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High Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Active Life Zoos Active Life Playgrounds Parks, Zoos, Playgrounds [Edit]
1873 Bloor St WToronto, ON M6P 3K7
Neighbourhood: High Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
32 reviews for High Park
32 reviews in English
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Review from Q H.
North York, ON
11/29/2011
A lot can be said about High park - variety of landscapes, animals, zoo, great views, etc. My ex used to come here to catch fish for some bio research. Giant fish. There are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy in this park. In winter you can ski here.
But I go to high park for drive. This is the best scenic drive route in the city. Not just any other season. Only in fall. Around mid-October. I usually make a left turn to the park from Bloor. Then I head down south to reach Queensway. Then I head north on Ellis towards Bloor. Then I head back down to Queensway on Windermere. Lastly, as a grand finale, I head back up to bloor on Riverside dr. The view is absolutely breathtaking on sunset. It is definitely worth the detour. Top down. Wind in your hair. Great view. Fresh air. Wide open sight. Nature around you. Great weather. Sunshine flooding your car and your face. People enjoying life. What's not to like? -
Review from Justin H.
Toronto, ON
This is a review of Dog Hill.
It's truly a great place to take your dog. There are generally tonnes of other dogs in the area and lots of places to sit underneath massive shade bearing trees.Listed in: My Comfort Zone
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Review from Maddy K.
Toronto, ON
10/12/2011
a fantastic park!!
we went on thanksgiving weekend - a gorgeous day to spend at high park. Great place for picnics, long walks, runs and just about anything. There's trails along the water with lots of geese and great photo opportunities with the leaves changing colours!
Such a gem in the city! -
Review from Melissa L.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
What's not to love about High Park?
With its size it offers enough space for all kind of outdoor activities.
A great place to do cardio or just have a nice picnic.
The park offers communal tennis courts free of charge.
It has a small zoo that has llamas, yaks, deer, peacocks, highland cattle and other animals on display. For free.
Then there is the Jamie Bell adventure playground.
And a small amphitheater that shows selected Shakespearean plays in the summer.
There is a swimming pool that converts to an ice rink in winter.
Dog owners love the"off-leash" area.
The Grenadier cafe invites the hungry and thirsty to hang out on its patio.
You don't care about any of these features?
How about you just come by then to enjoy the different seasons...
High Park features cherry blossoms during spring,
it is a green oasis in the summer,
the trees show a colorful foliage in the fall
and it is a winter wonderland once the first snow falls.
High Park is just a happy place to be. :) -
Review from Teena D.
10/10/2011 24 photos
It was such a lovely afternoon (25C and sunny) that Gord and I headed over to High Park to walk around. The park is 400 acres and we walked the west perimetre, cut through the zoo and then walked the east perimetre.
The leaves are just starting to change colours.
The park was really busy ... there were lots of people out and about. Surprisingly the "train" was still running.
We walked through the small zoo. There aren't that many animals but kids were excited about it. Hard to believe our A-Hole mayor wants to get rid of it!
Such a lovely place to spend the afternoon! -
Review from Denise S.
5/20/2011
How has no one reviewed HIGH PARK yet?!?
The first time I came here was for "The Dream in High Park" -- CanStage summer Shakespeare performances. The classic, of course, is "Midsummer Night's Dream" but also they've also done "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Tempest" in recent years. This year it's gonna be "The Winter's Tale". It's a wonderful T-dot tradition and be sure to show up ~30 mins. early to get a good spot because it gets crowded, even on weeknights. The 'seating' area is on a hill, so the good thing is that even if you are waaaay in the back, you'll still be able to see. The best thing to do is bring a blanket and some snacks and make a picnic out of it. Some people do bring lawn chairs, but then you are limited to the back or the sides.
