This Labour Day long weekend, as Toronto wraps up the summer and children get ready to go back to school next week, the City of Toronto is encouraging residents to safely enjoy the city through a number of programs and services. The work to get more residents vaccinated is also continuing this long weekend.
Here are some of the many City programs and services available to residents throughout the Labour Day long weekend:
Vaccine clinics
On Saturday, all City-operated immunization clinics will be open for first and second doses. No appointment is necessary. Getting both doses of COVID-19 vaccine is the best defense against the virus, including the Delta variant. Clinics will be closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information, see here or text “VACCINE” to 1-833-750-0888.
CaféTO
Patio patrons can enjoy any of the nearly 1,200 on-street or sidewalk patios across the city as part of CaféTO. The program also supports many expanded dining spaces on private property, such as in plaza parking lots around Toronto.
Residents can find a patio near them by visiting Destination Toronto’s popular website.
ActiveTO
Residents can get outside and enjoy ActiveTO routes this Saturday and Sunday. ActiveTO routes scheduled for Labour Day weekend from Saturday, September 4 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, September 5 at 9 p.m. are:
Roads within High Park will be closed to vehicles from Friday at approximately 11 p.m. until Monday at approximately 7 a.m. More information is available here.
Community centres
Toronto residents can also take advantage of many recreational activities during the coming Labour Day long weekend. Recreation centres, including indoor pools and indoor washrooms are open to on Saturday and Sunday, but will be closed on Monday, September 6.
Beach safety
Toronto’s designated swimming beaches are open to the public for swimming. Lifeguards are on duty and supervising designated swim areas from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Monday, September 6, when lifeguard supervision will end for the summer season. Residents should never swim without lifeguard supervision, and should only swim within the designated swim zones, marked at each end by red and yellow flags. Children should stay within arm’s reach of caregivers, and swimmers should use the buddy system. More information about swimming in the city and beach safety is available on the Beach Safety webpage.
Toronto Island Park public ferry and beaches
The Toronto Island ferry will be operating on the Saturday, Sunday and Holiday schedule. Visitors should purchase tickets online in advance .
COVID-19 guidelines and procedures are in place to protect passengers and staff. Passengers are required to wear masks or face coverings. To reduce crowding, visitors are encouraged to travel outside of peak hours.
Services and amenities that are open at Toronto Island Park this Labour Day weekend include washrooms, park playgrounds, a splash pad, a first aid station, William Meany Maze, food and beverage outlets and disc golf.
Picnic and fire pit permitting
Permits for picnics and fire pits can be issued for a maximum of 25 people. Permit booking is available on the City’s website.
City pools, wading pools and splash pads
Torontonians can enjoy the last days of summer at more than 300 aquatic amenities including 93 wading pools, 59 outdoor swimming pools and 36 indoor pools that will be open this Saturday and Sunday. The City’s 140 splash pads will remain open all weekend, including Labour Day. Check your favourite location for hours of operation.
Additionally, the following nine outdoor swimming pools will be open on Labour Day through to Sunday, September 19:
Other City outdoor swimming pools and the City’s wading pools will close for the summer season on Sunday, September 5 at 4 p.m. All indoor swimming pools will be closed on Labour Day. Splash pads will operate on Labour Day and will remain open.
Find your nearest pool location, the hours of operation and make a reservation .
Parking and lots closures
Parking enforcement officers will be strategically deployed at waterfront parks and beach areas across the city, including Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay. Officers will be enforcing all parking bylaws on local roadways and towing vehicles that are creating safety and traffic flow concerns. Parking lots at Marie Curtis, Humber Bay East, Humber Bay West, Bluffer’s Park and Beach, and Cherry Beach will be closed nightly at 7 p.m. and will reopen in the morning.
Animal attractions
Riverdale Farm and High Park Zoo are both open to visitors. Outdoor exhibit capacity limits are reduced at both locations. More information is available online.
Golf
All five City-run golf courses will be open on Labour Day. Fling golf is also available at the Dentonia, Humber, Scarlett Woods and Tam O’Shanter golf courses. More information about golf hours and locations is available online
Tennis
Many of Toronto’s municipal tennis courts will offer public hours this weekend, varying by location. There is no fee to play during public hours. Tennis players are asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to 30-minute intervals if others are waiting to use the courts. Details about tennis court locations and scheduled public hours are available online.
Conservatories
You can check out the flowers at Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory. Both conservatories will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Labour Day and admission is free. A cloth mask or face covering and physical distancing is required. Only 25 visitors will be allowed inside every 30 minutes. More information is available online .
Air show
The Canadian International Air Show, Canada’s largest and longest-running airshow located in the heart of downtown Toronto, is taking place over Labour Day weekend. This year the show will take place on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5 from noon to 3 p.m. daily. More information is online.
Bylaw enforcement
Toronto Police and City bylaw officers will continue to monitor busy parks and beaches over the long weekend to ensure residents are respecting City bylaws and provincial regulations. This will include patrols of key beaches by Toronto Police’s mounted unit and from the water by the marine unit.
Residents are reminded that amplified sound such as DJ equipment, littering and bonfires (outside of City-designated firepits, which require a permit) in parks, and on beaches are not permitted.
Fireworks in City parks and on beaches are also prohibited; it is extremely unsafe and could result in fines. Residents require a permit to set off fireworks on their own private property. To learn more, please see here.
Quote:
“I encourage all residents to enjoy this last weekend of the summer in a safe manner by following public health measures. If you haven’t received your COVID-19 vaccine yet, or need to get your second dose, please do it this weekend. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities. This summer we have made tremendous progress in getting residents vaccinated and we want that progress to continue into September.”
– Mayor John Tory
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.