CONTENTS
Hiking Trails
Introducing High Park
Discovering High Park
Bicycle Lanes
Trackless Train Routes
Dog Off-leash Area
Points of Interest
Activities
Gardens
Picnic Areas
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Introducing High Park
High Park is one of Toronto’s oldest and historic landmarks that presents the most significant natural areas in Toronto. It is located in the heart of Toronto and provides a unique experiences to many visitors. High Park is a mixed recreational and natural park, with sporting facilities, cultural facilities, educational facilities, gardens and zoo. It is especially known for its rare vegetation and associated wildlife. One third of the park remains in a natural state, with a rare oak savannah ecology.
High Park started open for public visitors in 1876. Before, the land was privately owned by John George Howard (1803-1890), one of Toronto’s first architects as well as a City Engineer and Surveyor. He donated his property of High Park to the City of Toronto for use as a “Public Park for the free use benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of the City of Toronto forever.” High Park was named because of its height and commanding view over Humber Bay in Lake Ontario.
Enjoy exploring and experiencing the jewel of Toronto.
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Discovering High Park
Nature Reserve Zone(Area of Natural and
Scientific Interest)
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Natural Envrionment Zone
High Quality Savannah Area
Before European settlement, Southern Ontario was once covered with forest and High Park was part of a unique natural ecosystem called an oak savannah or oak woodland. About one third of the park’s natural environment consists of nationally rare oak savannah, an open, park-like landscape that contains widely spaced black oaks, and rich variety of prairie grasses and wildflowers, which can be still found in High Park today.
Oak savannahs were never abundant in Canada, but now that so few of the original sites remain, they have become one of the rare ecosystem types in the country. Because of their extreme rarity, savannahs should be considered priority habitats for protection, restoration and maintenance.
Nature Reserve Zone(Area of Natural and
Scientific Interest)
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Hiking Trails
Paved Trails
Rough Trails
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
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Main Road
Explore the rough but beautiful hiking trails on foot! The Spring Creek and West Ravine nature trails will lead you to the paradise that is totally different than what you experienced in the city’s forest of buildings.
On the West Ravine Nature Trails you will see examples of remnant oak woodland communities on the upland slopes and locally significant wetland communities within and surround Grenadier Pond.
These plant communities offer the opportunity to view many rare species of plants and wildflowers including Black Oak and Wild Lupine, which they also provide habitat for wildlife.
While you are enjoying the trails please stay in designate trails and do not ride bicycles through the nature trails.
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Bicycle Lanes
Paved Trails
Dedicated Bicycle Roads
Bicycle Friendly Roads
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
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Cycling is permitted in High Park on paved roadways only. Please stay in the designate trail to prevent damaging trails, vegetation, trees and other natural features.
The park’s network of trails allows people to access different areas of the park comfortably and safely. However, over the years many small footpaths and redundant trails have developed and existing trails have widened.
When you are not on the dedicated bicycle roads walk with your bike and enjoy nature surrounds you.
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From spring to fall the train is operated making a tour of High Park every 30 minutes. The tickets can be purchased from the train operator with one stop-over privilege.
Schedule:
April 1st − 30th Labour Day – October 31st Weekends only 10:30am to dusk
May 1st – Labour Day weekdays and weekends 10:30 am to dusk
Fare:
Adults $4.50 Children & Seniors (65+) $3.50
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Trackless Train Routes
Paved Trails
Trackless Train Routes
Trackless Train Stops
InformationMap
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Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
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Main Road
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Dog Off-leash Area
Paved Trails
Rough Trails
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
MAP KEY
Main Road
Parking
Dog Off-leash Area
In order to ensure that all users of High Park have an enjoyable visit please keep your dog on a leash in all areas except in designated off-leash area.
Dogs must remain on leash while walking to, entering or exiting an off-leash area.
While off leash, keep your dog on the woodchipped trail inside the fenced areas and on the paved portion of Spring Road.
Help keep your dog healthy and the park cleaner by picking up after your dog. All dog owners in the City of Toronto are required pick up and remove dog waste from public grounds.
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The Ontario Foundation for Visually Impaired Children operates out of the High Park Forest School, running a daily group programs for children age between 2 and 5 who have blindness or visual impairment.
Jamie Bell Adventure Playground is a large, unique play area design in part by children.
Labyrinth was created in 2001. It is designed to help us find our centre like a walking meditation.
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Points of Interest
Paved Trails
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
MAP KEY
Main Road
The High Park Zoo was founded in 1893, and has always been a popular attraction for many visitors. It is open every day from 7 am to dusk year round. It provides unique experiences to everyone in the middle of urban area.
The High Park Zoo is home to variety of animal species from around the world including bison, llamas, peacocks, deer and sheep that you cannot easily witness in the city.
Admission is free. Everyone is welcomed to enjoy special experience anytime they want.
Don’t forget feeding the animals is injurious to their health and is NOT permitted.
The High Park Children’s Garden is planted and maintained by children and youth who participate in gardening and nature exploration activities through our programs. Grab a chance to learn about and enjoy organic gardening, urban ecology through hands-on experiences.
Colborne Lodge was designed and built by John G. Howard, one of Toronto’s first architects in 1837. Open noon–4pm. Also visit the Howard Monument located near the cottage.
Nature Centre offers a wide range of outdoor environmental and stewardship programs. They encourage exploration and observation of the natural world. For more information visit: www.highparknaturecentre.com
Allotment Garden opened in 1974 and provide permitted plots to local gardeners for fruit, vegetable and flower plantings.
During the summer, the Canadian Stage Company puts on Shakespearean play in the park’s amphitheatre.
The Grenadier Cafe is open 7am–9pm in the Summer. 7am–8pm in the Winter.
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Outdoor Ice Rink opens during the winter months. It provides opportunity for skating, hockey.
Outdoor swimming pool opens during summer months. mid June to Labour day
There are three baseball diamonds and two soccer fields open for anybody at the park.
The park tries to ban the activity of sport of fishing at ponds because it harms wildlife. Fishing has been a long tradition at High Park but it is also important to preserve and respect nature that is available to us.
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Activities
Paved Trails
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
MAP KEY
Main Road
Tennis Courts in High Park is open for everyone but the Howard Park Tennis Club on Parkside Drive offers private memberships and limited public hours.
Time limit 30min-1hr per group to give other players a chance to play.
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Gardens
Paved Trails
Garden Areas
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
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Main Road
There are specially designed gardens within the park.
The Hillside Ornamental Gardens are located on the Southwest of High Park.
The gardens were planted in the early 1900s. The Maple Leaf Garden has impressive floral display of maple leaf. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth during a visit to Toronto in 1958. If you follow the path on the hill you will meet
The Sunken Garden that is located on Colborne Drive South. It has fountains and the Hanging Garden is near the place.
Between mid April and late May you can also find Cherry Blossoms on West Ravine Nature Trail that is near Grenadier Pond. The place is not only beautiful during the Spring; the colour of the leaves changes in every season and create beautiful scenery.
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Picnic Areas
Paved Trails
InformationMap
Streetcar Stop
Subway Station
Telephone
Washrooms
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Main Road
Food Concession
Picnic Area
There are numerous picnic areas available at High Park. The park’s picnic areas are popular among large families to get together outdoors. High Park offers picnic areas for pre-booking. They can be booked on a first come, first served basis from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday by calling 416-392-8188.
Charcoal barbecues are prohibited.
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