Probably the next reason for me to visit High Park is to see the cherry blossom trees. They usually bloom in late April/early May and mark the welcome beginning of spring:)
But there are a zillion other reasons to come here. It is HUGE with lots of trails and space for running, Frisbee, badminton, cross-country skiing (I haven't tried this, but they have a ski club, I dunno if they actually ski in the park: http://www.highparkski...) or whatever else you like to do outdoors. There's also a pool.
Wandering through the park and then eating something delicious along Roncesvalles has to be one of the nicest ways to spend a lazy, summer afternoon when you want to escape downtown.Listed in: Get Outside
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Review from Tanya N.
6/8/2011
*4.5 stars*
Finally made my way to High Park this past week and loved it. I didn't have a plan of which trail/path so my friend and I just roamed around. It's a lot larger & has a more variety than I expected (was just expecting paths & grass). There are paved and non-paved paths through forested areas, by the lake, manicured gardens, a small zoo (with peacocks, bison, yaks, emus) etc. Loved it and had a great time.
It may be best to come without an exact path you want to take since the one map we came across didn't even have a "you are here" marker.Listed in: List of Awesomeness, My .5 Reviews
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Review from Tara Z.
6/14/2011
THERE ARE LLAMAS IN THE PARK. Three of the stars are just for them.
The rest of the stars are for the cherry blossoms (such a great site for a picnic!), the Japanese garden (you can have a picnic here too!), the Shakespeare productions (picnic!), the lake (picnic!), and the running trails (don't eat and run, gross). -
Review from Monica F.
6/16/2011
5 stars purely for the Dog Park/Trails! Everything else is just a bonus...
Listed in: 5 star reviews!, Pet Friendly
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Review from Chris D.
ETOBICOKE, ON
8/20/2010
The park trail is good (I guess from late spring to mid fall) and if you will completely walk it through (from north to south or vice versa) well ofcourse without a doubt it's tiring but it well be a good way to unwind your thoughts. Along the park trail you can also do fishing or just lay around reading your favorite book or listening to the wildlife tune.
Well Its also family friendly place. A good place to held a barbecue with and play around the park. Their is also a summer camp held here for kids. Certainly this park is one of the great parks around Toronto. -
Review from Jing K.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2010
I find myself in beautiful High Park for one of two reasons: to bring my dogs to run or to use as a photo-shoot location for engaged couples. As it can be expected it is crowded on nice days. Everyone else seems to have covered the picturesque areas so I'll just write about the dog stuff.
The off-leash dog park is just past the Grenadier cafe, where there is a brief two-way traffic zone. You can park along the right, and release the hounds as soon as you pass through the gate.
After they get the sniff out of their system we take to the wooded trails which according to Kafrey and Six, all seem to lead down to the creek and the paved road (Spring road I think). The off-leash areas are clearly marked and you will encounter signs telling you if you are entering or leaving an off-leash area. Inevitably, there is the odd dog-less person who wandered along, didn't see the sign and is confused at to why he is getting his crotch sniffed by a pack of dogs.
The dog-park part has a nice sandy surface, plenty of picnic tables for humans and a water tap that the city turns on in May. There are a couple porta-potties if you take the trail towards the allotment gardens, and lots of waste-bins for the dog-bags.
After a round in the trails and a romp with new friends your dogs will actually be asking you to go home.Listed in: If my dogs could type...
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Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
10/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Pros:
- Variety of areas (lawns, picnic areas, trails, water features, playgrounds etc)
- Great for families, couples, groups, solo wanderers of all kinds.
- Despite some busier areas, there are parts of the park where you can go and really get a nice little nature break from downtown, and immerse yourself in it in ways you can't really in other parks or on the Islands.
- Not event-heavy, but there are some cool things that happen here throughout the year
- Photogenic!
- Lots of strange little nooks to find stuff like carved tree trunks and old tombs (this is sort of why I don't mind getting lost there on occasion).
Cons:
- Wayfinding is sub-par. Yes there are maps here and there, but not nearly enough, and signage throughout the park is poor at best. It's a big park, and it's easy to lose your way.
