Amid the debate on whether to allow cars in Toronto’s High Park all the time, some times or not all, the first phase of modifications to visitor access begins this Monday, July 31. These changes are part of the Toronto City Council-approved High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS).
Changes that will be in effect as of Saturday, August 5 include:
- The West Road and parts of Colborne Lodge Drive, south of Grenadier Café, will be car-free at all times
- The main vehicle entrance will be at Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard and will be open Monday to Friday and closed on weekends and holidays. Visitor vehicles will not be permitted to enter at Bloor Street West
- Visitor vehicle access will be provided to the Children’s Garden, Colborne Lodge Drive and the Spring Road Parking lot at all times
- Public parking spaces within High Park will be reduced. Designated pick-up/drop-off spaces will be added near main destinations
- Dedicated bike lanes will be added to Centre Road and Colborne Lodge Drive
- Improved pavement markings and signage will be added to pedestrian crossing areas
Council also endorsed the continued closure of High Park to visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays and a long-term strategy to close the entire park to vehicles. High Park has been closed to visitor vehicles on weekends and holidays since March 2020.
The HPMS was launched in 2021 with goals to improve safety, accessibility and the park’s natural environment. Recommendations were informed by extensive research and analysis, including traffic and parking studies and feedback gathered through a multi-phase engagement process that reached more than 10,000 participants.
