High Park reopens to public Sunday night

Thestar.com
May 11, 2020
Abhya Adlakha

High Park’s closure to thwart cherry-blossom crowds is over, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced Sunday on Twitter.

The mayor said that, now that parks staff suggest the cherry-blossom bloom is done for the year, the park was starting to reopen to the public at 8 p.m. on Sunday night and would be fully open, subject to physical distancing and other COVID-19 lockdown regulations, on Monday.

“Thank you to everyone who enjoys this park for their patience and understanding -- you have helped us fight COVID-19,” Tory tweeted.

“I thank the members of the public in particular for their co-operation, as well as the local residents for their understanding,” he added in a video.

The park was closed starting on April 30 on the advice of the city’s medical officer of health to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the crowds typically seen during the annual bloom. Every spring, thousands of people visit High Park to take in its sakura (cherry blossom) trees.

As consolation, the city offered virtual cherry-blossom experiences and live virtual tours online.

High Park will remain closed to vehicles for the rest of the lockdown, Tory added.