You’re Invited: Family Day Activities in Toronto & Ontario on Feb.17 + TTC Alert Feb.15-17, 2014

This video ptresents “Winter in Muskoka.”

  • “Winter is a perfect time to visit Muskoka, Ontario.”

The Ontario government passed legislation to create Family Day in 2007.

  • The first Family Day was observed on Feb. 18, 2008.
  • There are over 330 provincial parks in Ontario, Canada, with more than 100 providing visitor facilities.
"Get lost in the giant snow maze, one of many seasonal activities in store for families at the annual Voyageur Winter Carnival at Fort William Historical Park." Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
“Get lost in the giant snow maze, one of many seasonal activities in store for families at the annual Voyageur Winter Carnival at Fort William Historical Park.” Photo: Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.

Celebrate Family Day, February 17, through the following great outdoor adventures in Ontario:

“Remove your outerwear to enjoy these great indoor activities:”

  • “You don’t have to travel far to experience the delights of Eastern Canada.”
  • Be amazed by bizarre plants that eat their prey and meet animals with wild defense strategies that help to keep them alive at the Savage Gardens, Nature’s Ninjas exhibits at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
  • “Bust a move at the all-day dance party and find out “whodunit” as part of the Art Gallery of Ontario‘s gallery-wide game of Clue.”
  • Stay warm in a snow fort or sugar shack at the Fort William Historical Park winter carnival.
  • Celebrate heritage week in Ontario from Feb. 17- 23 at participating museums and heritage sites that are open on Family Day across the province.

Did you know?

Family Day Weekend (February 15-17) at Blue Mountain Village, Ontario

The following events are either FREE or PAY-What-You-Can admission on Family Day, February 17, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

  • Outdoor skating
    • Family Day schedules for outdoor rinks and select indoor rinks vary and are available at http://www.toronto.ca/skate or by calling 311.
    • There is no charge for public skating at the City’s indoor or outdoor rinks.
    • CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under the age of six, and are recommended for skaters of all ages
  • Shinny hockey
    • Supervised shinny hockey is available FREE of charge for various ages and skill levels.
    • Family Day schedules for each city facility are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/skating/dropin/hockey/index.htm or by calling 311.
    • Some programs are gender specific.
    • CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory; full face masks are mandatory for participants under the age of 18.
      • Neck and mouth guards are strongly recommended, along with other protective equipment.
      • Participants must have their own gloves and stick.
  • Riverdale Farm
    • The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Families are invited to visit the cows, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and farm cats.
    • The farm is located at 201 Winchester St. and will offer indoor board games, sewing crafts with the Cabbagetown Quilters Guild and activities with the Toronto Guild of Spinners and Weavers.
    • On Family Day drop-in activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are FREE.
    • More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/ or by calling 311.
  • Shared Path walk
    • The Shared Path, the newest of the City’s Discovery Walks, includes 15 km of trails through a series of park areas along the banks of the Humber River.
    • More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm.
    • The Discovery Walks program is 10 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features and cultural and historical attractions.
    • Maps are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm .
  • Historic Zion Schoolhouse (1091 Finch Ave. E.)
    • Visitors can explore everything paper and pop-up at this one-room schoolhouse in North York.
    • From Victorian times to modern day, see how paper and imagination can transform and delight.
    • Everything paper includes silhouettes, paper-cut-outs, pop-up books, optical toys and paper dolls.
    • Special guest Foldit Creations will lead origami lessons.
      • Children can make a pop-up card to take home.
    • Open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • FREE admission; donations accepted.
  • Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.)
    • From Saturday through to Family Day, families can go on a scavenger hunt, try a craft, sample baked goodies and hot chocolate.
    • Admission is pay what you can.
    • Open from noon to 4 p.m.

The City of Toronto operates 10 historic museums.

TTC Alerts

  • The Bloor-Danforth line will be closed from Warden to Kennedy stations from Saturday, February 15 to Monday, February 17 for scheduled track construction.
    • Shuttle buses will operate between Warden and Kennedy stations with staff on hand to offer assistance.
    • Customers requiring an accessible connection must exit at Victoria Park or Kennedy stations, where a Wheel-Trans vehicle will be available.
    • Regular subway service will resume on Tuesday, February 18 at 6 a.m.
  • The TTC will be operating its holiday schedule on Monday, February 17.

Enjoy!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

February 12, 2014

City of Toronto offers activities for a fun-filled Family Day

The City of Toronto encourages residents to enjoy Family Day on Monday, February 17 by taking advantage of a wide array of recreational activities, museums and other attractions.

“Family Day is a great opportunity to participate in programs and activities being offered throughout the city,” said Mayor Rob Ford. “Go for a skate, play some shinny or visit one of our museums. There is something for everyone in Toronto on Family Day.”

Outdoor skating
Family Day schedules for outdoor rinks and select indoor rinks vary and are available at http://www.toronto.ca/skate or by calling 311. There is no charge for public skating at the City’s indoor or outdoor rinks. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under the age of six, and are recommended for skaters of all ages.

Shinny hockey
Supervised shinny hockey is available free of charge for various ages and skill levels. Family Day schedules for each city facility are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/skating/dropin/hockey/index.htm or by calling 311. Some programs are gender specific. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory; full face masks are mandatory for participants under the age of 18. Neck and mouth guards are strongly recommended, along with other protective equipment. Participants must have their own gloves and stick.

