Weekend need to know: Cherry blossoms, Earth Day, Leafs Game 3; TTC/road closures

Parts of the city will be dressed in light pink and white as cherry blossoms are in peak bloom this weekend.

Several Earth Day events are also happening throughout the weekend to demonstrate support for environmental conservation.

It’s also Game 3 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.

There are some scheduled subway closures and late openings, as well as ongoing road closures. Scroll below for those details.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend:

Top events

Cherry Blossoms

It’s that time of year where groups of people flock to High Park to take photos of the cherry blossoms, also known as Sakura trees.

Many of High Park’s Sakura trees are roughly 60 years old. They were gifted to the people of Toronto in 1959 by the Japanese ambassador to Canada on behalf of Tokyo, in appreciation of Toronto accepting relocated Japanese Canadians following the Second World War.

Something to keep in mind when visiting the blossoms are the signs at the park, urging people not to touch the trees for the sake of a photo, as Sakura trees are very delicate.

High Park is closed to vehicle traffic throughout the duration of the bloom, which typically lasts four to 10 days. TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles, however, will continue to run.

You can also find cherry blossom trees at 15 other sites across the City, including Trinity Bellwoods Park, The Birkdale Ravine, and Exhibition Place which has 68 Sakura trees on site.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 3

More hockey fans are heading down to the Maple Leaf Square tailgate to watch Game 3 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday evening.

The Leafs lost 7-3 in Game 1 of their NHL Playoff series. But they came back with a crushing 7-2 win over the Lightning, taking Game 2 to even it up 1-1 in the first round.

The series now shifts to Tampa for Game 3 Saturday at 7 p.m. and Game 4 on Monday. You can watch it live on Sportsnet.

William Nylander and John Tavares celebrate a goal in Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Cycle Toronto Earth Day Ride

Cycle Toronto’s Earth Day Ride to High Park is happening this Saturday.

Cyclists can meet at the southwest corner of Yonge and Davisville at 11 a.m., or they can join the group anywhere along the way.

Once cyclists arrive at the destination, the group will have a picnic before going on a walking tour of High Park.

Cycle Toronto is a Canadian cycling advocacy and charity organization with the goal of bringing safe cycling education to everyone.

Downsview Park’s Earth Day Event

Downsview Park’s free Earth Day event returns on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities at the park include taking a tour of a beehive, guided nature walks, trishaw rides, and enjoying a campfire with marshmallows.

Attendees can also take part in a community litter pick-up and help plant a tree to contribute to the park’s ecosystem which is home to deer, squirrels, rabbits, owls, and other wildlife.

There will also be an outdoor market with eco-friendly products for purchase.

Photo: downsviewpark.ca

The Street Market at Scarborough Town Centre

Scarborough Town Centre is hosting ‘The Street Market’, Ontario’s biggest travelling thrifting market.

The market will run from Saturday to Sunday at Centre Court during mall operating hours.

‘The Street Market’ will focus on thrifting and sustainable fashion and feature small businesses from across Canada.

Featured thrift store vendors will include Act 2 Vintage, Seren, Backdoor Vintage, Gnarly Native Vintage, and a lot more.

TTC closures

Line 1 full weekend closure 

There will be no subway service on Line 1 between York Mills and St Clair stations on Saturday and Sunday for construction work on Line 5 Eglinton.

Shuttle buses will operate instead. Regular subway service will resume around 6 a.m. on Monday.

Line 2 Sunday late opening

Subway service on Line 2 between St George and Broadview stations will start by 12 p.m. on Sunday for Prince Edward Viaduct beam replacement.

Shuttle buses will operate.

Road closures

Ongoing closures

• Eastbound Pottery Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday for bridge work. Westbound lanes will remain open.
• Bathurst Street is down to a single lane each way at Laurelcrest Avenue for construction until the middle of August.
• Westbound Queen from Yonge to Bay streets, the right lane will be closed until late 2023 for work on the Ontario Line.
• Military Trail is closed from Ellesmere Road to Highcastle Road for road rehabilitation and slope stabilization. The project completion date has been delayed to the summer.
• Keele Street is reduced to a single lane about 100 metres north of Langstaff in Vaughan. Construction work is scheduled to finish this spring.
• Eastbound Queen Street, east of Bay street, has the right lane blocked for construction until September.
• Northbound Yonge Street is reduced to one lane between Wellington and King Streets for TTC construction. The project is scheduled to continue into 2024.
• Bloor Street is impacted by long-term construction, which is behind schedule, between Parliament and Sherbourne streets.

With files from Jordan Kerr and Kyle Hocking of CityNews