News Release: April 30, 2025 - Cherry blossom (Sakura) peak bloom expected later this week
Traveling to High Park
- Dedicated bike lanes are available on Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive.
- West Road and portions of Colborne Lodge Drive are dedicated active transportation routes where visitor vehicles are not permitted at any time.
- Bicycle parking can be found throughout the park and near some park buildings. Please do not lock bicycles to other structures or trees.
- Bike Share Toronto operates 10 stations within and around the park including at main entrances and facilities. Visit Bike Share Toronto for a system map.
- People cycling must obey applicable by-laws including the maximum speed limit of 20km/hr on park roads and all traffic signs. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians and people using mobility devices at designated crossing areas and on multi-use trails.
- People cycling are reminded to be respectful, safe and to share the road with other park visitors and that authorized motor vehicles including transit, emergency and operational vehicles.
Public Transit
- The TTC operates several bus, streetcar and subway routes that connect directly to High Park.
- The 203 High Park bus provides seasonal service within High Park, operating on weekends and holidays from mid-June to Labour Day. The 203 High Park bus connects to High Park Station and multiple stops within the park.
- The 506 Carlton Streetcar, the 80 Queensway Bus, and the 508 Lake Shore Streetcar provide service seven days a week with stops in close proximity to many of the park’s main destinations.
Wheel-Trans service in High Park is available seven days a week and holidays
Driving & Parking
- Visitor vehicles are permitted within High Park from Monday to Friday
- The main entrance for visitor vehicles is at Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard.
- The main exit for visitor vehicles is at Bloor Street West and High Park Avenue . Visitor vehicles may not enter at this location.
- Vehicle access to the Children’s Garden and Colborne Lodge via the Queensway is provided Monday to Friday. This location does not provide access through the park.
- Authorized vehicles, such as TTC, emergency services and operational vehicles are permitted on all park roads at all times.
- Visitor vehicles are not permitted on West Road and portions of Colborne Lodge Drive south of Grenadier Café at all times.
- There are 276 vehicle parking spaces within High Park:
- 142 parking spaces are available at Grenadier Café parking lot from Monday to Friday
- 79 parking spaces are available at the High Park Zoo parking lot from Monday to Friday
- 34 parallel parking spaces are available along the east side of Colborne Lodge Drive from Monday to Friday
- 21 parking spaces are available at Spring Road Parking Lot, seven days a week
- Over 1200 additional parking spaces are located within 800 metres of High Park through nearby Green P and Precise ParkLink parking lots. On-street parking is available along Bloor Street West and Parkside Drive.
- All the roads are fire access routes so vehicles will be tagged by parking enforcement.
- 20 km/hr speed limit is enforced
Activities
- High Park outdoor Artificial Ice Rink
- High Park outdoor swimming pool
- Tennis courts
- Sports fields (3 baseball diamonds, 2 soccer fields)
- Walking nature trails
Experience High Park on foot. The Spring Creek and West Ravine nature trails take you through the natural forest on clearly marked paths where you’ll see a variety of wildlife and native plants and trees. - Cross Country Skiing
During the winter months, cross-country skiing is permitted anywhere in the park. Note that no trail grooming is provided
Cherry Trees in High Park
The original Japanese cherry trees (Prunus 'Sakura') in High Park are located on the hill to the south and west of the Grenadier Restaurant that leads down to Grenadier Pond. These trees are more than 40 years old and have not bloomed well in recent years, as they are well past their prime and most are dying.
The trees were donated by the Japanese consulate, and the trees were grown in Ontario, in the Guelph area.
The Japanese Consul General has donated new young trees which are planted in the same areas and when mature will provide spectacular blooms.
The cherry trees in High Park usually bloom the first week of May, but anything horticultural is dependent on the weather and is not confined to a specific date. If the weather is warm and the older trees bloom, they will only last a few days. Information on High Park bloom times is available on the High Park Nature Centre website .
Cherry Blossoms in the City of Toronto
BBQs
High Park does not have any BBQs. You cannot bring your own BBQ into a City park.
Grenadier Pond
No watercraft of any kind (canoes, kayaks, etc.) are permitted in Grenadier Pond.
High Park Movement Strategy
The High Park Movement Strategy was launched in 2021 to rethink the travel network serving High Park in the context of the city’s growing population, changing travel patterns, and the impacts of COVID-19. The goal of the study was to improve mobility within the park, while prioritizing safety, accessibility and the park’s environment.
City Council approved the High Park Movement Strategy in May 2023 and implementation of travel network changes began in August 2023.
For more information on the High Park Movements Strategy including the study process, consultation, and implementation approach please visit the project website at www.toronto.ca/highparkmove
High Park remains closed to visitor vehicles on public holidays and weekends.
The vehicle closure begins Friday night at approximately 11 p.m. and ends Monday morning at approximately 7 a.m. Limited street parking is available on Bloor Street.
Washrooms
There are 7 public washrooms and 16 drinking water sources (drinking fountains, bottle filling stations and dog fountains) operated seasonally in High Park, including washrooms available at The Grenadier Café (200 Parkside Drive).
- May to October: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., all locations
- November to April: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., year-round locations only
Washroom and drinking water source status and locations can be found at toronto.ca/parkwashrooms.
If you have concerns about any of the City-operated facilities at High Park, please contact parks@toronto.ca.
Lost Items
You may want to try contacting the Grenadier Cafe as they have the longest daily operating hours in the park.
Related Information:
