With over one million visitors annually, High Park is the jewel of Toronto's park system. See below for some facts about Toronto's High Park.
- Centrally located at 1873 Bloor St W, the park spans 161 hectares (399 acres), providing a unique and unusual sense of wilderness within a major urban centre.
- The park, over one-third of which remains in a natural state, is home to many species of wildlife, including birds, fish and animals.
- Recognized as one of the most significant natural sites within the City of Toronto, the park contains an outstanding concentration of rare plant species, including woodland fern-leaf, cup plant, shrubby St. John's Wort, and the wild blue lupine.
- The oak savannahs in the park, form one of the most famous and admires aspects of the site. These savannahs are the remnants of the sand prairie system that once covered much of the Ontario landscape.
- Easily accessible by public transit, High Park offers year-round attractions and amentities, including historic Colborne Lodge and the Coach House, a volunteer built playground, animal paddocks, sports fields, an outdoor ice rink, and the beautifully landscaped Hillside Gardens.
- High Park is also home to the well-known Dream in High Park. This favorite open-air theatrical event has become a tradition for Torontonians and visitors alike, each summer.
QUICK LINKS TO HIGH PARK FEATURES
HIGH PARK MAP
FACILITIES & AMENITIES
JAMIE BELL ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
The Jamie Bell Adventure Playground is a one-of-a-kind, family meeting place. Inspired by the imagination and creativity of local community children, planning and design was underway for their "dream playground". In the spring of 1998, children working along side parents, teachers and volunteers the Adventure Playground was built, celebrating High Park's natural environment, social history and local architecture. In 1999, the playground was expanded, by adding the "Big Slide".
The Adventure Playground was an integral part of the High Park Master Plan with the goal of revitalizing family use of the park and increasing user safety. Through a successful partnership between the High Park Citizen's Advisory Committee, Toronto Parks & Recreation and Robert Leathers Architects, a firm specializing in community-built playgrounds, the project became a reality.
In 2003, the playground was aptly named in honour of Jamie Bell, who first raised the idea of a community-built playground in High Park and served as the General Co-ordinator of the High Park Adventure Committee. Jamie's hard work, commitment and dedication did not go unrecognized.
The playground is open year round, dawn to dusk and is unsupervised.
HILLSIDE GARDENS
These beautiful and elaborate gardens on the west-side of the park have been attracting gardening enthusiasts and amateur photographers since the 1950's. Although collectively called Hillside Gardens, there are actually three distinct areas: Hillside Gardens, the Hanging Gardens and the Sunken Gardens.
There is no Wedding Photography permitted at Hillside Gardens. For wedding photography information and City of Toronto locations, please call 416-392-8188.
GRENADIER POND
One of the most picturesque areas in the park, Grenadier Pond attracts visitors year round. Enjoy a walk or a bicycle ride along the shoreline and enjoy the view.
During the summer months, it is a favourite fishing spot, however no boats are permitted on Grenadier Pond . Anglers must have a current Ontario Resident's Anglers License and observe sport fishing regulations. For more information, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at 416-314-2000.
Ice skating is not permitted on Grenadier Pond.
TRACKLESS TRAIN
One of the best ways to tour High Park is on the trackless train. The 25-minute scenic ride slowly weaves through the park, picking up other passengers along the way. The train operates on a seasonable basis and tickets can be purchased from the train operator.
Schedule
The trackless train operates on a seasonable basis (weather permitting), consisting of a 25- minute round trip ride around the park, including one stop-over privilege.
April 1st to April 30th & September 11Th to October 31st
Weekends Only. The train runs approximately every 25 minutes from 10:30 am to dusk.
May 1st to September 10th
Weekdays and Weekends. The train runs approximately every 25 minutes from 10:30 am to dusk.
Fares
- Adults - $4.00 per person
- Children & Older Adults (60 yrs+) - $3.00 per person
The High Park Trackless Train is operated under license to: Carla Construction and Maintenance Limited. For further information or special group tours, please call
647-438-0077.
HIGH PARK ZOO
Located on Deer Pen Road, the animal paddocks have always been one of the most popular attractions, dating back to 1890 when deer were kept in High Park. Today, you will find domestic and exotic species including bison, llamas, peacocks, deer, highland cattle and sheep. Please do not feed the animals! They are on veteranarian supervised diets and increased public feeding leads to ilness and suffering.
Open year round to visitors from 7:00 am to dusk .
CYCLING IN HIGH PARK
Cycling is permitted in High Park on paved roadways only .
