Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Toronto has opened washrooms in parks across the city for the spring and summer, with upgrades on the way to convert them from seasonal to year-round use.
Mayor Olivia Chow said Wednesday that city workers are in the process of opening 1,000 water assets in the city in May and June. That includes washrooms, water fountains, bottle-filling stations, dog fountains, splash and spray pads, outdoor pools and wading pools.
“Getting our parks ready takes real work. It’s not just flipping a switch,” Chow told reporters at Eglinton Flats park. “Washrooms get clean, lines get flushed, parts get replaced, water gets tested.”
Park washrooms are open from May to October. But the city is spending $132 million to upgrade 125 park washrooms for use all year, the mayor said.
The city has also added 16 new public washrooms, including at such locations as Allan Gardens, Biidaasige Park and Centennial Park.
‘People need them,’ mayor says
“People need them,” Chow said. “Having more washrooms, clean ones, upgrading them, really makes a difference. We’re repainting them, repairing them. It’s going to be a lot better.”
Parks staff updated city council’s infrastructure and environment committee on Wednesday on the progress of the upgrades, she said.
Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto-Danforth and is chair of the committee, said city spending on washrooms is welcome.
“I think just having a bathroom is a smart thing when you’re downtown. I’m very happy to see the upgrades that we’re talking about,” Fletcher said.
Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents University-Rosedale and is a committee member, said she agrees completely.
“I’m really, really pleased to see the higher standard of bathroom cleaning. I have noticed it, as I go around my ward, that park bathrooms, especially ones that used to be frighteningly grungy, are regularly better.”
A view of the washrooms at Woodbine Beach. The city is spending $132 million to upgrade 125 park washrooms, converting them from seasonal to year-round use. The city has also added 16 new public washrooms at such locations as Allan Gardens, Biidaasige Park and Centennial Park (City of Toronto/X)Splash pads opening soon
On May 16, the city is expected to open more than 140 splash and spray pads.
On May 25, it’s set to open all remaining standalone water fountains, bottle-filling stations and dog fountains in parks.
“All fountains are tested to ensure the water is safe to drink when they are activated,” the city said in a news release on Wednesday.
On June 6, lifeguards will return to 10 beaches. On June 13, the city will open 15 outdoor pools and wading pools on an evening and weekend schedule.
All outdoor pools will open on an evening and weekend partial schedule on June 20, while all outdoor pools and wading pools will open a full schedule on June 26.
Residents can check the status of washrooms on the city’s webpage for Washrooms and Drinking Water in Parks.