Toronto's High Park

Toronto's High Park

Within a city, trees are important not only for their aesthetic value, but also for their role in maintaining a healthy environment and atmosphere.

Among other things, they are vital to the absorption of carbon dioxide; the reduction of heat accumulated from buildings, pavement, roads, and vehicles; and the control of stormwater runoff.

Trees within a city on private and public lands are collectively referred to as the “urban forest”.

Toronto’s urban forest has a mixture of native and non-native tree species, with thousands of different cultivated varieties. Trees of different species and ages growing throughout the city, on streets, in parks, and on private property, reflect the trends and fashions in planting at different periods of the city’s history.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Spring in High Park. Its well drained acid sand supports prairies and savannah vegetation, characteristic of 4,000 years ago, when the area was warmer and drier.

The plant communities offer the opportunity to view many rare species of plants and wildflowers including Black Oak, Wild Lupine, Cup-plant and Sweet Flag.

Orange, yellow and brown flower (sunflower), close up.

Multicolored flower bush.Presented to the citizens by the Rotary Club of Toronto.

A magnifying glass isn’t necessary when exploring  natural spaces but it can help you get a closer look.Very brightly colored red flowers. Pink flowers, bush, close up.

The park contains Toronto’s largest pond and approximately 110 acres of remnant oak woodland communities, once common on the Great Lakes sand plains.

There is no provision for lighting on the nature trails. These trails are intended for daytime use only. 

There are different levels of difficulty: from Asphalt Path (easy, level terrain) to Woodchip Path (moderately slopped terrain) and Footpath (not maintained). Flowers white buttons - Pretty beige flower bush.

A fictional character with bright fuchsia hair and lips hidden behind the leaves.

The booklets which were developed by Toronto City Planning can help you uncover the broad diversity of spiders, birds, trees/shrubs, butterflies, fishes, mammals, reptiles and amphibians found in High Park and other Toronto’s parks.

Two loonies in Grenadier Pond.

The High Park administration recommends that you enjoy secluded areas in the company of friends.

You’ll be amazed at how many animals and rare plants you’ll see.

Keep your eyes open and listen carefully while exploring Toronto's Parks and Trails.

Sakura in winter. 

Nature in the City: You can also find an incredible Biodiversity Booklet Series available online and at Toronto Public Libraries. Flowers of sakura Purple blue flower (petunia), close up

High Park : Animal Paddocks, Baseball, Colborne Lodge, Dream Site, Fishing, Food Concession Grenadier Restaurant, Football, Hillside Gardens, Howard Tomb and Monument, Information Map, Lawn Bowling, Nature Trail/Foot Path, Outdoor Pool, Parking, Pedestrian path (paved), Picnic Areas, Playground, Road (vehicular access), Road (no vehicular access), Sculpture Symposium Site, Skating, Soccer, Stairs, Streetcar Stop, Subway Station, Summer Music Festival, Telephone, Tennis Court, Trackless Train Stop, Wading Pool, Washroom.For more information on area of the High Park history, inquire at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library. For more information on parks and parks programs, please call 416-392-1111.