In order to allow for physical distancing and comply with provincial orders restricting gatherings, the capacity at the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields will be significantly reduced to 10 people per field. That includes participants and coaches as well as parents and guardians, and no additional spectators are permitted. At this time, scrimmages and games are not permitted, even in the course of training or among teammates. Activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within two metres of each other must not be practised or played on the field.
Staff have worked closely with Toronto Public Health to ensure that people can train safely at the City’s outdoor sport and multi-use fields. Even though the fields are now open, pavilions, clubhouses, change areas and lockers will not be available for use, under provincial orders. Players should use individual equipment wherever possible and permit holders should ensure that any provided equipment is cleaned between use. Permit holders are also required to maintain attendance records to facilitate Toronto Public Health contact tracing should it be required.
More information about recreation in the city is available at http://www.toronto.ca/rec. Information about booking and permits for outdoor recreation facilities is available at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/venues-facilities-bookings/booking-park-recreation-facilities/.
Quotes:
"Recreation facilities within the City's more than 1,500 parks have been closed to the public since March to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Since that time, Torontonians have been dedicated in their efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As a result, Toronto has entered Stage 2 of the province’s reopening and will now be able to use more amenities found in city parks. I’m pleased that athletes will now have the opportunity to safely train and practice at Toronto's outdoor fields this summer."
- Mayor John Tory
"While Toronto’s athletes can’t yet participate in scrimmages or games, it’s important that athletes have an opportunity to train this summer season. We know that the closure of these facilities caused a great amount of discomfort and disruption to local communities, so I’m glad the sport and multi-use fields are opening, even though it's with limited capacity."
- Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6 York Centre), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
