Video shows drivers breaking no vehicle access rules at High Park

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    Two weeks since new vehicle restrictions were put in place in High Park, chaos seems to be the norm. Erica Natividad has more from residents who say the rule changes have caused quite a bit of confusion.

    It’s been almost two weeks since the City of Toronto implemented phase one of the High Park Movement Strategy, but pictures and videos posted to social media appear to show a lot of drivers breaking the rules.

    City council approved the strategy in May, resulting in a new main vehicle entrance, reduced parking, and new bike lanes installed inside the park.

    Among the changes in effect since August 5 include the West Road and parts of Colborne Lodge Drive, south of Grenadier Café, being car-free at all times, and the primary vehicle entrance at Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard being open Monday to Friday but closed on weekends and holidays.

    Visitor vehicles are not permitted to enter through Bloor Street West.

    One “X” user, formerly known as Twitter, posted a video showing a line of cars parked in bike lanes and said he witnessed drivers moving fences to get into areas where they’re not allowed.

    “High Park is better with less cars, but some people move the fences and now park illegally on the new bike lane, so it is more dangerous for people riding bikes,” wrote Anthony Smith of SafeStreetsTO. “Why is [Toronto police] not ticketing these cars?”


    RELATED: City investigating after video shows employee driving into High Park protester


    Another video showed over a dozen cars parked in one of the new designated car-free zones. David Shellnutt, known as The Biking Lawyer, wrote on social media that he thinks the failure on behalf of the city is education, firm instruction and immovable barriers.

    “Not sure why police are ticketing cyclists while changes in [the] park use are floundering,” Shellnutt said.

    Toronto Police say the “no parking” signage has yet to be fully installed in areas around the newly designated bike lanes and some of the bike lanes are still being marked in some areas. Once the signage is put in place, the bylaws will be enforced by Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs).

    “In the meantime, PEOs are in the park monitoring the situation and speaking to drivers where appropriate,” read their statement.

    They add the PEOs will not be in the park this weekend because the park is closed to vehicle traffic.

    CityNews 680 has reached out to the City of Toronto for comment.

    Advocates are calling on the city to enforce these new changes, and some of the recent modifications to High Park are not going over well with area residents and those who frequent the space. In early August, hundreds turned out to voice their concerns over what they’re calling accessibility issues at High Park.

    With files from Laura Carney of CityNews 680

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