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Toronto closes High Park during cherry blossom season

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In light of all of the park and business closures throughout the province, it comes as no surprise that sadly today, on Earth Day, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced this afternoon that the City has made the difficult decision to close High Park during the duration of cherry blossom season.

“The only way we can continue to make progress is by continuing to keep people apart,”said Mayor Tory.

To encourage residents to stay home and stay safe people will be able to experience the cherry blossoms through multiple stream platforms.

“I can assure you at this time that we are doing everything we can to make sure people can enjoy the blossoms in a virtual manner,” said Mayor Tory. Although the team working on the virtual experience has yet to finalise it, Mayor Tory said that there will be several cameras set up along with special video features.

High Park cherry blossoms in full bloom. The park is famous for its sakura cherry blossom trees donated in 1959 by former Japanese ambassador Toru-Hagiwara. 2,000 trees were donated on behalf of Tokyo in appreciation of friendship for Toronto taking in Japanese-Canadians following World War II.
photo by City of Toronto

The closure of High Park applies only during pre-bloom and peak bloom time periods which usually take place late April to early May.

This closure follows similar cherry blossom closures in Washington D.C., Mississauga, Europe and throughout Japan.

When asked if it was possible to do a partial closure, Mayor Tory said they explored that avenue but it was decided that it wouldn’t be feasible.

“Believe me I have no interest in closing a park, or any park,” said Tory “but I do want to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can get on with restarting the entire city as soon as possible,” said Tory.

Dates of the closure are weather dependent and they will be announced as soon as the City is advised. Mayor Tory said the park will be reopened as fast as they can as soon as the cherry trees finish blooming.

Signing and barriers will be erected to make it very clear that the park is closed and the park also will be policed with fines of between $750 an $5,000 in place for violation of the by-law.

“I do hope that not a single ticket will be issued,” said Mayor Tory. He also asked that visitors do not take out their frustration of city employees.

Tory assured residents that the park will be in a better condition afterwards as the City will be taking advantage of the closure to have it looking at its very best, with a major cleanup planned.

High Park is famous for its sakura cherry blossom trees donated in 1959 by former Japanese ambassador Toru-Hagiwara. 2,000 trees were donated on behalf of Tokyo in appreciation of friendship for Toronto taking in Japanese-Canadians following World War II.

story by Terry Lankstead

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