High Park: Discovery Walks

Toronto High Park

Welcome to one of Toronto’s largest and best known parks. High Park contains 399 acres of rolling hills, creeks, woodlands, ravines and one of the City’s largest ponds, Grenadier Pond.

High Park exists today as a result of the foresight and generosity of the original owner of the park’s central portion, John Howard, a former City Surveyor and Architect and his wife, Jemima. In 1873, Howard deeded the land to the City of Toronto, “to be forever held as a public park for the free use and enjoyment of the people of Toronto”. Their house, Colborne Lodge, now a public museum still stands in the south end of the park.

Two loonies in High Park. Photo: Elena

The Oak Woodland Communities of High Park

High Park contains approximately 110 acres of remnant oak woodland communities which were one segment on the sand plains of the Great Lakes. Today less than 0,01 percent of these oak woodland remain in southern Ontario. The large Black Oak trees (Quercus velutina) and many other plants, wildflowers, birds and insects dependent on these communities for their habitat are registered to be provincially rare by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Black Oak, found on dry woody sites throughout the southern United States, is at the northern limit of its natural distribution in High Park. Extensive development of the Great Lakes region has all but eliminated these rare and endangered oak woodland communities.

Western Ravines and Beaches: Follow scenic footpaths and a beach boardwalk. Experience natural ponds and marshes, oak woodlands and lakeshore parks.

Community involvement

The involvement of park users and residents living near the High Park has been an important part of the protection and management of High Park. The City of Toronto created the High Park Citizens Advisory Council (HPCAC) in 1993. This group of interested citizens volunteers their time to help make High Park a better place for all. The purpose of the group is to provide Toronto Parks and Recreation Division with an ongoing source of advice and assistance in all matters concerning High Park.

Volunteers from this committee are involved in a number of activities including the restoration of native park vegetation, educational programs on park ecosystems for children, park nature walks, public safety and transportation. Everyone is invited to obtain more information about such activities or to become involved, for this visit their web site at highpark.org.

One of Metropolitan Toronto`s most significant natural areas, High Park is noteworthy for its regionally rare vegetation and associated wildlife.

Keep in Mind

A little courtesy can go a long way. Each year, over one million people visit High Park. Consider the comfort of others when you use the park and tread softly in the natural areas. Exploring the ravine slopes by foot or mountain bicycle destroys plants and their roots, which hold soil in place, and leaves the slopes prone to collapse from rainfall. In order to preserve these fragile and irreplaceable environments, pleas follow these simple rules so that their unique beauty may be enjoyed by generations to come:

• Please stay on the main trails (especially in the ravine areas)
• Cycle only on the paved roadways
• Removal of any material in prohibited (wood, leaves, flowers, acorns, seeds, fungi, etc.)
• Keep your dog on a leash (except in designated off-leash areas)
• Put your litter in bins or take it with you.

Enjoy the park, but be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. Keep the park safe for yourself and others. Let the authorities know about any suspicious activity. Dial 911 for emergency assistance or call the Toronto Police at 416-808-2222. Contact Toronto Parks at 416-392-1111 or 416-392-7251.

High Park Sakura in Spring. Enjoy your walk and come back soon. Photo: Elena

Public Transit

By Subway the closest stations are High Park at High Park Avenue and Bloor Street West, and Keele at Parkside Drive and Bloor Street West on the Bloor-Danforth Line.

By Streetcar: Route 506 Carlton streetcars enter the park at the junction of Parkside Drive and Howard Park Avenue (24 hours a day).

Route 501 Queen streetcars, south of the park along the Queensway at Parkside Drive, Colborne Drive and Ellis Avenue (24 hours a day).

High Park: Discovery Walks

Western Ravines and Beaches

Follow scenic footpaths and a beach boardwalk. Experience natural ponds and marshes, oak woodlands and lakeshore parks.

One of Metropolitan Toronto’s most significant and natural areas, High Park is noteworthy for the regionally rare vegetation and associated wildlife.

The park contains Toronto’s largest pond and approximately 110 acres of remnant oak woodland communities, once common on the Great Lakes sand plains. Its well drained acid sand supports prairies and savannah vegetation, characteristic of 4,000 years ago, when the area was warmer and drier.

The Beach. The High Park contains Toronto’s largest pond. Photo: Elena

The City of Toronto has established many parks facilities over the past years, including Hillside Gardens, a swimming pool, tennis courts, field houses and an outdoor ice rink.

For more information on area history, inquire at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library. For more information on parks and parks programs please call 416-192-1111.

Cherry in blossom. Cherry in the park. Photo: Elena

High Park: West Ravine Nature Trails

On the West Ravine Nature Trails of the High Park you will see examples of remnant oak woodland communities on the upland slopes and locally significant wetland communities within and surrounding Grenadier Pond.

These plant communities offer the opportunity to view many rare species of plants and wildflowers including Black Oak, Wild Lupine, Cup-plant and Sweet Flag. They also provide habitat for wildlife including birds, animals, fish and insects.

There is no provision for lighting on the nature trails. These trails are intended for daytime use only. The High Park administration recommends that you enjoy secluded areas in the company of friends.

There are different levels of difficulty: from Asphalt Path (easy, level terrain) to Woodchip Path (moderately slopped terrain) and Footpath (not maintained).

Grenadier Pond. Photo: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Please help the High Park maintain its unique natural resources by observing the following guidelines:

Grenadier Pond. Photo by Elena

• Stay on the designated trails; these trails are covered with wood chips
• Leave plants and wildlife for others to enjoy
• Do not ride bicycles through the nature trails
• Put litter in the bins provided.

Sakura in blossom in High Park. Photo: Elena

Please help the High Park maintain its unique natural resources by observing the following guidelines: Stay on the designated trails; these trails are covered with wood chips. Leave plants and wildlife for others to enjoy. Do not ride bicycles through the nature trails. Put litter in the bins provided.