Downtown fun is a summer-long treat, mostly free!

I think of myself as fortunate because I am a Torontonian who lives and works in the Downtown core: I own a small business in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood and I also work at a local hospital. It takes me less than 10 minutes to get to my daily destination on foot.

It seems to me that more and more people are starting to realize the benefits of this way of life and I believe that this is why, in part, the housing market in the core has exploded during the last several years.

Alhough I have lived Downtown for many years, I appreciate the short commute even more so in the summer months. One of the ongoing complaints I hear from friends who live in the 905 region is that the amount of construction on the 400 series highways results in hours spent sitting in traffic. When they finally arrive, they park at a subway location and then take transit into the core.

To some extent, Torontonians generally associate summer in the city with construction. On the other hand, I think of street festivals, marathons and garage sales. As a Torontonian, you either love it or hate it. Or grin and bear it.

In the month of May alone we had two marathons in the city that brought thousands of people together and raised tens of thousands of dollars for various great causes such as fighting cancer.

Street festivals bring tourism by welcoming people from surrounding areas and from across our national borders. Visitors stay in hotels, eat in local restaurants, and visit shops. Economically, it is one of the most profitable times of year for our local economy.

The number of festivals increases yearly in the city and I, for one, believe that that’s absolutely wonderful.

One of the events I take part in yearly is Woofstock. This year, the festival is taking place on June 8 and 9 at St. Lawrence Market. The energy of the people, dogs and merchants makes it one of the most enjoyable weekends of the summer.

Another of my favorite events is the Taste of the Danforth. It’s the only time of year that I enjoy eating barbecue quail. While at the Taste, I also enjoy fresh oysters. Indeed, I am sure to gain a few extra pounds during the summer given the number of festivals I attend!

Over the years, the City of Toronto has made a strong effort to inform residents of upcoming festivals and road closures weeks before events take place. I believe that this initiative has brought the community and city representatives closer.

An issue that continues to be a challenge in the best of times, but even more frustrating in the summer months, arises around festival events: traffic woes.

One remedy is to have more 1-way streets in the city. Toronto needs more 1-way major arteries in all directions, not just east and west as we have now. This, of course, is in addition to providing better public transit for all.

A word of advice: Be patient and give yourself enough time to get around.

Go with the flow and enjoy the all-too-short summer season. We have been waiting for it all year!

For detailed listings of all festivals taking place in Toronto this summer visit on the Internet www.toronto.ca/festevents.

It’s fun that everybody can enjoy and it’s usually free!