Enjoy more space for safer adventures around the city.
Getting active outdoors while maintaining physical distancing is now even easier thanks to the ActiveTO initiative. Launched by the City of Toronto, ActiveTO gives people more space to enjoy the outdoors through quiet streets, major road closures and expansion of the city’s cycling network.
Enjoy ActiveTO on weekends and holiday long weekends
ActiveTO takes place on weekends when there are more people out and about in outdoor public spaces and on trails. Major road closures begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday until Sunday at 11 p.m., and include long weekend Mondays until 11pm. The program is expected to run until the end of September 2020.
Major roadways closed for ActiveTO
There are three major roadways closed to vehicular traffic to allow people to spread out and get active. Along the waterfront, sections of the eastbound lanes of Lakeshore Boulevard are closed including Lakeshore Boulevard West from Windermere Avenue to Stadium Road and Lakeshore Boulevard East from Leslie Street to just south of Woodbine Avenue.
To help ease sections of the Lower Don Trail in the east, sections of Bayview Avenue are also closed in both directions from Front Street East to Rosedale Valley Road, and River Street from Gerrard Street East to Bayview Avenue. See the interactive map of installations on the City of Toronto website for location details.
Take part in ActiveTO however you choose
Whether you prefer to cycle, run, walk, rollerblade, or even skateboard, taking advantage of ActiveTO is easy, fun and free! Roadways that are usually reserved for vehicles are now occupied by families, couples and friends of all ages looking to spend time outdoors.
How to plan a full day outdoors
There’s also more to enjoy than just the additional space. Plan a full day outdoors with stops along the way at the many beaches, green spaces, public pools, splash pads and cafes dotting the waterfront. You can also pop into Ontario Place, explore the grounds and make use of their first-come-first-served basketball and volleyball courts, and their outdoor table tennis sets. Cyclists can secure their bikes and free public washrooms are located along Lakeshore Boulevard.
Pack a picnic or grab-n-go along the Waterfront
Packing a picnic is a popular way to relax and recharge between activities but there are also a number of food spots to grab a quick bite along Lakeshore Boulevard. Just east of Windermere Avenue is the newly revamped Beach Shack Café. With its distinctive aqua blue colouring, the menu is extensive with burgers, salads, cold drinks and ice cream. Further along you’ll find the Sunnyside Pavilion Café and near Palais Royale is Blndr, known for their freshly made smoothies and juices.
If you’re near Woodbine Beach, food options include Johnny Catch Fish N Chips, Booster Juice and Tim Hortons. Grab your food to go and find a shady spot along the waterfront to enjoy.
Rent bicycles through Bike Share Toronto
If you want to cycle but don’t have a bike, you can rent one through the Bike Share Toronto program. There are over 625 kiosks located throughout Toronto and they’re an easy and affordable way to get around the city. Various pricing options are available depending on your needs, including a $7 day pass, $15 3-day pass and a $99 yearly membership.
Quiet Streets
ActiveTO also extends into neighbourhoods through the creation of quiet streets. They’re designed to enable local residents to maintain physical distancing within their communities. Temporary barricades have been placed on select neighbourhood streets to provide space for people who walk, run, use wheelchairs and bikes while encouraging slow, local vehicle access only.
Toronto’s cycling network
The city’s cycling network is also getting a major boost with an additional 25 km of dedicated bike lanes being installed throughout Toronto’s busy streets. This additional network will bring Toronto’s total bike lanes to 40 km. While the new bike lanes are being built, temporary installations will be implemented by repurposing curb lanes along many key sections of the city including Bloor Street East, University Avenue/Queen’s Park Crescent and Dundas Street East.
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