Hundreds voice concerns about accessibility over impending High Park changes

Hundreds of people turned out Wednesday night to voice their concerns over what they’re calling accessibility issues due to impending changes at High Park.

Work aimed at improving visitor access and roads at the popular west end park began this week as part of the ‘High Park Movement Strategy’ that was approved by city council back in May.

Among the changes being made are moving the main vehicle entrance from Bloor Street West to Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard; making West Road and parts of Colborne Lodge Drive car-free at all times; and reducing the park’s 560 parking spaces by 60 per cent while creating designated pick-up/drop-off spaces near main destinations.

But some of the changes are not going over well with area residents and those who utilize the park.

Eleanor was one of the hundreds who turned out to show her support to keep the park as it is. The 81-year-old uses a walker to get around and says coming to the park will be nearly impossible without the ability to do so by car.

“I should be able to do what everyone else does who can walk or ride a bike and it seems to me that the people who have had the most say about this are the people who are interviewed in the park on a Sunday afternoon,” she told CityNews. “That means they can walk or ride a bike. So they’re not representing me.”

Eleanor’s concerns were echoed by many other seniors who joined the rally.

“I’m 70 years old. I’ve had an injury to my meniscus, a meniscus tear, I’ve had a broken ankle. All of these things affect how far I can walk,” said another woman.

“We’re not pro cars. We’re not anti-cyclists. We’re for the people who need this park,” added another woman.

But for some cyclists, being able to ride in a car-free park will go a long way in putting their minds at ease.

“In a city like Toronto, where it’s gotten more and more dangerous, where should we go,” said one cyclist who tells CityNews that she’s been hit by a car while riding in High Park. “They have to come up with solutions instead of complaints.”

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