Ontario Parks: High Park

Last week, I went to High Park for the first time. It’s hard to believe that I live in Toronto and have never explored such a beautiful landmark. For those needing reference, High Park in Toronto is much like a smaller version of Central Park in New York City. Under normal circumstances, you can visit the zoo, enjoy the baseball diamonds, soccer fields and tennis courts, take a ride on the trackless train, and walk under the cherry blossom trees blooming in the spring. Although many activities are currently closed as a result of the pandemic, there is still so much to see and explore.

As of Wednesday, the park officially removed the barriers surrounding the cherry blossom trees so you can now enjoy the cherry blossoms in all their glory as you walk, hike, bike or drive through the park. It is important to note that High Park is closed to vehicle traffic on the weekends so when planning your trip, please consider what parking may be available to you.

High Park is another one of Toronto’s city parks that is both beautiful and full of wildlife. Upon visiting, I saw numerous squirrels, birds (wood ducks, geese, swans, robins, red-winged blackbirds, and downey woodpeckers), and a chipmunk. If you’re lucky, you may also see a coyote, red squirrel, racoon, skunk, big brown bat, white-tailed deer, groundhog, opossum, deer mice, meadow vole, Norway rat, eastern cottontail, mink, muskrat, and/or beaver.

For the best chance at viewing wildlife, be sure to take one of the numerous trails along the western and eastern sides of the park. I hiked the entire park but saw the most wildlife in the Western Ravines, including the wood ducks’ nesting site at Wendigo Pond.

If you love beautiful landscapes, be sure to follow the West Road to Cherry Hill where the majority of the cherry blossom trees reside. Right now, the trees have fully bloomed so be sure to bring your camera. Once you’re done viewing the cherry blossom trees, be sure to take a walk through the Hillside Gardens.

For more detailed information on parking, amenities and trails, you can view the High Park Map here.

Things to know before you go:

Cost: Free
Parking: Free (Grenadine Restaurant parking lot, Spring Road parking lot, designated parking areas alongside roads, and 3-hour paid street parking on Bloor Street West)
Washrooms: Available (year-round and seasonal throughout park)
Bike Rentals: Available
Camping: Not Available
Swimming: Available (swimming pool and wading pool open in summer months)
Pets: Allowed (on-leash and off-leash areas)