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Toronto’s High Park cherry blossoms can be viewed in person this year

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TORONTO, March 29, 2022 – With most COVID restrictions now lifted, the City of Toronto just announced it is readying to welcome people back to viewing cherry blossoms up close and in person at High Park for the first time since 2019. That’s right, one of Toronto’s rites of spring can be experienced for real this year.

Tens of thousands of people visit High Park annually (unless there is a pandemic) to experience the park’s blossoming Sakura trees. The blossoms typically last between four to 10 days, depending on weather conditions, and peak bloom typically occurs in late April or early May.

But if you are going please keep in mind that in the interest of public safety, the City, in consultation with the Toronto Police Service, will again restrict vehicle access and parking inside High Park for the duration of the peak bloom

While the Sakura groves in High Park are well-loved by Torontonians, the public can also experience cherry blossoms at 15 locations across the city.

Sakura cherry blossoms can be experienced in person this year in High Park, photo by Amanda Lord

“Thanks to the progress we have made confronting COVID-19, everyone will be able to come out and enjoy the cherry blossoms when they bloom this spring,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “When the peak bloom begins, I encourage you to rediscover the cherry blossoms in High Park and in cherry blossom locations across the city,” said Tory.

However, as mentioned, in the interest of public safety, the City, in consultation with the Toronto Police Service, will again restrict vehicle access and parking inside High Park for the duration of the peak bloom, with the exception of TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles. High Park will continue to be closed to vehicle traffic on weekends and public holidays.

“The Sakura trees are a beautiful symbol of friendship between Japan and Canada, and one of the many things that make High Park special,” said Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, High Park was fully closed to the public during peak bloom in 2020 and the cherry groves were fenced off in 2021, based on public health advice at the time. During those two years, a Bloom Cam provided real-time 24/7 footage for the public to experience the bloom from home.

In 2020 the Bloom Cam had almost 125,000 unique views and was watched for more than 36,600 hours. Its popularity continued in 2021.

The Bloom Cam will operate again this year for the public to enjoy the blossoms online. When available, a link to its broadcast will be posted on the City’s social channels, as well as on the cherry blossom webpage.

More information, including locations, virtual tours and accessibility information is available on the City’s cherry blossom webpage.

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