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The City of
Toronto will offer a wide variety of activities for residents on Monday,
May 19, 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.
The
Victoria Day fireworks at
Ashbridges Bay Park will start at 10 p.m. 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 Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) on the 22A Coxwell, 64
Main and 92 Woodbine South bus 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 onsite to help
ensure a safe and enjoyable event at Ashbridges Bay.
Golf:
Toronto has five municipal golf courses. They 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 will open on Saturday, May 17, 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. Splash pads are not
city-supervised 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 19.
Admission is free. More information is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/ or by calling 311.
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.
More information is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/ or by calling 311.
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://bitly.com/QFFu6S
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 neighborhoods. Ranging from 1.5 to 11 kilometers, the
walks are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features
and cultural and historical attractions. Brochures and maps are
available.
Historic Sites
The City of Toronto Historic Sites celebrate Victoria Day Monday with
fun historical activities for everyone. Details follow.
At Fort York National Historic Site, from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m., 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 the website for special directions
during construction of a new visitor centre:
http://www.toronto.ca/fortyork
Montgomery's Inn at Dundas Street West and Islington
Avenue will host its annual Victoria Day Tea from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission
is $10 plus tax.
Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens - Toronto's own
Downton Abbey - 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 open from noon to 5 p.m. and 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/museum-events
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 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.
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