COVID-19: City of Toronto is Closing All Park Amenities & Playgrounds

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City of Toronto is closing playgrounds and other parks amenities to stop the spread of COVID-19. The city has more than 1,500 parks and 800+ playgrounds.

Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, said that every Torontonian has a part to play in helping bring an end to this pandemic.

The city said that from March 26, signage will be erected across Toronto’s parks amenities to advise of closures, including playgrounds. Where fencing or gates exists, they will be locked. Unfenced playground structures will be signed and taped off. Parks’ green spaces will remain accessible, but all amenities within City parks will be closed.

What will be closed effective immediately:

 
  • City-owned playgrounds
  • Sports fields
  • Basketball and tennis courts
  • Off-leash dog parks
  • Skateboard and BMX parks,
  • Picnic areas,
  • Outdoor exercise equipment and other parks amenities
  • Parking lots attached to its parks system

Specific Actions:

• More than 1,500 parks (Parking lots closed, signage)
• 800+ playgrounds (mostly unfenced, signed to be taped off)
• 300+ soccer and multi-use fields (signed, many are unfenced and will be locked where possible)
• 300+ baseball diamonds (signed)
• Approx. 70 dog off-leash areas (signed, the majority are fenced and where gated, will be locked)
• 150 basketball courts (hoops to be wrapped up and taped)
• 360+ parking lots at 200 locations (roughly half of these are gated and will be locked)
• 14 skate parks (signed, unfenced)
• 5 BMX parks (signed, unfenced)
• 4 Frisbee golf locations (signed, unfenced)
• 50+ park locations with outdoor fitness equipment (signed, to be taped off)
• 600+ tennis and pickleball courts at 185 locations (signed, fenced and locked where gates exist)
• 12 outdoor allotment gardens (signed, mostly unfenced)
• 83 community gardens (signed, mostly unfenced)
• picnic sites (signed)
• park shelters (signed, to be taped off).

 

Dr. de Villa has also asked condominium boards, all Toronto schools and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to close its playgrounds and parks amenities to limit public congregation and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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