How park-goers are taking advantage of Toronto’s early spring

On Saturday, Toronto’s temperature cracked the 17-degree mark, setting a record high for the day. For some, it was a harbinger of planet-destroying climate change; for others, it was a cue to dust off their frisbees and tennis rackets a month or two ahead of schedule. We paid a visit to Trinity Bellwoods Park, always ground zero for warm-weather keeners, to ask people how they’re taking advantage of winter’s early departure.

Josh Weisfeld, 22, business consultant
“Last weekend I went skiing, and this weekend there’s no snow at all. So it’s a nice shift.”

Paul Heakes, 34, actuary
“I play tennis about once a week as soon as the weather gets nice.”

Sandeep Kembhavi, 32, sports management
“I brought a few more layers, because I thought I might need them. But it’s perfect shorts and t-shirt weather, and once we get moving it will be even better.”

Julian Karst, 38, software developer
“I walked from Parkdale to my office downtown and back. It’s about a 40-minute walk each way, and it was only about four or five degrees at the time. My nose was running pretty seriously by the end.”

Laurissa Barnes-Roberts, 30, graphic designer
“I went for my first run on the boardwalk last week. The temperature was in the teens, so I wore my summer running gear—capris and a tank. I was just so excited that it was finally dry enough for me to do that.”

James Dowrick, 36, contractor—with P.J. (child) and Archie (dog)
“Today is the first day I haven’t needed a jacket. It’s a little chilly right now, but it looks like it’s going to be a pretty spectacular day later on.”

Yvonne Diep, 25, pastry chef at Nadège Patisserie
“Hanging out in the park has been the most spring-like thing I’ve done so far. We’re allowed to come here on our breaks.”

Myron Jones, 66, retired
“I started cleaning out the backyard and setting up the outdoor furniture. It’s what I do every spring as soon as the weather gets nice—that and take the snow tires off the car. If it does snow again, I’ve decided that I just won’t drive.”

Michael Nye, 29, insurance broker
“I’m torturing myself with a juice cleanse this weekend, so I can’t even go sit on a patio and have a beer. But the juice isn’t all that bad.”

Amanda D’Ascenzo, 27, project manager
“I’ve started to do some spring cleaning. It’s all about downsizing the clutter now.”

Ashley Triance-Haldane, 34, administrator
“I’ll walk to work if the weather is nice enough. It’s about a 35-minute walk, so I always have a pretty good sweat going on by the time I get there.”

Felix Beaudry, 24, PhD student
“Today is the first day I’ve taken my shoes off outside. I just had a big test yesterday, so today I’m taking the day off and letting my feet out. I was hoping it would be a little bit warmer. But it’s worth it.”

Keillor Macleod, 23, industrial design student at OCAD
“The most spring-like thing I’ve done so far is biking down here, grabbing a coffee and meeting friends. I’ll probably have patio beers later. I have to.”

Jennifer Dam, 25, project accountant
“Riding my bike along the lakeshore. It’s really nice when it’s sunny. I’ve done that three times this year.”