Outdoor Activities Are Open Again In Ontario & Here's Everything You Can Do

In Ontario, outdoor activities are allowed as of May 22 and that means there are so many things Ontarians can do now.

Premier Doug Ford announced this new development on May 20, as part of a broad reopening plan for the province.

Ontario has given the green light to the following activities and amenities, but only if people from different households stay physically distanced while using them and no team sports or recreational classes are held there.

1. Parks and recreational areas
2. Baseball diamonds
3. Batting cages
4. Soccer, football and sports fields
5. Tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts
6. Basketball courts
7. BMX parks
8. Marinas
9. Skate parks
10. Golf courses and driving ranges
11. Frisbee golf locations
12. Cycling tracks and bike trails
13. Horse riding facilities
14. Shooting ranges, including those operated by rod and gun clubs
15. Ice rinks
16. Tobogganing hills
17. Snowmobile, cross country ski, dog sledding, ice skating and snowshoe trails
18. Playgrounds
19. Portions of parks or recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment
20. Archery ranges
21. Boat and watercraft launches
22. Lawn game courts, including lawn bowling, bocce and croquet courts
23. Splash pads

Along with allowing outdoor activities and amenities now, Ontario has also increased the outdoor gathering limit to five people from different households.

What is Ontario's reopening plan?

The new Ontario reopening plan has swapped the colour zones for a three-step framework that's based on vaccination rates in the province.

The first step is expected to happen in mid-June when 60% of adults have received their first vaccine dose. At that point, Ontario will increase the outdoor gathering limit to 10 people, open non-essential retailers at 15% capacity, and allow outdoor dining for up to four people per table.

The second step — which must come at least three weeks after the first step starts — will begin when 70% of adults have had their first dose and 20% have had their second and would increase gathering limits and retail capacities even further. Indoor gatherings will also be allowed with a cap of five people.

And finally, the third step — again coming at least three weeks after the second step — will take place when 70-80% of adults have had their first dose and 25% have had their second and will allow indoor dining, indoor gyms, indoor cinemas, indoor museums and art galleries to open.