High Park's cherry blossoms are in peak bloom

High Park's famed cherry trees are expected to reach "peak bloom" on Monday, and the city has restricted vehicle access to the park for the duration of the annual spring sensation.

Peak bloom, when roughly 70 per cent of the blossoms have opened, usually only lasts between four and 10 days, depending on the weather. Cool, calm conditions can extend the peak bloom period, while warmer, unsettled weather can shorten it, according to the High Park Nature Centre.

Tens of thousands of onlookers head to the park each year to admire the fleeting pink and white blossoms.

"To help manage the volume of visitors to High Park, vehicle access and parking inside will be restricted starting on April 22 for the duration of peak bloom," the city says, with the exception of TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles.

People hoping to access the park can take public transit, walk or cycle.

Those who do head to the park are asked to stay on paved pathways and trails, and refrain from climbing the cherry trees or removing blossoms.

The peak bloom period usually lasts between four and 10 days, depending on the weather. (Heather Waldron/CBC)

Many of the cherry blossom trees in High Park are roughly 60 years old. The first ones were a gift from the Japanese ambassador to Canada on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of the city accepting relocated Japanese Canadians following the Second World War.

If you can't make it to High Park, there are are more than a dozen other locations throughout Toronto where you can catch a glimpse of the blossoms, including:

• Broadacres Park.

• Cedar Ridge Park.

• Cedarvale Park.

• Edwards Garden.

• Exhibition Place.

• Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

• John P. Robarts Research Library.

• Trinity Bellwoods Park.

• University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

• Woodbine Park.

• York University.

A map of all the locations can be found here.