Residents get their first look at new changes to High Park

Known for its hiking trails, lakefront and diverse vegetation, High Park is a popular greenspace for residents and visitors. Its popularity has sparked a lot of debate on how to access it. On Saturday some major changes went into effect, including making some parts of the greenspace permanently car-free.

“It’s an exciting time, these changes have been a long time coming, other cities are way ahead of us: New York City, Montreal, London,” says Faraz Gholizadeh who is with the group Car Free High Park and welcomes the changes.

“Cars don’t make parks more accessible, in fact they limit accessibility for the majority of people. You’re not inhaling exhaust fumes, you’re not hearing the noise of cars. It’s just such a nice quiet space.”

The changes are part of the City’s ‘High Park Movement Strategy’ that was launched in 2021 and approved by city council back in May. Those changes include:

• 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
• Reducing the park’s 560 parking spaces by 60 per cent
• Designated pick-up/drop-off spaces being added near main destinations

Drivers though can still access High Park via The Queensway and Colborne Lodge Drive as well as Parkside Drive and Spring Road.

Dedicated bike lanes are also being added on Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive.

Roads in High Park have been closed to vehicles on weekends and holidays since March 2020. It was initially done to provide people with space to physically distance themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adjustments to the 400-acre park began earlier this week but aren’t sitting well with some area residents.

“There just isn’t enough parking for people that go there. People that go to the splash pads, the children’s play area, are going to have to walk from the Grenadier park, which is in the centre of the park …it’s not right,” says Diane Buckell, who is part of the group High Park for All. The group held a rally on Wednesday to voice their concerns.

“It’s ageism. Older people can’t get in, families can’t get in. People with disabilities can’t get in and the park should be open for everybody,” explained Buckell.

“We’re not pro-car, we’re not anti-cyclist, we’re for people having access to the park.”

Part of the long-term plan for High Park includes city council monitoring this preferred strategy while considering further changes which could include a permanent ban on cars within the park.