Toronto Islands to reopen to the public this weekend

Jun 24 2020, 11:44 am

A summer tradition for many residents, the Toronto Island Park will be open to the public starting this weekend.

According to the City of Toronto, beginning on June 27, the public ferry service to the Toronto Islands will operate at 50% maximum capacity, with a number of COVID-19 guidelines and procedures in place to protect passengers and staff.

Visitors must buy tickets online in advance as they are limited to 5,000 per day. Tickets are only valid for the date selected at the time of purchase.

The City says all passengers will be required to wear masks or face coverings.

To reduce crowding, the City is encouraging visitors to travel outside of peak times. The busiest time for travel from the terminal to Toronto Island Park is between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. for the return trip.

Visitors should plan their ferry trips outside of these times.

Services and amenities that will be open at Toronto Island Park once ferry service resumes include washrooms, splash pads, a first aid station, Franklin Gardens, William Meany Maze, some food and beverage outlets and disc golf.

Other Toronto Island Park public and commercial amenities on the Island including Centreville and park playgrounds and boat rentals will remain closed as required by current Province of Ontario emergency orders, according to the City.

“I am pleased to be able to reopen public ferry services to the Toronto Island Park so that residents and visitors can once again enjoy this beloved part of our city,” said Mayor John Tory on Wednesday.

“This journey is an important Toronto tradition, with the ferries annually providing trips to over a million people a year. I encourage people to head to the island, and enjoy the ferry experience safely and patiently as demand will be high and the ferry capacity is much lower due to COVID-19 precautions.”

 

 

DH Toronto StaffDH Toronto Staff

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