City of Toronto offers many free and affordable activities
during March Break

During March Break, March 14 to 18, the City of Toronto will offer free and low-cost activities at its community centres, parks and historic sites. Highlights of Parks, Forestry and Recreation division activities and attractions follow, in addition to information about Toronto's historic sites/museums.

Camps
March Break camps are a great opportunity for children and youth to enjoy a range of activities. Participants enjoy activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama, sports and games. More camp details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/camps  or by calling 311.

Drop-in programs
City of Toronto community centres offer various free or low-cost programs for all ages. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks  and by calling 311

Skiing and snowboarding
The City's Centennial Park and Earl Bales ski and snowboard centres will be open, weather permitting, for March Break on the following schedule:

Centennial Park Ski and Snowboard Centre
March 14 to 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre
March 14 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
March 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Both centres will close for the season on March 21.

The use of helmets is mandatory when participating in programs and lessons at both centres and the use of a recognized ski or snowboard helmet is strongly recommended for all other participants while on the slopes. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/ski

Skating
Thirty-seven outdoor artificial ice rinks are open until the end of the day on March 20, weather permitting. Locations, hours and program details are available at http://www1.toronto.ca/parks/prd/skating/dropin/marchbreak/index.htm

Indoor leisure skating programs, including caregiver and tot, family skate and shinny, are free for all ages. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under six years of age and all shinny hockey participants, and are recommended for skaters of all ages. Schedules and locations are available at http://www.toronto.ca/skate

Swimming
City of Toronto pools offer free March Break swimming opportunities. More information is available at http://www1.toronto.ca/parks/prd/swimming/dropin/marchbreak/index.htm


Attractions

Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester St.)
Visitors can tour Riverdale Farm's scenic grounds to see domestic farm animals such as pigs, horses and sheep. The farm's Meeting House will offer crafts and games and farming demonstrations will be provided throughout the day. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is accessible to all. Admission is free. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks

High Park Zoo (on Deer Pen Road)
Established 120 years ago, the High Park Zoo is home to domestic and exotic animals, including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle and yaks. Admission to the zoo is free and it's open daily from dawn to dusk. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/

Toronto Island Park
Just minutes away from downtown by ferry, Toronto Island Park offers March break fun for everyone. It's a great place to walk, roll, cycle, explore and enjoy the city skyline. A list of ferry fees and the schedule are available at http://www.toronto.ca/ferry

Playground Paradise (Flemingdon Park Community Centre, 150 Grenoble Dr.)
Playground Paradise offers fun for children aged 12 and under. Kids can play on a two-storey play structure, go down the spiral slide, swing on the track ride, and play in the ball pit. A fee of $2.50 per child applies. More information is available by calling 416-395-6014. Schedule during March break:
• March 14, 16 and 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• March 15 and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon

Conservatories
The spring flower shows are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory, 151 Elmcrest Rd. and Allan Gardens Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave. Both shows feature various spring flowering plants, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The Easter displays, featuring lilies and hydrangeas, will open at both conservatories on March 20. The conservatories are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily 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.

Historic Sites
Many of the City's 10 historic sites are open during March Break for tours. The sites highlighted below will also offer drop-in family activities including crafts, games and tasty treats from historic kitchens. Regular admission fees apply. Times and activity details vary by location. More information about drop-in activities is available at http://www.toronto.ca/museum-events

Museum drop-in activity times by location:

Colborne Lodge (Colborne Lodge Dr. in High Park)
March 12 to 20 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.)
March 14 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gibson House Museum (5172 Yonge Street)
March 12 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 16 to 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.)
March 12 to 20 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.)
Weekends only from 12 to 4 p.m.

Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.)
March 12 to 20 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.)
March 12 to 20 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Four of the historic sites are also offering day camps. More information on those camps is available at http://www.toronto.ca/ camps.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://ow.ly/Zaq9x 

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. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca