Celebrate Winter in Nelson Square Pocket Park

BRAMPTON – The City of Brampton, together with the Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (DBBIA) and 8 80 Cities, has transformed a corner of the Nelson Street surface parking lot located at 20 George Street North into the Nelson Square Pocket Park. The Nelson Square Pocket Park is a temporary pop-up, which will be active until the end of August 2024. It is the second iteration of the Activate Downtown Brampton placemaking initiative meant to create a welcoming, attractive, creative and playful space for Brampton’s residents.

Residents are invited to attend a free afternoon of storytelling around the fire, s’mores roasting and games to celebrate winter and Family Day, today from 2pm-4pm. Also mark the following date:

Date: Saturday, February 24

Time: 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Location: Nelson Square Pocket Park, 20 George Street North, Brampton, ON

Warm Up the Night is a free evening of fun including Indigenous drumming, songs and teachings by Big Drum Singer and Knowledge Carrier, Anthony Gladue. Warm Up the Night is hosted in support of the Coldest Night of the Year Walk led by Regeneration Outreach Community. For more information about Activate Downtown Brampton, visit: www.brampton.ca/adb.

The City of Toronto also offers the following activities for Family Day:

Hit the ice

Skate for free at one of many outdoor ice rinks and trails, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Family Day, weather permitting. Check the City’s website for rink conditions and schedules before gliding over,

The City’s Skate Lending Library will also have free ice skates and helmet rentals at Colonel Samuel Smith Park Skate Trail from 12 to 5 p.m. More info can be found on the City’s Skate Lending Library webpage.

Catch some air

Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre will be open, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Check the status and holiday hours on the City’s Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding Centre website.

Get in touch with nature

Check out some of the many winter wonders in our parks and scenic trails. Whether it’s taking part in wildlife exploration or getting cozy next to a firepit, there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy outdoors. Visit toronto.ca/WelcomeTOWinter to learn more.

Discover Toronto’s history

Families can take part in fun, free drop-in activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at nine Toronto History Museums: Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum, Spadina Museum, Todmorden Mills, Colborne Lodge and Zion Schoolhouse. More information about long weekend museum programming is available on the City’s museum website.

See some animals

Located in the heart of the city, Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. More information is available on the City’s Riverdale Farm webpage.

Toronto’s oldest animal display in High Park is open every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. including on Family Day. This weekend, like all weekends and public holidays, High Park is closed to vehicle traffic. More information is available on the City’s High Park Animal Display webpage.

Come out to the Toronto Zoo and enjoy the 10 km of walking trails, five tropical pavilions, the carousel and the Greenhouse. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by this weekend to say hello to their favourite Zoo animals. More information is available on the City’s Toronto Zoo webpage (opens in new window) .

Take in tropical trees and plants

Centennial Park conservatory will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Family Day. Admission is free. Learn more here.