March 25, 2020 - Hey everyone, well, usually I would start with 'welcome to another Sakura Watch update.' Unfortunately, helping to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus is the more pressing matter for now.

Since my last visit to High Park just over a week ago, I've been thinking of how the future of this year's Sakura Watch could unfold as the numbers of those infected kept rising each day. I knew I didn't want to contribute to the group gatherings or even unknowingly put myself or others at risk by continuing to visit public places.

It became clear that I needed to do more to help the efforts in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and hopefully set an example of what we all should be doing to support our healthcare and city workers. I've decided it's best to put Sakura Watch on pause for the next few weeks or until the City of Toronto deems it safe for everyone to gather in public spaces again.

what’s closed in high park

This decision also ties in with the City of Toronto announcement to officially close all playgrounds and other park amenities throughout Toronto effective immediately. So what does this mean? Let me break it down.

The closure will affect all "City-owned playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor exercise equipment and other park amenities, as well as parking lots attached to its parks system."

For High Park, this would now close the following:

• dog park and fenced-in dog walking paths

• all baseball and soccer fields

• all tennis courts

• Children's Adventure Playground

• all picnic areas

• all sheltered areas (gazebos, sitting areas, etc.)

• all community gardens & greenhouse

• all parking areas

High Park Nature Centre (HPNC) / Colbourne Lodge and the Grenadier Cafe have both previously announced they will be closed until at least April 6th. All of their events are also cancelled until this date. High Park Zoo has also closed previously and has not yet set a re-opening date.

Note that all closed areas will have signs posted, gates locked, and for larger spaces be taped off. Anyone caught violating these orders will be fined up to $5000 - really not worth the risk!

do the right thing

But THE most important message to understand here is that these measures had to be enacted because of people who either ignored or refused to listen to the advice to stop gathering in groups. Mayor John Tory said it best,

"As Mayor, I know how important our parks are to residents – they are the hearts of so many neighbourhoods across the city. They are some of the best parts of our city, but playgrounds and other park amenities are gathering places and the more that people gather, the more COVID-19 will spread in our community, putting lives at risk. ..."

Every day we're seeing just how highly contagious this virus is and how it can infect both young and old alike. Even if you don't have the symptoms, you may still be carrying it and spreading it to your family and friends. Your best and only right option is to listen to the advice from our medical professionals.

City of Toronto - https://www.toronto.ca/COVID-19/

Health Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html

For now, I don't know when, or if, I will be able to go back to High Park, but I do know that the sooner all of us can do our part and follow the rules, the sooner we will all have the chance at planking the curve and making this city a healthy city once again.

Remember to follow the advice from the health experts. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, stay home (if you can), and if you absolutely need to go out in public, practice Social Distancing by keeping at least 2 meters or 6 feet apart from others. And please stop hoarding all the toilet paper!

Thank you all for visiting the site. Be Safe. Watch for some other updates soon.