WEEKEND PLANNER
Step out and enjoy the Hamilton area as we start Stage 2 of reopening this Father’s Day weekend. Not only are we open, but it’s the first weekend of summer. You can expect hot and sunny with a chance of rain.
The weekend weather report is calling for summer sun with a slight chance of showers. It will be hot and humid Saturday with a daytime high of 30, feeling like 36 (except near Lake Ontario where it will be much cooler). On Sunday, you can expect a 40 per cent chance of thundershowers with a high of 31.
Don’t expect the traditional roar of aircraft overhead this Father’s Day weekend as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum remains closed until June 26. We will have to do without Flyfest to rough up the skies. But splash pads are open, long-term-care homes are taking in-person visits from those who qualify, and the RBG has iris and peonies for all to enjoy.
Here are some things you can do and a summary of what’s open in the Hamilton area now that we are officially in Stage 2 of reopening. Keep in mind, Ontario remains in a state of emergency until June 30.
WALKING TOUR
Take a lively, informative walking tour of downtown Hamilton this Sunday. Join Bill King at the Sir John A. Macdonald statue at King and John streets at 10 a.m. This week’s topic; Housing the Rich. Wear a mask. Social distancing and other pandemic regulations will be followed.
IRIS AND PEONIES
The colour is brilliant. Take dad for a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens Laking Garden this weekend. The iris and peony collections are in bloom and it is something all Hamiltonians should see. Planted in 1947, the iris collection was RBG’s first herbaceous collection of importance with the main focus on tall bearded iris. RBG’s Laking Garden is located at 1260 Spring Gardens Rd. in Burlington. Regular admission applies. Royal Botanical Gardens outdoor garden areas are open to the public. rbg.ca
WHAT’S OPEN
Patios, beaches, spray pads, parks and more are open with some restrictions for social distancing. Here are a few quick hits on what’s open in the Hamilton area.
> Hamilton’s Farmers Market and the escarpment stairs are open.
> Tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, BMX parks, skate parks, cycling tracks and bike trails, baseball diamonds and soccer fields are open. Hamilton sports fields can be used for passive use by families and small groups of 10 people or less who are physical distancing. Outdoor team sports may resume for training purposes only, with no scrimmages or games. More details on booking Hamilton city fields for training purposes are yet to be announced.
> At the Bruce Trail, most of the trails are open. Closed areas include most waterfalls, high-traffic tourism destinations and some private properties. Some trails are closed. You can find a full list at brucetrail.org.
> Hamilton Conservation Authority trails are open, including; Christie Lake, Dundas Valley, Eramosa Karst, Fifty Point, Fletcher Creek, Valens Lake and Westfield Heritage Village. Rail trails through the Dundas Valley and in other parts of Flamborough are open.
> Hamilton’s many trails are open, some of which include; Hamilton Waterfront Trail, The Breezeway Trail, Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail, Bayfront Park Trail, Cootes Drive Trail, Chedoke Radial Recreational Trail, Escarpment Rail Trail, Desjardins Recreational Trail, The Park Corridor along the LINC, Binbrook Tyneside trail and more.
> Golf courses, dog parks and marinas are open.
> Malls, including Lime Ridge and Mapleview, are open.
> Places of worship can use up to 30 per cent of their capacity for religious services.
> Stoney Creek’s Starlite Drive-in is open with three screens running. Concessions are closed. Bring your own popcorn.