- Rubbish selection of refreshments/eateries. I know you don't want to have building/stand overkill, but what is on offer there is horrid.
- The 'zoo' is a sad sight.
- There could be a couple more washrooms about the place.
Overall, it's a lovely and pretty dense green space worth it to visit semi-regularly even if you don't live in the area, considering it's so easy to get to by streetcar and subway (the mid-to-upper areas, anyhow). If I can get there at least once a season, i'll be happy!Listed in: Outdoor Spots
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Review from Ktimene G.
5/11/2009 ROTD 4/19/2010
In a face-off, she puts NYC's Central Park to shame.
Equally beautiful in every season, High Park is made for Sundays. I will gladly drive through hours of traffic to get to the perfection that is High Park. It's that rare place that inspires both a childlike excitement as well as romance.
Yesterday, playing frisbee on the green was the greatest thing ever. From the earthy smell of fresh-cut grass, the sounds of a soccer team nearby, young couples holding hands, families, and kids playing on the jungle gyms, it's a great example of why Toronto works as a city. Everyone just gets along when it's time to play.There are so many gorgeous nooks, endless trails, 2 lakes, hills, museums, and even cafes! There are both plentiful open areas as well as thick foliage, and of course manicured gardens, each with a spectacular view, to boot.
Total endorphin rush! -
Review from Kat F.
I've lived in the High Park area for nearly my entire life (grew up close to it, and am now renting there again) and I absolutely love it. It's peaceful and massive with lots of places to explore. It's very close to the subway line (High Park station) and easy to walk through thanks to frequent maps.
There are tons of activities to do within the park - ice skating, tennis, swimming, bocce ball, barbeques, fishing, rollerblading, cycling, running trails and hiking. And let's not forget the zoo, which has year-round animals like llama, bison, deer and yaks, and in the summer, capybara and emu. -
Review from Kelly O.
7/8/2009
High Park is fantastic because there is just so much to do! There is a Zoo, a splash pad, backwoods trail hiking, tennis, dog park, biking trails, and Colbourne Lodge historic house and gardens, to name a few. I've even seen people fishing here (*not sure if this is legal*). You feel as though you are a million miles away from downtown Toronto, which is just soooo necessary sometimes.
Its a wonderful part of living in TO!Listed in: Best Things to do for Free…
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Review from Daniel B.
4/19/2010 2 Check-ins Here
We round the corner and find ourselves in the heart of Japan.
For a few days in the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom and the crowds flock to high park to take in the canopy of 2000 trees and their beautiful white flowers.
A DJ plays ambient music. People tripping out on acid dance. Dogs try have sex with each other. All is well in the universe.
One of the city's secret treats. But it only lasts for a few short days....
The rest of the year overwhelming freeway noise, sketchbag homeless people and the pond's mysterious quicksand make sure that we don't forget that there's an awful lot of "urban" in this urban park -
Review from Rosie S.
7/21/2009
Possibly my favourite place in this vast city of ours!
First of all, the best place to picnic. So much green, so many great spots! High Park is HUGE, and there's tons of waterfront picnic space as well as wooded or fielded areas.
Second of all, the best place to see outdoor theatre. CanStage's The Dream in High Park is the granddaddy of outdoor Shakespeare in Toronto. Open from about Canada Day to about Labour Day each summer, the show is pay-what-you-can (though they "suggest" a specific donation) and happens each night (except Mondays) at 8 p.m. This year (2009), they are featuring The Tempest.
Third of all, this is Malik's favourite dog park! The main off-leash area is actually right beside the Dream site. There are always lots of dogs, and you get to know the other dog owners and dogs very quickly. It's a great community to be part of.
It's easy to get to, whether you're driving or TTCing it. There is a "High Park" station on the Bloor line, and there are two entrances for motorists (one off of Parkside Drive, one off of Bloor Street).
