Cherry Blossoms begin to bloom in Toronto and the best places to enjoy nature's beauty
Toronto's High Park welcomes the first cherry blossoms of the year. Sakura flowers began blooming on April 28. Full bloom is expected from May 2 through May 9. However, thunderstorms may shorten the bloom. In 1959, Japan gifted 2,000 cherry trees to Toronto. Other locations like Trinity Bellwoods also feature sakura trees. Visitors are reminded to respect the delicate trees.
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As the season of debates, rallies, and elections fades in the background, Toronto has found its breath again. Toronto's High Park has again become a home to the first cherry blossoms this year, offering people a moment to reconnect with nature and giving them a sacred pause.The first petals of the sakura flowers began to open on April 28, right on schedule. Although the cherry blossom 's brief bloom often lasts for only two weeks.'We're on track for full bloom to begin May 1, followed by peak bloom (when 90 to 100 per cent of blossoms are open) from May 2 through May 9 in High Park,' says Steven Joniak, aka 'Sakura Steve.' He's been the go-to expert on the High Park cherry blossoms for over a decade now, tracking every bud and petal.But with forecasts calling for thunderstorms and rain, the bloom's duration may be cut short. 'It's always a bit of a gamble,' Steve adds. 'But that's part of the beauty of it, the bloom is short-lived, and that's what makes it special.'The petals and blossoms will be most concentrated near the Sportfields by the Bloor Street entrance. The buds are still opening, awaiting warmth and sunlight to burst into their full splendor. However, these are still the early stages, as most of the blossoms remain tightly closed, their petals resembling small white umbrellas.In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada donated 2,000 cherry trees to the city of Toronto as a thank-you to the citizens for helping Japanese-Canadians after World War II. Many of these trees were planted in High Park.Steve reminds visitors that this beauty requires care. 'These trees are delicate,' he says. 'It's important to respect the park and the trees by not shaking the branches, picking the blossoms, or leaving behind any garbage.'Toronto offers plenty of other spots to enjoy cherry blossoms this spring. Locations like Trinity Bellwoods, Centennial Park, Robarts Library at the University of Toronto , Broadacres Park, and Toronto Island Park all feature their sakura trees, which typically bloom slightly earlier than those in High Park.Cherry blossoms, or sakura in Japanese, are trees that have long been revered for their delicate beauty and profound symbolism. Native to East Asia, and have played a major role in Japanese culture for thousands of years.
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