-round from 7 a.m. to dusk. More information: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo  

Easter flower shows: Easter flower shows are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory. Both shows feature Easter lilies and numerous varieties of hydrangea, and will be available until April 26. The two conservatories are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. More information is available by calling Centennial Park Conservatory at 416-394-8543 and Allan Gardens Conservatory at 416-392-7288.

Easter weekend at Toronto's Historic Sites The City's historic sites will offer events, activities and tours during most of the Easter long weekend – but will be closed on Friday, April 3. Program highlights for selected locations are listed below. Times, admission fees and participant details for activities will vary by location. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/museum-events. Easter weekend highlights follow.

Colborne Lodge (High Park, Colborne Lodge Drive): Families can take Easter-themed tours and engage in egg-dyeing activities on April 4 and 5.

Gibson House Museum (5172 Yonge St.): In addition to taking the regular tours of Gibson House, visitors are invited to relax in the historic kitchen on Sunday afternoon (April 5) from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with tea and homemade cookies served.

Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.): Fort York will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Easter Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can enjoy Everything Easter @ Fort York, a day of fun and games, including an Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts, meeting the Easter Bunny, and egg races. This charitable event supports Ronald McDonald House and the George Brown College Foundation. Details: www.everythingeasterto.com

Guests of all ages can take a guided Fort York tour through original War of 1812 buildings. The new Visitor Centre presents the art exhibition Gertrude Kearns: The Art of Command, Portraits and Posters from Canada's Afghan Mission.

Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.): Families visiting Mackenzie House this weekend can print a seed packet on the vintage printing press and take some seeds home for spring planting.

St. Lawrence Market and the Market Gallery (95 Front St. E.): Families can visit the South St. Lawrence Market's west mezzanine kitchen on Saturday, April 4 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to decorate cupcakes. The Market Gallery at the same location will offer an arts and crafts activity on Saturday.

Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W.): In addition to offering its regular tours, Montgomery's Inn will host Easter Tea Time on Sunday, April 5 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring chocolate bunny cookies and other fancy treats.

Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.): Families looking for fresh air and exploration can engage in a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including a scavenger hunt, between noon and 5 p.m. on April 4 and 5.

McCowan Log House in Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.): Visitors can take part in a reading circle on Saturday, April 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. to share favourite children's books and stories.

Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens (285 Spadina Rd.): Open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Easter Monday, Spadina Museum welcomes adults and children to the six-acre estate overlooking the city. Inside the restored house, visitors can see how it looked in the 1920s and '30s, and can take a Meet the Austins tour at 12:15, 1, 1:45, 3:15 or 4 p.m. The Austins were a prominent family whose struggles and triumphs were closely tied to those of Toronto in the early 20th century.

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.): On Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m., families can enjoy an outdoor tour of the beautiful Todmorden Mills property. On the walk, participants will hear the stories of Todmorden and the Don Valley – from the locations' use by First Nations inhabitants many years ago to the establishment of Todmorden Mills as a heritage site in 1967.

City of Toronto administrative offices and service counters will be closed on the April 3 and 6 holidays.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1DtRIW3

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contacts:

Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, pfrmedialine@toronto.ca Shane Gerard, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca