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 have any questions, or suggestions for further improvements to our accessibility features or communications, please email accessibility@topictureshow.com. All feedback will be reviewed by the Executive Director and/or the Head of Operations, as applicable. Customers can expect to receive a response from a member of the TOPS team within two weeks during the public programming season.
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 2024, select screenings will also feature optional audio description for individuals to listen to through their own earpieces and devices (details and user instructions can be found at topictureshow.com/audio).
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 all seating is first-come, first-served. 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 not sold at screening events where water fountains are available, and 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 Film Festival
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.
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.
Fort York
Getting There
Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd) is TTC accessible via the 511 Bathurst and 509 Exhibition streetcars, or the 63 Ossington and 121 Fort York-Esplanade bus routes. The screening venue is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Fleet Street & Fort York Blvd TTC stop. When patrons arrive at Fort York, you can access the screening area (inside the “walled fort”) either by walking up a flight of stairs with approximately 30 steps, or up a gentle paved slope that loops around the west side of the visitor centre through the parking lot.
The entrance to the event gates is closest to 100 Garrison Road. For patrons with accessibility needs, a small parking area (subject to availability) is located at 100 Garrison Rd (outside the Fort walls and closest to the venue area). Please note that all other patrons should use parking lots located in the area, such as 250 Fort York Blvd (Green P Carpark 266) and 800 Fleet St (Green P Carpark 271).
Wheel-Trans Arrival details: The event is located inside the “Walled Fort” at Fort York National Historic Site. The event entrance gate can be accessed at 100 Garrison Road, where a paved path leads into the fort towards the screening area (the screening area and other venue amenities are a short walk past the event gate, followed on a flat, paved path). Upon arrival to the event entrance gate, guests are welcome to connect with a TOPS staff member, who can be identified by wearing a lanyard and found at the event gate, if they’d like assistance navigating the screening area.
Venue Amenities
There is a wide paved path that leads into Fort York and near the screen. The screen is set up on a flat grassy open field with no trees.
There is not a functioning water fountain at this venue, at this time.
Gendered washrooms are located just inside the entrance of the walled fort. These feature accessible stalls, but have a somewhat narrow entrance (69" h x 29" w) to the facilities (the washroom building is part of a 200-year-old site).
An alternate accessible and gender-universal restroom is located in the Blue Barracks, and can be accessed by a stairwell, or by a key-operated lift (32” wide x 48” deep) with support from Fort York venue personnel. Please contact TOPS at accessibility@topictureshow.com in advance of your visit if you anticipate needing increased accessibility support.
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. 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.