You’re Invited: More March Break Events in Toronto 2012

 This is an update to my previous blogs:

• You’re Invited: March Break Recreational Swimming in Vaughan, Ontario March 12 – 16, 2012

•  You’re Invited: 2012 March Break Events in Ontario, Canada

Please add the following venues to the list of March Break events that require relatively reasonable fees:

• Playground Paradise
  • is an indoor playground for children aged 12 and under
  • kids can play on a two-storey play structure, go down the spiral slide, swing on the track ride, climb the cargo elevator, talk to friends through the talk tube and play in the ball pool with over 8,000 balls
  • located at Flemingdon Park Community Centre  (150 Grenoble Drive, Toronto, Ontario
  • the public hours for March Break are:
    •  March 12 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
    • Friday, March 16, from 1 to 4 p.m., and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
    • admission is $2.50 per child, per hour during the day and $2.50 per child for the whole evening

•  The Toronto Track and Field Centre
  • at York University is open for all sports enthusiasts
  • the centre features an indoor sprint track, banked oval track and two weight rooms:
    • Monday to Thursday : 9 am – 9:45 pm
    • Friday: 9 am – 8:45 pm
    • Saturday: 9 am – 4:45 pm
    • Sunday: Closed
  • Admission: Child/Youth (6-17 yrs) (6-12 yrs must be accompanied by an adult or guardian): $3.25,
    Adults: (18-59 yrs):$5.50 and Seniors (60 yrs +): $2.75

Here are the FREE March Break events offered by the City of Toronto in Ontario, Canada:

• Skating
  • families can enjoy FREEleisure skating at the City’s indoor arenas, which include caregiver and tot, family skate and shinny:
    • CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under six years of age, and are recommended for skaters of all ages.
    • CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for all shinny hockey participants.
    • Full face masks are also mandatory for all participants under the age of 19.
    • Neck and mouth guards are strongly recommended as well as other protective equipment.
    • Participants must have their own gloves and stick.
  • Ricoh Coliseum is also offering FREE family skating from Monday, March 12 to Friday March 16 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.:
    • No entry fee required.
    • Bring your own skating gear as Ricoh Coliseum does not rent equipment.
    • Children 12 years and under are required to wear a CSA-approved helmet.
    • Family Skate sessions are first come, first served.
    • No more than 250 people are permitted on the ice at any one time.
    • A liability waiver will be available at the Coliseum and must be signed a parent or care giver 18 years or older upon entry.
    • Entry is located next to the Direct Energy Centre located at Exhibition Place, off Nunavut Road.
    • For more information, call 311.

• Drop-in Programs
  Free or low-cost drop-in programs are available for families at City run community centres during March Break.

• Riverdale Farm
  • 201 Winchester Street, Toronto
    (416) 392-6794
  •  is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • admission is FREE
  • tour the Riverdale Farm’s scenic grounds to see cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits and cats.
  • while you’re there, visit the Residence and the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum.
  • the Meeting House hosts drop-in craft activities from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm and farmer demonstrations occur at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm
  • the Riverdale Farm is open from 9 am to 5 pm, is accessible to all

• High Park Zoo
  • is open daily year-round to visitors from 7 a.m. to dusk; FREE
  • located on Deer Pen Road, the High Park Zoo offers both domestic and exotic animals including bison, llamas, peacocks, deer, highland cattle and sheep
  • FREE parking is available in designated parking areas only; parking between 1:00am and 6:00am is prohibited

• Far Enough Farm
  Far Enough Farm is located on Toronto Island and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Free Spring Flower Shows
  • at Centennial Park Conservatory, located at 151 Elmcrest Rd., Toronto
  • at Allan Gardens Conservatory, located at 19 Horticultural Ave.,
  • are both featuring spring flower shows this March Break
  • families can see plants like cyclamen, primula, crocuses, tulips and daffodils in flower
  • the Easter flower shows open at both conservatories on April 1 and include Easter lilies and hydrangea
  • both Conservatories are open 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is FREE
  • for more information call Centennial Park Conservatory at (416)394-8543 and Allan Gardens Conservatory at (416)392-7288.

• Discovery Walks
  • families can explore the city through a number of self-guided Discovery Walks
  • the Discovery Walks program is a series of 10 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods; ranging from 1.5 to 18 kilometres, the walks are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features, cultural and historical attractions; maps are available to download
  • one Discovery walk that is available is the new shared path along the Humber River, which links the city’s ravines, parks and neighbourhoods
    •  includes approximately 15 km of trails through a series of park areas along the banks of the Humber River

Please click here for more info about Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s March Break camps, programs, discovery walks and locations or call 311.

Contact Info:

Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call City of Toronto. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Happy March Break!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

March 9, 2012

City camps and programs make March Break fun and affordable for the whole family

The City of Toronto offers a wide variety of affordable family activities at its museums and its many Parks, Forestry and Recreation locations for March Break.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation programs:

Families are encouraged to enjoy March Break together by getting out, being active and having fun. The City has a range of leisure activities for families and camps for children and youth.

Skating
Families can enjoy free leisure skating at the City’s indoor arenas, which include caregiver and tot, family skate and shinny. Ricoh Coliseum is also offering free family skating from Monday, March 12 to Friday March 16 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Swimming
The City’s indoor pools are offering special March Break swim programs, including leisure swim, family swim, preschool swim, and lane swim sessions.