It's a great place to be active too - walking/jogging/hiking/rollerblading/cycling trails, tennis courts, outdoor pool, etc.
Also: watch out - the speed limit is 20km/h and I have been caught speeding there before. (My, my, my, 11km over the speed limit...) Still, be careful! It's for a good reason - there are tons of kids and dogs here all the time, and all the cyclists and joggers are not the best at making sure to wear reflective gear. -
Review from John F.
North York, ON
11/14/2009
I have to disagree with Mike S. - I DO feel it compares favourably with Central Park! As a resident of the area, I feel highly privileged to have it on my doorstep. As Aeryn stated, it offers lots of recreation opportunities but there are nice places to stroll and gardens as well.
I'd rank it above Chicago's major park, Lincoln Park, as it seems to have more offerings plus its square-ish shape makes it much more convenient. (Same is true in comparison to Central Park, which has a very elongated footprint).Listed in: Local Places and Services
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Review from cailen s.
Oakville, ON
6/13/2009
I must disagree with the review below and say that High Park is no Central Park. That is in no way meant to be disparaging and if anything speaks much more to my love of Central Park than anything, because High Park is a wonderful oasis on Toronto's west side.
Basically if you enjoy being outdoors then it's impossible not to like this park. The park has a labyrinth of trails, which range from the straight wide paths in the off leash area to the small winding paths that circumnavigate the whole park and seemingly lead to nowhere yet are connected to a number of smaller nondescript entrances/exits; another unique feature.
There is a modest, laid back zoo as well as Grenadier Pond and a number of streams and ponds. I remember skating on Grenadier Pond as a kid but I think I saw signs that indicated that that was no longer possible. If that is the case it's too bad because it's a fantastic place to skate.
If you get hungry while your mid-park you can always hit up the Grenadier Cafe. It has very reasonable hours and plenty of options. -
Review from Aeryn L.
Toronto, ON
9/25/2009 4 photos
You can't live in the west end without visiting this park at least one weekend a month during the warmer seasons. There is just so much to do, and if you're all about outdoor fitness, High Park is a great location to get into shape. It's outfitted with a swimming pool, tennis courts, a baseball field, and numerous trails to choose from for running, biking, etc.
It's also a haven for pet lovers. There are specific trails or park areas where owners/ownees can take their dogs off their leashes, which seems to be an attractive option. The High Park area (Bloor Street West, between Runnymede and Keele) looks like a hot-spot for dogs, which is probably why there's a large trendy shop for dogs and their owners called Bark & Fitz just on the outskirts of the park on Bloor (and a Starbucks attached to the same building). Every time I pass the area, it always renews my interest in adopting an ankle-biter and a latte.
They also have a Shakespeare theatre company, sponsored by TD, which runs all summer long. The stage directions are always creative, especially with the small area they have to work with. The 2009 season ran The Tempest, which I would have *loved* to have seen. And just as long as it's not R&J, I'm looking forward to what will be playing next year. If you do plan on attending, be sure to bring something to sit on (blanket, cushion, etc) as you're more or less sitting on ground and make sure to get in early, 'cause the good seats do go fast.
Another quirk of High Park is its zoo. Even to this day (after living in the area for more than a decade) it feels kinda weird that I could walk down to Bloor and Runnymede for groceries, books, n' stuff and if I decide to walk east and far enough into the bowels of High Park I could visit their resident Bison and billy goats, peacocks and llamas. Being "neighbours" to these large Bison in the urban city of Toronto, is kinda cool.
There may even be something for ghost/haunted/horror story enthusiasts. There's a street along the edge of the park called "Wendigo Way", so I've always wondered if there was any native mythology for the High Park area about the Wendigo spirit... and erm, I'm still looking, heh. I have heard that there are family halloween-themed activities in High Park, including a pumpkin float, which sounds really entertaining, but have yet to go watch.
