DVP and Scarborough RT shut down this weekend, plan alternate route for events

By Patricia D'Cunha and Samantha Knight

It is going to be a busy weekend in Toronto. Not only are there several events taking place, including ones to mark Earth Day, drivers and transit riders will have to find alternative routes to get to them.

The Don Valley Parkway is closed this weekend for annual spring maintenance and Line 3 (Scarborough RT) is also shut down due to TTC work. GO Transit riders will also face service adjustments on two lines.


Earth Day

On the heels of Earth Hour last month, Earth Day is being celebrated around the world on Saturday. There are several events being held in Toronto to mark the day.

 

Christie Pitts will be the site of a musical affair as people gather to listen to music and dance in the park. The event, presented by One Fire Movement, runs from noon to 5 p.m.

If cleaning up the community is more your thing, head down to Canoe Landing Park near CityPlace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents from the area or beyond are also asked to bring in clothing and household items to donate or recycle. Around the same time, people will be cleaning up Centennial Park in Etobicoke. Volunteers will be treated with pizza and other snacks after the cleanup.

Recycling is also the theme of a clothing swap at the Gladstone Hotel, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are looking to downsize your closet or spruce it up, trade in your gently-used clothing and accessories for some unique items. Any leftover clothes will be donated to Sistering: A Woman’s Place.

Trinity Bellwoods Park will be a hub of adventure as kids get to build things, get their hands dirty, learn how to take calculated risks, and collaborate creatively with other children. The pop-up adventure playground will be on site from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Earth Day Canada is trying to have permanent adventure playgrounds at parks.

On Sunday, at the other end of the city, others will be planting trees and taking part in a camp fire at Downsview Park. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and also includes other outdoor activities. The tree planting supports the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute.

Other events

Backyard Living Expo
Learn how to get your backyard in tip-top shape this weekend at the Backyard Living Expo. The expo is the only event of its kind in the GTA, featuring numerous exhibits, and everything to do with backyards and the outdoors. Guests can explore barbecues, outdoor kitchens, pools, trampolines, outdoor furniture and landscape design. There will also be samples of food, spices, sauces, condiments, wines, beer and spirits. The event runs Friday through Sunday at the International Centre.

March for Science Toronto
Toronto is joining almost 400 cities around the world in the March for Science on Saturday. The event brings together citizens and scientists. They will advocate for integrity in science and evidence-based policy-making, celebrate Canadian scientists and promote better and more inclusive science. The march gets underway at Nathan Phillips Square at 11 a.m. and will travel to Queen’s Park, where supporters will hear from speakers.

Trinity Bellwoods Flea – April Showers Market
Don’t let April showers keep you from getting out and about for some spring shopping this weekend. The Trinity Bellwoods Flea – April Showers Market has everything to help put a spring in your step. The market offers locally crafted goods, food, music, art, fashion and vintage items. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at The Great Hall on Queen Street West.

TIFF Kids Closing Night
The TIFF Kids International Film Festival is coming to an end this weekend. The closing night feature is ‘Ronja, The Robber’s Daughter.’ The film, which follows the adventures of a young girl raised in a mountain fort by her parents and a loving band of robbers, won the 2016 International Emmy Kids Award for Animation. The show goes at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets include popcorn, a drink and a gift bag.

Road closures and transit updates

DVP closure
If you need to drive into the downtown core this weekend or to areas north and east of Toronto, you will need to plan an alternate route.

The DVP, between Highway 401 and Gardiner Expressway, is scheduled to be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday due to spring maintenance. Drivers can use Don Mills Road, Kingston Road, Bayview Avenue and Victoria Park Avenue as alternate routes.

During the closure, there will be no parking and no standing restrictions on Bayview from Danforth Avenue to Pape Avenue and O’Connor Drive.

Line 3 shutdown
Drivers hoping to navigate around the road closure by taking transit will also face another hurdle with the Scarborough RT closure.

The line will be shut down this weekend for TTC work. Shuttle buses will run between Scarborough Centre and Kennedy stations. Wheel-Trans buses will also be available upon request. Regular service resumes at 6 a.m. on Monday.

GO Transit service
Trains will be replaced with buses on the Barrie line the entire weekend due to construction at Maple GO Station. Also, train service on the Lakeshore East line will be reduced to hourly starting at 8 p.m. on Friday and throughout the weekend because of work at at Guildwood Station and the East Rail Maintenance Facility.

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