In case you need reminding, the warm weather is finally here.
So it’s time to turn our minds to walking, biking, rollerblading, or taking transit — anything to avoid gas-spewing cars.
One of my favourite things to do in the summer is take long walks with my boyfriend. We will pick a destination and stroll for hours as we talk, stop for a snack, watch some live street performers and relax in a park. It’s lovely.
If you’re looking for more local activities, how about a simple after-dinner jaunt through your neighbourhood? It is a great way to burn off calories and make room for some ice cream. In my Little Italy neighbourhood, I have to walk fast past the many enticing gelataria establishments offering yummy flavours like pistachio, coconut or watermelon or I’d be tempted to stop every time.
What does this have to do with being kinder to the environment? Well, it’s my way of encouraging you to leave the car at home and explore your neighbourhood and Toronto.
If you want to investigate a ’hood other than your own, there are many free walking tours in the warm weather including some offered by Heritage Toronto. There’s a list on the website www.heritagetoronto.org that includes Toronto’s railway heritage July 11 and Queen’s Park on July 17.
Another fun thing about summer is all the outdoor festivals. I enjoyed three of them in the last weekend in May: Barbados by the Water at Habourfront was a chance to see hear live music and enjoy some food; Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington where the streets are blocked off to cars and live music and food stalls take over; and the annual festival on my parents’ street in the Annex where vehicles aren’t allowed, so kids can play road hockey, run around with water guns, neighbours bring out barbecues and pot luck dishes.
I either walk or take transit everywhere I go, except when I am a passenger in a car. But for those who drive, it can be a different experience to walk or take the TTC to an event or destination. There’s no hassle finding parking or waiting an hour to leave behind a line up of cars.
Back in May, World Wildlife Foundation also issued a challenge to people to leave their cars at home for a week.
And so I am taking up that torch and passing it to you. Can you live without your car for a week? What are the benefits and challenges of not having access to a vehicle for seven days?
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