Toronto’s High Park is one step closer to being permanently car-free

Toronto’s city council has voted to keep High Park closed to vehicles on weekends and statutory holidays, all part of a long-term strategy for permanently making the park car-free.

The motion passed 18-7 on Thursday. Two key highlights include the permanent closure of West Road and portions of Colborne Lodge Drive seven days a week, providing over 1.7 km of new car-free space for park users and car-free weekends throughout the park.

Council has decided to leave High Park as is for now, meaning vehicles are allowed during the week but not on weekends. In a news release, the City of Toronto noted that the strategy will be implemented in phases starting this summer.

“The city’s strategy for High Park balances the many uses the public has for this beloved park,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie.

RELATED: Cyclists protest in High Park as police deny enforcement blitz

“Over the past two years, staff have engaged in extensive consultations to ensure those viewpoints are heard and included. Now, it’s time to start implementing the first phase of these important changes, which will refine how people move around and access High Park.”

Though a permanently car-free High Park isn’t happening soon, councillors against keeping vehicles out of the popular space say enhancements to transit and an expanded shuttle service must be implemented before that happens.

A jogger enters High Park during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto. Photo: Flickr.

Parkdale-High Park councillor Gord Perks, who has long been in favour of making High Park permanently free of cars, said working to achieve that goal aligns with the city’s commitments to Vision Zero, improved urban design and achieving climate change objectives.

“I am grateful to Toronto residents and visitors who participated in the city’s extensive public consultations on the High Park Movement Strategy. While there is still a great deal of work we must do, this is an important step in the right direction,” Perks said.

Initially implemented to provide park visitors with space to safely physically distance themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic, roads in High Park have been closed to visitor vehicles on weekends and holidays since March 2020.