Toronto Is Closing Roads Accessing Trails & Attractions As The Weather Improves

You know how the old saying goes: As a park opens, a road closes. OK, so maybe this isn't a real saying. But with the weather looking promising and Victoria Day weekend looming, Toronto road closures are attempting to ensure people do not flock together in large crowds.

While the 6ix is getting ready to open dog parks, it seems the city is doing its best to deter large groups by limiting access.

A news release on Thursday, May 14 states that from this Saturday at 6 a.m. to Monday, May 18 at 11 p.m, over 20 Toronto streets will be closed off.

This will focus on major roads that lead to trails in order to avoid large gatherings and ensure social distancing. 

"Starting this weekend, we will be closing two major roads near popular recreation trails and areas," said Mayor John Tory on Thursday afternoon.

The first set of closures involve eastbound Lake Shore Boulevard West from Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road, Bayview Avenue from Mill Street to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue.

These routes all pass significant public sites. For example, the affected stretch of Bayview passes by Corktown Common, Riverdale Park, and Wellesley Park.

Tory added that Transportation services and Toronto Public Health have recommended closing a total of 10 km of major roads "adjacent to major trails or recreational attractions."

This is part of the city's ActiveTO program, which is launching "Quiet Streets" ahead of the long weekend. 

"Quiet Streets" will see 57 km of roads converted in order to ensure people are able to be physically active within a safe distance of one another.

Signs and temporary barricades will be used at specific intersections to make sure local cars have access while also sharing the space for people to stretch their legs and go on walks, runs and bike rides.

As the weather is expected to get summer-like heat and humidity next week, the city is taking extra precautions.

Although the city parks might be open, you are still required to maintain two metres distance between one another, something which Toronto bylaw officers have enforced at the city's busiest parks and beaches.

Similar closures were made around High Park for the cherry blossom season as fencing, barricades, and police surrounded the park to make sure no one trespassed. They were nearly entirely successful in that mission, too, save for some pesky intruders.

For what it's worth, while the city is anticipating things might get a lot busier amid the holiday, it's actually supposed to be a horribly rainy Victoria Day.