
With the COVID-19 pandemic reminding us how important parks and public spaces are, here are some tips to enjoy Berczy Park safely and responsibly this summer:
> Care for the park and each other: Honour safe physical distancing of 2 metres or more in the park. And, leave no waste in the park. This is especially important since the City Parks Dept is providing only essential cleaning and maintenance at this time, including weekly mowing, clean-up crews to search for needles or other hazards, and regular emptying of waste bins.
> Pet-owners, be mindful of others in the park: We ask pet-owners to be sensitive to the need to share the park with others. This means honouring poop & scoop bylaws, since more people wish to sit, picnic and play on clean lawns. Please also be sure to control your pets, particularly keeping them on-leash so they don’t disturb others who may be uncomfortable with animals nearby. The gravel mural garden at the base of the Flatiron Bldg is designed as a pet-relief area, with a green bin/organic waste bin for used poop bags.
> Help us keep the park clean: While we cannot yet hold our volunteer park clean-up or adopt-a-tree activities due to Public Health rules, our FOBP Working Committee representatives perform daily cleaning of the movable tables & chairs for everyone’s enjoyment. Please help us out, by picking up a piece of litter you see when you visit the park. You can do this safely by using a plastic bag or clean poop bag as a ‘mitten’ and sanitize your hands right after.
> Smoke breaks in the park: If you wish to have a smoke in the park, please don’t discard cigarette butts on the ground. This is never encouraged, since the butts are a litter, and it’s especially true now that cigarette butts represent a hygiene risk to others.
> See a crime or disruptive behaviour? If you have a safety or security complaint in the park or witness dangerous behaviour, please immediately call the Police 51 Division non-emergency line (at 416-808-2222). Even if the police cannot respond immediately, your call will be added to City reports, which can prompt more frequent patrols and inspections. Remember, it may be helpful to take and send a photo of the disturbing act, if it is safe for you to do so.
*And, only call 9-11 for emergency or life endangering situations. Please see the
About page on our blog for details on reporting these and other incidents.
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Events in Berczy Park: We hope that someday soon we can resume our community activities, like the library children’s storytime, book-lovers group, knitting group, as well as the cultural events hosted by the St Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Association (BIA). Watch for our emails,
our blog facebook or twitter (@FriendsofBerczy) for updates. We also welcome your images on Instagram at Berczy.park.
> When does the fountain turn on? Finally, the big question on many of our minds. Presently, the City does not have a date set to reactivate city fountains, due to COVID-19. They will do so when advised it is safe and recommended by Public Health.
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