Kingston, Ont. getting ready for total solar eclipse

The city of Kingston, Ont. is gearing up to host thousands of visitors for its first total solar eclipse in nearly 700 years.

“For a few minutes in the afternoon, we will be in the path of totality, which means the moon will be perfectly aligned between the earth and the sun, blocking out the sun’s rays entirely,” wrote city officials in a media release. “Kingston won’t be in the path of totality again until the year 2399, so we won’t let this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event pass us by!”

The total solar eclipse will begin in Kingston at about 2:09 p.m. on April 8 and will reach maximum coverage by the moon at 3:23 p.m. The full cycle of the eclipse will conclude at 4:35 p.m.

“We expect to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world to Kingston for this spectacular celestial experience,” wrote city officials. “Traffic will be significant and we recommend free public transit and active transportation to get around Kingston that day.”

City officials advise all residents and visitors to anticipate significant road delays in the hours before and after the eclipse. They also say due to the number of visitors, Total Eclipse in the Park will be held at Grass Creek Park from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 8.

City officials say the following locations will offer access to washrooms, and Queen’s Eclipse Ambassadors will be on site to answer questions and give safety tips:

• Lake Ontario Park – 920 King St. West
• INVISTA Centre (south field) – 1350 Gardiners Rd.
• Cataraqui Kinsmen Arena – 1030 Sunnyside Rd.
• Kingston East Community Centre (Grenadier Park) – 779 Hwy 15
• Lion’s Civic Gardens/Isabel Turner Library – 935 Gardiners Rd. (parking at Cataraqui Centre)
• LaSalle Secondary School – 773 Hwy. 15
• Maple Elementary School – 529 St. Martha St.
• Frontenac Secondary School – 1789 Bath Rd.
• Bayridge Secondary School – 1059 Taylor Kidd Blvd.

For a complete list of activities, you can check out the city’s website.