But, if "ghost hunting" isn't your thing, there is another popular hunting sport within the park grounds. One of the most inspiring moments I had was standing on a bridge and watching a truly gorgeous swan take flight. Their wingspan is quite long and you could listen to the flap of those wings as it flew by. Bird watching is a popular event for both professionals and amateurs alike in High Park. There is an abundance of species to see: eagles, hawks, and falcons to name a few (the Broadwing Hawk seems to be the most popular sighting).
So, if you find yourself wanting to spend time outdoors, for a romantic evening walk, a fun family afternoon picnic, or something in between you can't go wrong by visiting High Park.Listed in: While You're In Toronto
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Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
8/3/2009
High Park is definitely not Central Park but mainly that's 'cause it doesn't have the benefit of being surrounded by hot ass NYC....that and it lacks a merry-go-round....but in saying that, we are lucky to have such a great park in our good little town. Also, Dream in High Park is such a nice way to spend an evening. I love eating and watching entertainment...it's what I'd like to be doing when I die so getting to do this outdoors is like I've already kicked the bucket and am lounging in my own personal nirvana. Good times...Also, checking out what people bring to eat is really fun. KFC from a bucket is awesome...it makes me wanna eat drugged-up, abused chicken again.
I need to get out more. -
Review from Marie F.
FML... I missed the cherry blossoms again! Saturday I told my fellow Yelpers that I planed to have a picnic in High Park and take pics of those beautiful trees. Mike S. and Adeel started raining on my parade and telling me that the blossoms would be gone by Monday :-( They were almost right.
Most of the trees were bare (stupid wind) but I still managed to find one or two that were intact... plus I shoot with a macro lens so you really can't tell!
The way was beautiful, and since we were going on a weekend afternoon, the park was relatively empty. I will be sure to check out the cherry blossoms earlier next year! -
Review from Kim B.
ON
12/19/2008 66 photos
High Park gets a lot of attention in the summer, but let's not forget how peaceful it can be in the winter.
I recently walked around the west side trails, which have some great hills if you're looking for a bit of exercise, and it was clear and bright and white. People whizzed by me on skis occasionally, but for the most part, I heard nothing but the rustling of squirrels and creaking of trees.
It is one of the only places in the city where I can actually convince myself for a second that I'm not in the city.Listed in: CHEAP Toronto, My FIVE Star Toronto
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Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2008 3 photos
High Park is easily my favourite park in Toronto. It's big, and has a wide variety of park-like areas: there are wooded trails, cultivated gardens, open spaces, a pool, skating rinks, even a zoo and the "Adventure Playground" for kids. Even at night, it's pretty safe (I've only met a couple of weirdos in all my years of coming here); the most risqué thing you're likely to come across is a gaggle of fifteen-year-olds smoking dope just far enough in to be unseen from the street at night.
One of the highlights is Grenadier Pond, which takes up a large swath of the south-west of High Park. It used to be rather scummy, but it's much cleaner these days, thanks to extensive work to restore the wetlands at the north end, and to fix up the shoreline around the south. You can skate on it in winter (conditions permitting), and the park itself is also great for tobogganing and cross-country skiing. -
Review from Lynda W.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2008 2 photos
High Park has a nice leash free area for dogs to run around. It's pretty crowded, especially on summer weekends. There is free parking, which is a bonus, but there never seems to be enough of them. Quite a relaxing place to hang out, can be quite romantical. Lots of walking area and paths. You can go see a play in the summer if that's your thing, or skate in the winter.
Right by the shops on Bloor West, there's a lot of little cute shops in the area, worth to check out. Go down to the water, a short walk away and watch people play volleyball on the beach. There's quite a few things to do in the area, so slot a day or two to check it all out. -
Review from Keidi K.
As a photographer, it's my dream park. Its so big that I could shoot everyone I know in here and none of the photos would look the same. The best time to go? 8-9am you avoid all the runners who at this time are getting ready for work and moms and their young ones who are not even up yet. You get the park all to yourself.