Skiing and snowboarding
Centennial Ski and Snowboard Centre, located at 256 Centennial Park Rd., will be open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre, located at 4169 Bathurst St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Rental equipment and lift passes are available for purchase. Families can take advantage of the “Adults Pay, Kids Play” offer from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Adults pay $24 each and up to two children under 18 years of age can ski or snowboard for free (rentals not included).

The use of a recognized ski or snowboard helmet is required for lessons and strongly recommended for other participants. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/skiing or by calling 311.

Swimming
Make a splash at one of 10 City-run indoor pools open from 2 to 5 p.m. on February 17. Regular admission fees will apply: adult $2; child, youth and seniors $1 each; families $5.50. A list of locations is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/swimming.

Riverdale Farm
The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families are invited to visit the cows, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and farm cats. The farm is located at 201 Winchester St. and will offer indoor board games, sewing crafts with the Cabbagetown Quilters Guild and activities with the Toronto Guild of Spinners and Weavers. On Family Day drop-in activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/ or by calling 311.

High Park Zoo
Toronto’s oldest zoo is celebrating 120 years. Located on Deer Pen Rd., the High Park Zoo offers both domestic and exotic animals including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle and sheep. The zoo is open daily year round from 7 a.m. to dusk. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/ or by calling 311.

Shared Path walk
The Shared Path, the newest of the City’s Discovery Walks, includes 15 km of trails through a series of park areas along the banks of the Humber River. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm.

The Discovery Walks program is 10 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features and cultural and historical attractions. Maps are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm.

Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.)
Explore the history of Toronto and Fort York. Visit the Fort’s historic kitchen and sample baking from the hearth. Hot chocolate and a roaring fire will make this a memorable visit. Kids can participate in an 1812 drill class, officers’ sword drill and some old-fashioned games. Admission for adults is $7.96, seniors $3.81, youth $4.87, and children $3.76 (plus taxes). Free admission for children five and under. Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Historic Zion Schoolhouse (1091 Finch Ave. E.)
Visitors can explore everything paper and pop-up at this one-room schoolhouse in North York. From Victorian times to modern day, see how paper and imagination can transform and delight. Everything paper includes silhouettes, paper-cut-outs, pop-up books, optical toys and paper dolls. Special guest Foldit Creations will lead origami lessons. Children can make a pop-up card to take home. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free admission; donations accepted.

Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.)
In celebration of Black History Month, visitors will learn about the early black community in Toronto. Visitors can take home an important piece of journalism history by printing a copy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s newspaper, The Provincial Freeman. Children can try illumination (colouring previously drawn and printed pictures), which was a popular practice in the 19th century. Admission for adults is $6.19, seniors and youth $3.54, children $2.65 (plus taxes). Free admission for children four and under. Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W.)
Maureen’s Reel Irish Dancing will teach a dance workshop and Irish ceilidh from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Resident storyteller Nan Brien will share tales at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Cooks in the historic kitchen will prepare tasty treats over the fire. Admission for adults is $5.71, seniors and youth $2.86, children $1.90 (plus taxes). Open from 1 to 5 p.m.

Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.)
From Saturday through to Family Day, families can go on a scavenger hunt, try a craft, sample baked goodies and hot chocolate. Admission is pay what you can. Open from noon to 4 p.m.

Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.)
Visitors can experience the privileged world of the Austin children and the working-class lives of the chauffeur’s children who lived at Spadina House. Families can participate in games, school lessons and more. Tours take place at 12:15, 1, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. Admission for adults is $7.96, seniors and youth $5.75, children $4.87 (plus taxes). Free admission for children five and under. Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.)
Families can learn about owls, explore 19th century historic homes, sample tasty treats prepared on the open hearth and make owl-themed crafts. Admission for adults is $5.31, seniors and youth $3, children $2 (plus taxes). Open from noon to 4 p.m.

The City of Toronto operates 10 historic museums. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/museum-events or you can follow the museums at http://www.facebook.com/historictoronto and on Twitter @TOhistoricsites.

Other municipal facilities/services
City of Toronto-operated Child Care Centres and Children’s Services’ district offices are closed. Toronto Home Child Care Agency providers will offer service as usual.

All Toronto Public Libraries will be closed.

Some community recreation centres will be closed on Family Day. Closure notices have been circulated in advance at those locations and will be posted at each site. Residents should call their local centre ahead of time to confirm if they will be open.

All City of Toronto emergency and 24-hour services will operate normally.

The Toronto Zoo will be open as usual from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 17. More information about activities at the zoo is available at http://www.torontozoo.com.

The TTC will be operating its holiday schedule on Monday, February 17. The holiday schedule has the same operating times as on a Sunday, with an earlier start time of 6 a.m. Any routes that do not normally operate on a Sunday will not operate on February 17. More information is available at http://www.ttc.ca/Routes/General_Information/Service_Details.jsp.

The Bloor-Danforth line will be closed from Warden to Kennedy stations from Saturday, February 15 to Monday, February 17 for scheduled track construction. Shuttle buses will operate between Warden and Kennedy stations with staff on hand to offer assistance. Customers requiring an accessible connection must exit at Victoria Park or Kennedy stations, where a Wheel-Trans vehicle will be available. Regular subway service will resume on Tuesday, February 18 at 6 a.m. More information is available at http://www.ttc.ca.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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