High Park

Toronto's largest park owes its existence to one man's decision to give his land away. In 1873 the architect and surveyor John George Howard deeded most of his estate to the city, on condition that it be kept as a public park, and High Park, covering 161 hectares on the west side of the city, was the result. Howard's own house, Colborne Lodge, still stands on the hill overlooking Lake Ontario and is open as a museum, with its 1830s rooms furnished as they were when he lived there.

The park runs from Bloor Street West south to The Queensway, and it is easily reached by subway on Line 2 at High Park and Keele stations. Roughly a third of the grounds are left in a natural state, which is unusual in the middle of a large city. The star feature is a rare oak savannah, a landscape of black oak and open prairie grasses that was once widespread in the region and is now among the rarest ecosystems in Ontario. The city carries out controlled burns here to keep the savannah healthy, and the park has also been home to a number of rare plants and insects. Deep ravines cut through the park, and one of the eastern ravines is designated an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.

Grenadier Pond, a long, narrow lake at the western edge, is a good spot for birdwatching, fishing in season and winter skating when the ice allows. The park also has hiking trails, formal gardens, a hillside garden of perennials, an off-leash dog area, playgrounds, sports fields and a large swimming pool. A small zoo near the main entrance is free and houses animals such as llamas, peacocks and bison, which children enjoy.

In spring, High Park is a major draw for its cherry trees, a gift from Japan, whose blossoms attract large crowds from across the region for a short time, usually in late April or early May. In summer, the park hosts outdoor theatre in the evenings, and in autumn the oak and maple foliage turns colour. The Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation department manages the grounds, and entry is free year-round.

Visitors who want to avoid crowds should come on weekday mornings, especially during cherry blossom season. Bring comfortable shoes, since the terrain includes hills and uneven paths.