It's Flower Viewing Season!
"Hanami", or flower viewing, becomes especially significant to the Japanese in springtime when Sakura (Japanese flowering cherry) trees blossom across the country. The media in Japan advise the public on at what point along the Japanese archipelago the trees are in full bloom so that people can plan picnics to celebrate the arrival of spring.
Hanami season comes a little later to Canada, but thanks to the countless individuals and organizations who have supported the Sakura Project, there are many locations around Ontario that is suitable for enjoying the beauty of these ephemeral blossoms. Here are a few suggestions:
Within Toronto:
High Park: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto (Directions)
Trees are located in the Hillside Gardens area, across from the Grenadier Restaurant
50 Trees
Planted on April 18, 2001, and May 11, 2006
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm; http://www.highpark.org/cherry.htm
Centennial Park: 56 Centennial Park Road, Toronto (Directions)
Trees are located along Rathburn Road and Centennial Park Boulevard,
as well as northeast of the Park Conservatory, at 151 Elmcrest Road
224 Trees
Planted on November 25, 2002, June 3, 2005, and April 27, 2009
Broadacres Park: 450 The West Mall, Toronto (Directions)
Trees are located towards the southwest corner of the park, in rows
100 Trees
Planted November 25, 2002
University of Toronto:
St. George Campus: Intersection of Huron and Harbord Streets, Toronto, adjacent to Robarts Library (Directions)
Trees are on the northeast corner of the intersection, on both sides of the walking path
70 Trees Planted on October 12, 2005
http://www.library.utoronto.ca/robarts/
Scarborough Campus: 1265 Military Trail, Toronto (Directions)
Trees are located in front of the Humanities Wing
50 Trees
Planted on October 12, 2005
Cherry Street: Intersection of Cherry and Villiers Streets, Toronto (Directions)
Trees are on the northeast corner of the intersection
45 Trees
Planted on July 14, 2006
Outside Toronto:
Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls: Upper Rapids Boulevard, Niagara Falls, adjacent to Falls Shuttle Parking Centre (Directions)
Trees are on the south side of the Parking Centre Building
30 Trees
Planted on April 28, 2001
Neyagawa Park, Oakville: 540 River Glen Boulevard, Oakville (Directions)
Trees are located in northwest corner of park, adjacent to the parking lot
26 Trees
Planted on May 26, 2003
Bayfront Park, Hamilton: 709 Simcoe Street West, Hamilton (Directions)
Trees are on both sides of a walking path through the centre of the park
35 Trees
Planted on May 21, 2003
http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/Parks/ParkListInfo/ParksListA-F.htm
Southside Park, Woodstock: Finkle Street, Woodstock (Directions)
Trees are located on the west side of the park pond
89 Trees
Planted on July 27, 2006
http://www.city.woodstock.on.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=326&Itemid=411
Sakura Parkette, St. Thomas: Intersection of Confederation Drive and Avon Road, St.Thomas (Directions)
Trees are located throughout the parkette
35 Trees
Planted on May 24, 2007
http://www.city.st-thomas.on.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=153