Despite cautions and parking-lot closures, vista-seekers trekked to the Scarborough bluffs by the hundreds this weekend, even as Toronto’s COVID-19 numbers kept climbing.

While many Torontonians got the message to stay home, Bluffer’s Park was one of the city’s “problem locations” in an enforcement blitz that saw bylaw officers and police fan out across the city to educate and enforce rules relating to COVID-19 this weekend. On Saturday, 800 vehicles were turned away from the park.

Councillor Gary Crawford (Scarborough-Southwest) understands the appeal of the park — the steep drive down the hill to a “different world” removed from the city, the peaceful lake views, the stunning bluffs. Still, he wants everyone to stay away.

For nearly a month, discouraging people “just hasn’t worked,” he said. When the city closed parking lots, people parked in fire routes, and jammed the side streets. Many people come from outside the city, and once they arrive “they want to enjoy it,” no matter the deterrent.

Another problem spot this weekend was High Park, where 140 vehicles were turned away on Saturday. In a release on Sunday, the city noted that feedback from front line city staff was generally encouraging, with “many people” at the parks following the rules, keeping physical distance from others and travelling in small groups from the same household. There were 141 complaints called in to 311 about unsafe behaviour at parks on Saturday. That same day, bylaw officers and police spoke with 780 people about public-health recommendations and closures and gave 373 others verbal warnings.

Police issued nine tickets as part of the blitz, and city bylaw officers issued one ticket related to use of park amenities, and another five to non-essential businesses still operating, in violation of provincial orders.

“The City thanks the vast majority of people who are doing the right thing by staying home as much as possible and keeping their distance from others in public,” read the Sunday update.

Toronto’s city parks are not closed, but park amenities, including playgrounds and parking lots are, and physical distancing of two metres at parks and public squares is being enforced through a new city emergency order.

For weeks, as COVID-19 case numbers have climbed, Bluffer’s Park has been a trouble spot, Crawford said. On March 30, he posted a warning on his Facebook page: “Time is up. The City has been patient, but we are done. Do not go to Bluffer’s Park, you will be fined $750.00. We are not kidding this time. Please stay away.”

His posts about the park generated more buzz than any other in his near-decade of being a city councillor. While Crawford said that the park was closed, some people noted that didn’t square with the city’s messaging about parks remaining open with certain restrictions in place, and others said it didn’t matter either way, that people should just stay away. Speaking to the Star, Crawford noted that a provincial order closing beaches is also in effect — and a “big component” of the park is beachfront.

“The City supports the Councillor’s message that people should not set out to the park but technically green spaces are not closed,” a city spokesperson wrote in an email Sunday night.

Crawford said that perhaps it was his assumption the park was closed after discussions with park staff and police, who had been posted at the entrance turning people away. Regardless, he said, he was trying to convey a strong message for the public not to go there. “It was such an emergency,” he said.

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“If it’s an error, it’s for the best of intentions,” he said, adding that he has no qualms if his message deters crowds. “Just don’t go down there.”

Toronto Public Health said that of the 1,232 cases of COVID-19 in the city, 1,026 cases are confirmed, 206 are probable, 69 people have recovered, 140 are in hospital, with 58 in intensive care.