Skiing and Snowboarding
Weather permitting, the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Centres are open for both lessons and public skiing/snowboarding. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/skiing.

March Break Camps
Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation is holding a number of March Break camps for children and youth. Participants can enjoy activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama, sports and games. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks.

Drop-in Programs
Free or low-cost drop-in programs are available for families at City run community centres during March Break.

Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

High Park Zoo
High Park Zoo is open daily year-round to visitors from 7 a.m. to dusk.

Far Enough Farm
Far Enough Farm is located on Toronto Island and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Playground Paradise
Playground Paradise is an indoor playground for children aged 12 and under. Located at Flemingdon Park Community Centre, 150 Grenoble Dr., the public hours for March Break are March 12 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, from 1 to 4 p.m., and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Admission is $2.50 per child, per hour during the day and $2.50 per child for the whole evening.

Free spring flower shows
Centennial Park Conservatory, located at 151 Elmcrest Rd. and Allan Gardens Conservatory, located at 19 Horticultural Ave., are both featuring spring flower shows this March Break. Families can see plants like cyclamen, primula, crocuses, tulips and daffodils in flower.

Discovery Walks
Families can explore the city through a number of self-guided Discovery Walks. One Discovery walk that is available is the new shared path along the Humber River, which links the city’s ravines, parks and neighbourhoods.

More information about Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation’s March Break camps, programs, discovery walks and locations is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks or call 311.

Museum and historic sites’ activities:
The City’s museums and historic sites are offering affordable family events, activities and interactive camps for March Break.

March Break camps:
• Gibson House is offering “Fun in 1851,” a full day program for seven-to 11-year-olds.
• Montgomery’s Inn is holding “Cooking Capers” each afternoon for ages eight- to-11-year-olds.
• Scarborough Museum is offering “Pioneer Adventure Camp” for five-to 12-year-olds during the week of March Break.

To register for the camps or for more information visit http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/camps.htm.

Drop-in activities at the museums include:
Colborne Lodge in High Park is offering tours of the historic house from March 10 to 18 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Families will also have the opportunity to learn how the children of Colborne Lodge lived. Admission: adults: $5.71, seniors and students: $2.62, children: $2.38 plus tax.

Fort York National Historic Site  is offering a special program called “March through time” from March 12 to 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can dress up, learn how to march like a soldier, cook in the historic kitchen, play music, and much more. Admission: adults: $7.62, seniors and youths: $3.81, children: $2.86 plus tax. Children under three years of age are free. Parking is available at the main entrance.

Gibson House is offering family discovery tours from March 12 to 16, from noon to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can take a discovery tour of the historic house, take part in activities, which will have a different theme each day, and children can make a craft to take home.  Daily themes include:  “Maple Monday”, “Toy Tuesday”, “Woolly Wednesday”, “Thready Thursday” and “Fireside Friday”. Admission: adults: $5.48, seniors and youths: $3.10, children: $2.61 plus tax.

Mackenzie House will be holding “March ‘Musements” from March 10 to 18, Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the public can create a three-dimensional image. On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, visitors can make illustrations and aquatints. Families can also print their own picture on the 1845 press. Admission: adults: $5.71, seniors and students: $2.62, children: $2.38 plus tax.

Montgomery’s Inn is holding the Golden Age Academy Art exhibit from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Visitors to the exhibit will also be able to enjoy morning or afternoon tea. Tea with either sweet plate or cheese and crackers will cost $5 plus tax. Admission to the Inn: adults: $5.71, seniors: $2.86, youth: $2.86, children: $1.90 plus tax.

Scarborough Museum is offering families the opportunity to learn about rural life in Scarborough this March Break. Tours are being offered on Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission during March Break is by donation.

Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens is holding “March Mystery Madness” from March 10 to 18, from noon to 5 p.m. Families who take part will have the opportunity to solve the case of the missing jewelry. Other activities also include making 1920s-themed crafts and cooking special treats in the Spadina Museum’s kitchen. Admission: adults: $7.62, seniors and youths: $4.76, children: $3.81 plus tax.

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site is presenting “March Mania in the Valley” from March 10 to 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic home and sample tasty treats prepared on the open hearth. Families will also be able to learn about life in 19th-century Toronto and create a unique take-home craft. Tours of the Wildflower Preserve is also available. Admission: adults: $5.24, seniors and youths: $2.14, children: $1.43 plus tax.

Casa Loma is presenting a “Pirates & Princesses” show from March 12 to 17. Visitors can enjoy this enchanted family show which features classic story-book characters including Cinderella, the Little Mermaid, Prince Charming, Snow White and Captain Jack Albatross. Multiple shows will be performed daily.  Admission:  adults $20.55, seniors and youth: $14.63, children $11.32. All prices include tax. More information is available at http://casaloma.org.

More information about the March Break programs, tours and camps being offered by the City’s Museums and historic sites is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums  or call 311.

Cooking camp at St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market is bringing back its kids cooking camp during the March Break. One of the market’s chefs will be taking the children shopping at the market to pick up ingredients for the menu. The participants will be exposed to Canadian, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern food. The camp is for children eight to 13 years. The cost to attend the camp is $50 a day per child (plus taxes). The camp will run daily from March 15 to 18. Register by calling 416-860-0727 or by email at info@themarketkitchen.ca.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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