About the 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.
Getting to High Park
Driving
- 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 seasonal
- Access is available seven days a week from October 1 to March 31
- Access Monday to Friday only from April 1 to September 30.
- 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.
Parking
- There are 276 vehicle parking spaces within High Park:
- 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
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, Keele 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 on weekdays, weekends and holidays. Information on service schedules and locations can be found on the Wheel-Trans website or by calling the Wheel-Trans Reservation line at 416-393-4222.
Bicycle
- All park entrances and exits remain open to people cycling.
- Bicycles are permitted on all roadways and paved trails within 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.
Walking
- All park entrances and exits remain open to pedestrians
- Pedestrians are reminded to please stick to sidewalks and formal trails to help protect sensitive natural areas.
- Please be advised that the park has steep grades in some areas and unpaved trails are not maintained in winter.
- There are six paved trails and/or sidewalk entrances to High Park, from:
Implementation Phases
- The Council-approved High Park Movement Strategy is being implemented in phases.
- The first phase of implementation was completed in Summer 2023 and included continued weekend and holiday road closures, reductions in vehicle parking spaces, improvements to pedestrian crossing zones, and installation of protected bike lanes.
- The next phase of implementation will focus on larger infrastructure and program changes including roadway rebalancing and sidewalk widening, a new shuttle service, traffic calming measures, and consideration of paid parking. This work will require further design and costing and will be supported by continued community engagement.
- Future infrastructure changes will be informed by AODA and Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines standards as well as applicable environmental policies that limit development in ecologically sensitive areas.
- Staff will be monitoring implementation and will be reporting on further travel network changes before 2027, including the potential for further road closures once key conditions are met.
- To stay up to date on ongoing implementation of the HPMS, please visit the HPMS website and subscribe to e-updates .
Why are these change being made?
- Travel network changes were developed through the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS), a City-led study that was launched in 2021.
- The goal of the HPMS was to improve the travel network to better serve park users and the surrounding community, while prioritizing improvements to safety, accessibility and the park's natural environment.
- City Council adopted the recommendations of the High Park Movement Strategy with amendments in May 2023. More information on the Council decisions is available online: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE3.7
- More information on the HPMS study process including staff and consultant reports, and engagement activities is available online at: www.toronto.ca/highparkmove.
