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COVID-19 Lockdown: How to Stay Safe in Mississauga While Accessing the Outdoors

COVID-19 | December 2, 2020

As part of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework Mississauga residents are reminded that it is crucial they stay home and limit close contact to their households, only leaving their homes for essential reasons.

In terms of necessity, exercise and focusing on mental health remains a priority, even while lockdown measures are in place.

“As both COVID-19 fatigue and positive cases continue to rise, it is essential that all Mississauga residents do everything they can to stay safe while still looking after their physical and mental health,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “With more than 500 parks in Mississauga, there is plenty of space for families from the same households and individuals to get outside and get some fresh air and exercise.”

As close contact increases the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission, it is crucial that residents observe outdoor etiquette to help keep everyone safe. This includes keeping their distance from others and passing safely while using the same trails and pathways. Also, even when outdoors, wear a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Local outdoor amenities available this winter

Mississauga Celebration Square (MCS)

MCS has transformed into the Great Bright North with vibrant and festive lighting. An example of one new lighting installation is Chimes. Every movement of the central wind chime triggers an unique light and sound reaction in this 7,000 sq. ft. artwork. Chimes is a creation of Collectif Blackbox and a coproduction of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and Spectra (Illuminart). It was created for the Fête des Lumières of Lyon in 2017 and is being displayed for the first time in the GTA at MCS.

Guests planning to walk through the Square must keep within their household groups and maintain a safe physical distance of two metres at all times.

Community Outdoor and Natural Rinks

Skating can take place at one of 26 outdoor ice rinks, including those highlighted below. The outdoor community rinks are free to the public and open daily from sunrise to 11 p.m., weather permitting.

  1. Mississauga Celebration Square – Opening in December. There are currently no restrictions or pre-reservation requirements in place. Public washrooms on Celebration Square will be open to the public. The Celebration Square ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  2. Burnhamthorpe Community Centre Outdoor Rink – Opening by Monday December 7, weather permitting. The rink will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-in skating activities are being planned and pre-reservation will be applicable for each activity at activemississauga.ca. Change rooms will be not be available at this location. Public washroom access will be available.
  3. Woodhurst Outdoor Rink – Opening mid-December, weather permitting. The rink will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-in skating activities are being planned and pre-reservation will be applicable for each activity at activemississauga.ca. Change rooms will be not be available at this location.

View the full list of natural ice rinks here

Trails

The majority of the City’s trails receive regular winter maintenance and can be safely used and explored by outdoor enthusiasts. However, trails that do not receive winter maintenance are still used in the snowy months by residents who enjoy activities including snowshoeing and deep-snow hiking. This year, the City will be adding additional woodchips to the woodlot trails to help with traction. The trails will also be marked for winter use.

Available Park Amenities

The below park amenities will be open this year for use by the community. Visit the City’s interactive map to search for a park by location or filter parks for specific features, including those listed below:

  • Leash-free zones
  • Toboggan hills
  • Boxed soccer (pitches will be left unlocked for community use)
  • Outdoor sport courts
  • Playgrounds
  • Picnic shelters
  • Outdoor fitness equipment
  • Secondary sports fields
  • Artificial fields (will be left unlocked for community use)

Public Washrooms

Park washrooms designed for year-round use will remain open this season with enhanced cleaning practices. Also, many of the parks and trails connect into local community centres and/or arenas that are normally open for washroom access. Local food establishments normally available within community centres and arenas will remain closed at this time.

Year round washrooms can be found at the below locations.

  1. Lakeside Park
  2. Jack Darling Memorial Park (adjacent to the leash-free area)
  3. Marina Park (inside the lighthouse)
  4. R.K. McMillan Park
  5. Erindale Park
  6. Father Angelos Saad Community Park (formerly known as Fallingbrook Park)
  7. Garnetwood Park
  8. Mount Charles Park
  9. Community Common Park
  10. Mississauga Celebration Square
  11. The Riverwood Conservancy (inside the Visual Arts Mississauga building)

In addition to the year-round washrooms mentioned above, portable washrooms will also be placed later this month in high-demand locations and key trail areas. These washrooms will be in place until indoor amenities open for public access. The washrooms will be winterized and accessible and will be located in areas that receive winter maintenance. Portable washroom locations can be found in the list below.

For information on health and safety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit peelregion.ca/coronavirus.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

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Media Contact:
City of Mississauga Media Relations
media@mississauga.ca
905-615-3200, ext. 5232
TTY: 905-896-5151

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