Toronto to reopen park washrooms starting this weekend

Park washrooms will begin to open across the City of Toronto this weekend, June 6 and 7.

Approximately 200 of Toronto parks public washrooms will begin to open in a two phase plan.

“This pandemic has affected our day to day life in so many ways. Things we have taken for granted have been taken away and are now slowly returning. The reopening steps we are taking here are deliberate and meaningful, as washrooms are an important public facility,” said Mayor John Tory.

This reopening will follow the Province of Ontario’s amendments to an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

This also follows the announcement made by Ontario Premier Doug Ford in May, that private parks, campgrounds, golf courses, and other retail businesses could open as a part of the province’s stage one opening framework.

The City has also already reopened a number of City-operated facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for individuals in need of these services.

The reopening of park washrooms will commence in two phases.

Phase one will have approximately 50 washroom sites opening by June 6. The remaining will reopen by the middle of the month.

“The process of opening our amenities, like park washrooms, is occurring gradually so that it can be done with the best result for the health of the public and City cleaning staff,” said Councillor James Pasternak, Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

Cleaning recommendations have been provided by Toronto Public Health (TPH). These recommendations include a deep clean, once a week, at all sites.

TPH has also said that water fountains and bottle filling stations at these parks may also open with daily cleaning and disinfection.

The City of Toronto has said that it will be committed to meeting recommendations. They have announced that they will be cleaning park washrooms – including water fountains and bottle filling stations – two times each day. They have also said that they will be conducting one deep clean per week.

Toronto residents using park washrooms, as they reopen, should maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from others at all times, while waiting in line. Residents should also wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

A list of locations and health guidelines for washrooms are available here.