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Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/25/2008
People compare our High Park to NYC's Central Park, but this one really isn't a spot worth spending a return subway fare to see. It's fantastic as a local neighbourhood park, with the benefit of summertime cultural advantages, like the Scream in High Park (http://www.thescream.ca) and Shakespeare in the Park festivals.
Outside of these activities, it's pretty standard, with decent walks and a large pond for your duck-feeding needs, with size being its primary selling point. I'm happy it's there for the community it serves, and I fully support nature preservation in the city. Great for that. However, it doesn't hold many pockets of interest for me -- especially given its distance -- unless I just want to zone out or take my non-existent dog (boo hoo) out for a ramble.
However, if you are downtown and need a quick escape, I'd sooner suggest you take the ferry across to Ward's Island instead -- and you get a trip on a ferry, to boot. http://www.yelp.ca/biz... -
Review from Jes L.
Toronto, ON
2/13/2009
It's the largest of Toronto many parks and parkettes. There are lots of community activities happening all year-round; including walking tours and Naturalists Clubs.
In the wintertime, its a great location for making snow angels (Warning: stay clear of the yellow snow), and if the snow is deep enough it's one of my favourite spots for cross-country skiing (ya, I'm old-school like that). For me, there's nothing better then zoning out ala iPod and spending a little time with nature.
There's even a zoo! -or, 'animal paddock' housing: llamas, bison, sheep, and other species of cute creatures. -
Review from Leopold K.
Calgary, AB
4/16/2010
High Park is the biggest and by far the most diverse park in Toronto. It has a zoo, numerous sports facilities, a super playground for children, an off-leash dog park, hot dog vendors, walking paths, a spectacular waterfront, picnic areas, a restaurant, hiking paths, etc.
Must see attractions are the Chinese gardens, the Maple Leaf garden, the waterfront by Grenadier Lake and the giant playground that kids will love.
Entrance and parking is free. The park is accessible by subway (north side) from High Park station on the Bloor West subway line, by the Lakeshore streetcar from the south and of course by bicycle and on foot.
The park is very clean, nicely maintained and regularly patrolled by security guards / police to ensure the safety of the public. There are washrooms available to the public. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
10/3/2008
New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park and Toronto has High
Park. I wish that I could say that they are all of the same quality but
that is not even close to the case, however High Park is better than you
think. While it is not of the caliber of the best parks in he world it
is still a very big and impressive park. Before I
was a long time resident of Toronto, High Park had a bit of a bad
name, but the last time I visited it was a lovely walk that stretched
for several pleasant hours. If you are planning on going to High Park I
would definitely recommend taking the subway because while there is
parking it is limited. When you go I recommend Grenadier Pond,
I say this in the hope that you read the Booky books by Beatrice Thurman
Hunter since many of her novels took place around this pond. The pond
is rumored to have gotten it's name from a platoon of Grenadiers who
were marching across it in the winter and fell thought he ice to their
deaths. I would definitely recommend High Park because while it isn't
Central or Hyde it is ours and it's pretty good.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Anon O.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2011
my favorite park thus far. it's huge and you can easily spend 3hours + here wandering the different sections. you have the option of a mini zoo, lake, running track, dog park, restaurant, random hiking trails, swamp area, bird sighting sections, tennis, ice skating in the winter, historical nature walks and so, so much more. i'm so happy that this park exists in toronto because the city desperately needs it. coming here feels like you are on vacation because the atmosphere is so relaxing and contrasting with the downtown core, yet it's not located in bum-fuck nowhere. it's easily accessible and is surrounded by beautiful historical houses for additional eye candy. i love how it's wedged between two neighborhoods that i absolutely adore (roncesvalles & bloor-west) so venturing here usually takes up a whole day. did i mention the blossoming trees in the spring? it's truly magical. i loooove high park! best seasons to check out: spring and fall.
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Review from Matthew F.
9/30/2010
good one.