WALKING NATURE/TRAILS
The best way to experience High Park is on foot! The Spring Creek and West Ravine nature trails take you through the natural forest where you'll see a variety of wildlife and native plants and trees. All trails are clearly marked. Walking tours are hosted by the High Park Citizen's Advisory Committee www.highpark.org throughout the year.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
During the winter months cross-country skiing is permitted anywhere in the park, however no trail grooming is provided.
FOREST SCHOOL
The Ontario Foundation for Visually Impaired Children (OFVIC) has operated out of the High Park Forest School since it was established in 1975. OFVIC is a non-profit charitable organization governed by a Board of Directors.
With in the school, OFVIC operates a daily group program, for children, aged 2-5 years of age who have blindness or visual impairment and are residents of Toronto. OFVIC also provides a home and community based consultation service to children from birth to 5 years of age, and their families.
The program emphasis is placed on the unique teaching strategies and learning styles of young children with visual impairments, in order to facilitate their over-all development, environmental access and interactions with their family and community.
- Contact Person: April Cornell, Executive Director
- Mailing Address:
- O.F.V.I.C., P.O. Box 1116,
Postal Station D, Toronto, ON, M6P 3K2
- Telephone Number: 416-767-5977
SPORTS FIELDS AND PERMITS
- Baseball/Softball Diamonds: There are 3 baseball diamonds located on the west-side of Colborne Lodge Drive. One diamond is designated as a little-league baseball diamond and home of the High Park Baseball Association.
- Soccer Fields: There are 2 located on the west-side of Colborne Lodge Drive.
Permits for outdoor sports fields must be obtained from Parks, Forestry & Recreation, through the Customer Service Section, Etobicoke City Hall, 399 The West Mall, Toronto, Ontario, M9C 2Y2.
Telephone: 416-394-5595.
TENNIS COURTS
3 public courts are located on the east-side of Colborne Lodge Drive, and 3 public courts on the artificial ice rink surface, opposite the outdoor swimming pool.
The Howard Park Tennis Club on Parkside Drive, offers private memberships, and limited public hours. For more information please call 416-769-5600.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
The outdoor pool is open during summer months, mid-June to Labour Day. For dates and hours of operation click here . (links to Swimming section of Spring/Summer - Toronto Fun Guide)
OUTDOOR ARTIFICIAL ICE RINK
The outdoor artificial ice rink open during the winter months, provides opportunities for pleasure skating, shinny hockey and permit groups. For dates and hours of operation click here . (links to Skating section of Fall/Winter - Toronto Fun Guide)
PICNIC AREAS & PERMITS
High Park offers a total of 18 designated picnic areas for pre-booking. If you wish to have a picnic for 25 or more people you are required to purchase a picnic permit. Picnic permits are $72.61 (tax included) and can be booked from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday by calling 416-392-8188 . Picnic permits are booked on a first come, first served basis.
No charcoal barbecue's please!
ALLOTMENT GARDENS
Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation offers garden plots for community members to plant vegetables or flowers. The rental fee for each garden plot is $53.50 per year.
PARKING
Parking is available in designated parking areas only, at no charge . Parking between 1:00 am and 6:00 am is prohibited. Between May 1 st and October 1 st vehicles are restricted from certain areas of the park.
WASHROOMS
There are 7 public washroom facilities operated seasonally in High Park, including those available at the Grenadier Teahouse (1873 Bloor St. W) and Café.
- April 15 to October 15 - 8:00 am to dusk, all locations
- October 16 to April 14 - 8:00 am to dusk, The Chess House at the Bloor Street entrance, Grenadier Pond, and Parkside Drive & High Park Boulevard entrance.
SUMMER ACCESS
Please be advised that on Sundays and Statutory Holidays between May 1 and October 1, vehicles can only enter from the Bloor Street Entrance.
People arriving for picnics in the designated picnic sites off Parkside Drive need to be aware of this information. A security guard is posted at the Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive. If you have a permit for Picnic Sites 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, you can present your permit to the security guard and be allowed to drive one vehicle to the parking area on Deer Pen Road. No vehicles can be operated off road for any reason or park along the roadways.
PROJECTS / INITIATIVES
High Park is a City of Toronto landmark. To preserve its beauty and natural environment Toronto Parks and Recreation has proposed a series of restoration strategies. Partnering with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources significant steps have been taken to preserve oak woodlands, shoreline rehabilitation around Grenadier Pond, small scale prescribed burns and native plant production.
Toronto Parks and Recreation's Urban Forestry section plays a key role in the restoration of High Park, additional information can be found at www.toronto.ca/trees/ravines.htm
