City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release: May 14, 2013
City of Toronto's public events and activities on Victoria
Day holiday
The City of Toronto will offer a wide variety of
activities for residents on Monday, May 20, including the annual Victoria Day
fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay. Many family attractions, including two
farms, three historic sites and other facilities described below, will be open.
City recreation centres will be closed on Victoria Day and recreation programs
will not operate that day.
"Toronto has great family activities to do on
Victoria Day Monday at our parks, recreation centres and museums," said
Mayor Rob Ford. "Everyone is invited to come down to Ashbridges Bay for
fireworks and a day at the beach."
The City of Toronto will host Victoria Day fireworks at
Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. on May 20. The show will feature about
2,000 fireworks, with a spectacular finale.
Ashbridges Bay Park is located on Lake Shore Boulevard
East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue and is easily accessible by public transit.
TTC service will be increased between Queen Street East and the Bloor-Danforth
subway on the Coxwell (22A), Main (64) and 92 Woodbine South routes. Members of
the public are strongly urged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles
at home.
City bylaws prohibit members of the public from setting
off or selling fireworks in any City park. Enforcement officers will be on site
to help ensure a safe and enjoyable event at Ashbridges Bay.
Golf: Toronto has five municipal golf courses that are open
daily, including on Victoria Day. More information about the City-run golf
courses is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/golf.
Tennis courts: All public tennis court sites will have
nets up and will be available for use throughout the Victoria Day weekend.
Public sites are free and available to the general public. Tennis players are
asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to half-hour intervals if
others are waiting to use the courts.
Splash pads: Most splash pads open across the city on
Saturday, May 18, with some exceptions. Splash pads adjacent to outdoor pools
and those under construction will open later in the season. Splash pads operate
daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by push-button release. Splash pads are
unsupervised water play areas so caregivers are reminded to supervise their
children. More information, including hours of operation and up-to-date
information on splash pad locations, is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/parks or by
calling 311.
Riverdale Farm: Riverdale Farm is a family attraction
where visitors can see traditional farm animals such as cows, horses and
chickens. While there, visit the farm residence and the Cabbagetown Regent Park
Museum. Riverdale Farm will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 20. Admission
is free.
Far Enough Farm: The little farm on Centre Island is home
to horses, donkeys, cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, peacocks and emus. Located next
to Toronto's Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island, the farm will be open
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
High Park Zoo: Victoria Day is a great time to see the
High Park Zoo's spring babies. The zoo, located on Deer Pen Road, offers
domestic and exotic animals. The zoo will be open to visitors from 7 a.m. to
dusk.
Toronto Island Park: Catch a ferry to Toronto Island Park
for a scenic picnic, hike or bike ride. The interactive Franklin Children's
Garden is another attraction. Ferry schedule and fares:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm
Greenhouses: A wide variety of flowers are in full bloom
at Centennial Park Conservatory (151 Elmcrest Rd.) and
Allan Gardens
Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave.) Both conservatories are open from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Information is available by calling Centennial
Park Conservatory at 416-394-8543 and Allan Gardens Conservatory at
416-392-7288 or visit
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/conservatories/
Discovery Walks: Residents can explore their city on
foot. The Discovery Walks program is a series of 11 self-guided walks linking
ravines, parks and neighbourhoods. Ranging from 1.5 to 11 kilometres, the walks
are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features, cultural and
historical attractions. Brochures and maps are available.
Historic Sites
The City of Toronto Historic Sites celebrate Victoria Day
Monday with fun and interesting
historical activities for everyone.
At
Fort York National Historic Site, there will be
demonstrations of Georgian-era cooking, English country dancing, and kids can
participate in a soldiers' drill. Admission: adults $7.96, children $3.76,
youth $4.87, seniors $3.81(plus tax). Visitors can also join a free walking
tour that explores early British military influences on Toronto's changing
urban landscape. Location: 250 Fort York Blvd. Check website for special
directions during construction of a new visitor centre:
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/fort_york_access.htm.
Montgomery's Inn at Dundas Street West and Islington
Avenue will host its annual Victoria Day Tea. Admission is $10 plus tax.
Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens will take
visitors on a tour of the house through the eyes of the prominent Austin
family, whose struggles and triumphs were closely tied to those of Toronto as
they entered the 20th century. Spadina Museum is located at 285 Spadina Rd.,
next door to Casa Loma. Admission fees: adults $7.96, seniors and youth $5.75,
children six and older $4.87. Admission is free for children five and younger.
For those looking for outings on Saturday and Sunday
during the long weekend, all of the historic sites are open and offer guests an
opportunity to experience Toronto's history in authentic settings. Event
information, locations, hours and prices are available at
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm.
Municipal services
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will operate on its
holiday service schedule on Victoria Day, with most routes starting at 6 a.m.
For holiday service details, call the TTC's customer information line in
advance of the holiday at 416-393-4636 or visit
http://www3.ttc.ca/Routes/General_Information/Service_Details.jsp.
City of Toronto offices will be closed on the Victoria
Day holiday. All City emergency services and 24-hour operations will be
provided during the holiday. Residents can call 311, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week for more information about City services.
The City of Toronto Archives will be closed on Monday,
May 20. More information about the Archives is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/archives.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people.
Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost
of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Media contact: Bob Langmaid, Strategic Communications,
416-392-1165,
blangmai@toronto.ca
