Visiting High Park
High Park is the second largest park in Toronto after Centennial Park. To preserve ecological diversity, one third of the park has been left in a nearly wild state.
History
In 1836, John George Howard purchased a 160-hectare plot of land west of Toronto to raise sheep. This engineer and architect retired in 1855 and signed a contract with the Toronto City Council. He ceded his property to the city under several conditions. He and his wife were permitted to live there for the remainder of their lives, the estate had to be named High Park, it had to remain free for the public, and they were to be provided with a pension. The city accepted these terms, and Toronto gained a new public park.
The Park
The park features its own zoo, the High Park Zoo. It is a modest facility where bison, llamas, sheep, and wallabies live side by side. There are no large predators here.
You will also find an amphitheater. Every summer, the Canadian Stage Company (a local theater organization) performs during the Shakespeare in High Park event.
The High Park Nature Centre offers programs and publications focused on local conservation. They provide content for everyone from young children to adults, and they coordinate the volunteers who help with park maintenance.
Numerous gardens round out the landscape. The best known is the Japanese cherry tree grove. You will find 8 other gardens throughout your visit, including one designed specifically for children.
Did you know?
The zoo is home to a pair of capybaras, the world's largest rodents. In May 2016, they escaped. Their month-long run from the zoo became a viral sensation on social media. The community has since nicknamed them Bonnie & Clyde.
This park is a pleasant spot that totally lets you disconnect from the city activity. The park is big and allows athletes to do various outdoor activities (jogging, fishing, etc.). On nice summer days, you can also have a picnic in the areas set aside for that. It is not rare to run into a few animals like black squirrels or geese. I reconnected with nature and it feels so good!