Witness the Total Solar Eclipse with Mayor Meed Ward & Members of Council at Spencer Smith Park

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*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — March 20, 2024 — Residents are invited to join Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Members of Council at Spencer Smith Park on the afternoon of Monday, April 8 to witness the total solar eclipse.The total solar eclipse, where the moon completely covers the sun, will be visible throughout Burlington offering a unique opportunity to observe this natural wonder. The eclipse will begin at 2:04 p.m. and last until 4:31 p.m. The moon will fully cover the sun around 3:18 p.m. resulting in a brief period of darkness.Enjoy the Eclipse Safely with Proper Eye ProtectionIt is not safe to look at the sun without eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes. Looking at even a small sliver before or after the eclipse without eye protection can be harmful to your vision. Glasses with specialized filters adhering to the ISO 12312-2 international standard can be worn to prevent eye damage. Glasses should be inspected for wrinkles or scratches ahead of use and should not be used if damaged or scratched. Ensure that eclipse glasses fully cover your field of vision. Children should be supervised during the eclipse as they may not fully comprehend the risks involved. For further safety tips, visit www.burlington.ca/solareclipse or review the Ministry of Health 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Safety Messages.To help prepare spectators for this event, the City has partnered with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University to distribute eclipse glasses for free on the day of the event, while supplies last.Solar viewing glasses are also available for free at the Tourism Burlington Visitor Centre, while supplies last.

"This is a rare natural marvel that is absolutely outstanding and indescribable with many of us never getting the chance to experience it – and this year, it’s in our backyard. We know that many members of our community will likely come down to Spencer Smith Park anyways to get as clear a view of the eclipse as possible and by having the City host an event there, we can also tie in some safety measures. Knowing how to properly protect yourself if you’re going to be outside during a total eclipse is very important in ensuring the safety of residents. I would like to thank our City staff for organizing this event and managing to secure tens of thousands of safety glasses for distribution so that we can experience the solar eclipse safely and together as a community." -- Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward"I am excited to welcome residents to Spencer Smith Park for the upcoming total solar eclipse. Spencer Smith Park has always been a great gathering place for our community and we’re excited to add the solar eclipse to the exciting celebrations taking place here. Witnessing the solar eclipse at our downtown park not only offers a great location for optimal viewing but also fosters a sense of togetherness and community among our residents." -- Emilie Cote, Director of Recreation, Community & Culture, City of Burlington

Event Details:

  • Date: Monday, April 8
  • Time: 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Glasses will be handed out by City staff beginning at 11 a.m.
    • Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will share welcoming remarks at 3 p.m.
    • Location: Spencer Smith Park
    • Attendees: Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Members of Council

Parking InformationResidents are encouraged to leave extra time for travel. Information about parking in downtown Burlington is available at: burlington.ca/downtownparkingCarpooling and public transportation are encouraged to minimize traffic congestion.Motorists are reminded to drive with extra caution. With higher-than-normal volumes of visitors in the downtown core on April 8, motorists should consider taking alternate routes around downtown to avoid traffic delays. If driving, have headlights turned on for entire duration of the eclipse.A brief recess will take place during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 8. The meeting will recess at 2:30 p.m. and reconvene at 3:45 p.m.Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.Links and Resources:

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