What will spring in Toronto look like?
Last spring was a season like no other for residents across Toronto. It was chaotic and grim. Four days in, on March 23, 2020, Mayor John Tory declared a state of emergency.
From there, grocery store shelves were stripped bare, playgrounds blocked off with caution tape, dog parks and tennis courts chained and locked, patios closed.
High Park was closed during peak cherry blossom season, barring residents from walking through the famous garden. In May, physical distancing circles were painted at Trinity Bellwoods Park.
Now, Toronto is only two days away from entering another spring with COVID-19 in its midst. Will it be any different?
From politicians to gardeners, the Star spoke with experts across the city to find out what the upcoming season will look like for Torontonians:
WILL YOUR PARK BE OPEN?
Toronto has more than 1,500 parks and green spaces — all of which are open and will remain open. The city’s more than 800 playgrounds have been open since July of last year and will close only if the province or Toronto Public Health issue new safety rules.
As for the physical distancing circles at Trinity Bellwoods, city staff told the Star they “remain open to exploring options” that allow residents to practice social distancing.
WILL PUBLIC WASHROOMS
BE OPEN?
Some already are, and seasonal park washrooms will open throughout May when there is no risk of pipes freezing.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS?
The city is still working on a plan for this year’s High Park cherry blossom season. Staff said they will have more information closer to peak bloom in late April to mid-May.
ARE ANY CITY-LED OR CITY-PERMITTED FESTIVALS OR EVENTS TAKING PLACE?
No. All city-led or city-permitted festivals and events are cancelled through Canada Day.
CAN I EAT AT A RESTAURANT?
Last spring, the CaféTO program permitted restaurants to expand their outdoor dining capacities. If Toronto exits the grey zone, this spring may allow for the same.
Council has already approved the return of CaféTO for 2021, and the program will start once outdoor dining is permitted. Restaurant and bar operators will be required to register, with the first registration window closing March 26.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNITY AND ALLOTMENT GARDENS?
Toronto’s 81 community gardens began opening this week on a location-by-location basis. Its 12 allotment gardens opened on Wednesday. Both are allowed in the grey zone.
However, water services will not be available until May when there is no risk of damaging pipes.
BYLAW OFFICERS?
The city told the Star its Municipal Licensing and Standards division “learned a lot throughout the pandemic” and has been training its 200 bylaw officers to better manage enforcement in the parks.
Before COVID-19, the city had 60 staff enforcing the park bylaw. After, that number swelled to 200.
Toronto runs COVID-19 noncompliance hotlines for people to report problems.
WHAT ABOUT SPRING 2022?
With vaccines rolling out over the coming months, spring 2022 is looking a little less dreadful than the last.
Coun. Joe Cressy hopes by next spring the city will be pandemic-free, but that the initiatives put in place to help hardhit neighbourhoods will stay.
“Not only am I looking forward to the pandemic being behind us, but I’m looking forward to many of these innovations we’ve piloted through the pandemic becoming permanent,” he said.