TOPS Accessibility Features
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) strives to make all of its screenings accessible to our community members. Accessibility is an ongoing commitment and we work to have practices and policies in place that create an accessible and safe screening environment within shared public spaces. On this page you can find information about the accessibility features at each of our screenings.
If you would like to inquire with our production team about how we can support you, please email accessibility@topictureshow.com (please allow 24-72 hours during business days for a response within the programming season). All feedback will be reviewed by a member of the festival production management team.
All short and feature films with dialogue are screened with open captions, unless specifically noted. At this time, we cannot provide ASL interpretation for opening remarks and announcements, or attendant care. Pertinent information about the film programme (including content advisories) will appear on screen before showtime, and detailed aloud during the programmer’s introduction. In 2026, select screenings will also feature optional audio description (details to be announced at topictureshow.com/audio ahead of the festival season).
All events are held outdoors and are free and open to the public (we solicit and welcome donations). All current TOPS venues offer well-lit entrances from street access, ensuring that audiences feel safe arriving and leaving our venues (though please remember that the parks become quiet shortly after the screenings conclude).
Patrons are asked to bring their own blankets and chairs, and seating is in the grass on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of chairs are set up for patrons needing seating, but please note that TOPS events are attended beyond capacity and all seating reaches capacity long before showtime. All venues accommodate mobility devices and strollers. We count on our community members to be kind and attentive to one another.
Food and snacks are available for purchase at the TOPS tent and from partnered food vendors. Bottled water is sold at all screening events but all patrons are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles (most parks have water fountains and/or refilling stations). Information on the types of food available from vendors can be found on each screening’s Instagram post on the day of the screening.
We are committed to training all staff and volunteers in accessible customer service, other Ontario’s accessibility standards and aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code that relate to persons with disabilities.
VENUE aCCESSIBILITY fEATURES
Christie Pits Park
Getting There
The screening location at Christie Pits Park is located a 2-minute walk west of Christie subway station. The street address is 750 Bloor St West. Please note that Ossington and Bathurst Stations are the closest accessible subway stations to Christie Pits Park.
Wheel-Trans arrival details: The event entrance is located near 5 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G 3B1, directly across from TTC Christie Station, and can be accessed at the corner of Christie St and Bloor St. Arriving guests are welcome to connect with a TOPS staff member, who can be identified by wearing a lanyard and found near the paved path at the Bloor & Christie corner in the park, if they’d like assistance navigating the screening area. The screening area is by the covered pavilion in the near centre of Christie Pits Park, making use of the hill and flat area in the southern portion of the park, across from the TTC Christie Station.
Venue Amenities
Screenings are held in the natural amphitheatre formed by the park’s perimeter. The screen is located at the bottom of the hill near the picnic shelter, and patrons are invited to set up their blankets on the grassy hill. At the top of the hill there is a flat gravel path and two lookouts with a concrete pad - these flat areas are well suited for folding chairs and mobility devices and afford a very good view.
Two gendered public washrooms are available behind the screen. These washrooms are accessible via a steep paved path from the top of the hill. TOPS does not have control over public park restroom facilities.
There are trees on the east side of the screening location and at the top of the hill that can provide some shade.
There is a water bottle filling station near the splash park towards the washrooms.
Corktown common
Getting There
Corktown Common Park is accessible via the 501/502 Queen 503/504 King streetcars. The screening venue is located near the intersection of Bayview Ave and Mill Street, and is a 6 to 7-minute walk from streetcar stops at Queen St E & River Ave (501/502), King St. East & River Ave (503/504B), or Cherry St & Front St E (504A).
Wheel-Trans arrival details: The event entrance is located at 155 Bayview Ave, and can be accessed at the corner of Bayview Ave and Mill St. Arriving guests are welcome to connect with a TOPS staff member, who can be identified by wearing a lanyard and found near the event entrance, if they’d like assistance navigating the screening area. The event takes place at the open south field within Corktown Common.
Venue Amenities
The screen is set up on the flat grassy open field at the south end of the park with no trees except those surrounding the area (the park affords many areas for shade beyond the immediate screening location).
Two wheel-chair accessible, single-stall, gender-neutral washrooms are accessible via a sidewalk that follows the edge of the park and leads up a gentle slope.
There is a water bottle filling station located near the gender neutral washrooms. TOPS does not have control over public park restroom facilities.
Bell Manor Park
Getting There
The screening location at Bell Manor Park is TTC accessible via the 66 Prince Edward bus, a 5 minute walk from the Berry Rd & Park Lawn Rd stop. The 66 Prince Edward bus can be boarded at Old Mill subway station on Line 2 or at the Humber Loop via the 501 Queen Streetcar. The street address is 1 Bayside Ln. Free public parking may be available at the Park Lawn Outdoor Pool (330 Park Lawn Rd) on a first-come basis.
Wheel-Trans arrival details: The event entrance is located at 1 Bayside Lane, and can be accessed at the corner of Bayside Lane and Bell Manor Drive. Arriving guests are welcome to connect with a TOPS staff member, who can be identified by wearing a lanyard and found at the TOPS tent (up the slightly inclined path leading into the park), if they’d like assistance navigating the screening area. The event takes place at the southern open end of the park, next to the community garden and across from the splash pad area.
Venue Amenities
The screening area is flat, grassy and open, with many opportunities for shade along the sides and at the north end of this area with a view of the screen. There are paved paths throughout the park.
There are no permanent washrooms at Bell Manor, though gender-neutral / universal portable restrooms will be installed for our screening events (including one wheelchair accessible washroom).
Bell Manor Park now has a water fountain, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own refillable bottles. Bubbly water and soda pop will be available for sale at this venue.