High Park Toronto Forum, comments and reviews

The High Park forum is a place where you, the (future) visitor to the park can post and answer questions and share your experiences, good or bad, about the time you've spent at Toronto's largest public park. Add Your Comment, question or answer here »

re: jogging, July 28, 2010

You can jog in High Park pretty much anywhere where there is no "no jogging allowed" sign. The trick is not to hit cars and bicycles at high speeds.

Great park and people, July 28, 2010 , posted by Stephanie , steal@cogeco.ca

Hi there.
Just thought I would let you know about the wonderful experience my friends and I had at your park yesterday, July 27th. We all met up at Picnic area #3. There was a group of kids with a few of the staff in the wading pool. The staff made a point of making sure our kids were included in a water fight and spashing and having a great time. They were also allowed to participate in a water balloon fight. It was very much appreciated and the kids had a great time. What a wonderful thing for the staff to do with kids that weren\\\'t \\\'an official part of their group.\\\'
We also visited the zoo. There was a man there that walks the path every day. The staff knows him. He took time out to talk to our kids about the animals. What they ate, their personalities, their names. It was neat to see the animals rush to the fence when they saw this man coming!!! So kind of him to take the time with our kids and share his knowledge. Everyone learned alot. If you happen to see this man, please tell him the group on Tuesday, at about 5 pm, with four kids and two adults had a great time and said thanks!!!

Capybaras? When will they be back?, July 27, 2010 , posted by Brad , bradd858@yahoo.com

Hi, we came all the way from California to see the Capybaras (ok, so not just for that, but it was on the agenda!) and were VERY saddened to see they were temporarily removed. Can you tell me when they will be back?

Jogging, July 26, 2010 , posted by Jillian , roxygurlz24@hotmail.com

I was looking for a nice \\\"safe\\\" place to jog in High park. I am new to this area and was wondering if there is any trail to run along.

Permit Fee, July 20, 2010

Hi, Why is your permit fee always listed lower than the actual cost of $80.48? It's misleading.

Water Lilies, July 16, 2010 , posted by Hyla Fox , gohyla@rogers.com

I am looking to find some water lilies in a local park. (To use them as models so that I could do a water colour portrait). Are there any in Grenadier Pond? Or, could someone suggest where else I could look?

Many thanks.

gohyla@rogers.com

Lost car Keys, July 12, 2010 , posted by Lisa Veber

My mother and i were at High Park Sunday July 11 between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00. When we got home after 8:00 we realized she had lost her car and house keys. We walked from the corner of Parkside and Bloor to the Jamie Bell playground, took some photos and then walked past the Zoo up the restaurant and then to the Food booth were we got fries. We then walked by the pool and then out the main entrance on Bloor St. I was wondering if anyone has dropped of any found keys.

They have a Hyundi Elantra door opener and closer with ignition key, 3 house keys, a big San Francisco keychain as well as a Disney Castle keychain.

If you have any word on if this has been found, please email me back star_lv@hotmail.com or contact me at 289 808 5164.

Thank you for your time

Lisa Veber

Peacock Feathers, July 8, 2010 , posted by maryrose , maryroserosso@hotmail.com

Hello! I have a friend that is getting married in December and she is doing a peacock theme and needs a lot of feathers....I understand that they are molting now and was wondering if she could have/buy some of the feathers!?!?!?!? please let me know at maryroserosso@hotmail.com

Thanks so much!

Maryrose

kids in pool, July 6, 2010 , posted by Denise , dna.chun@gmail.com

Hi!

I have two boys under 3 and I'm wondering if the pool contains a safe shallow section where I can let the older one play without holding on to him the whole time.

previous posting, July 5, 2010 , posted by P Lewis , pclewis233@gmail.com

Sorry, I listed my email address incorrectly regarding the woman that I would like to contact me, could you please update it to read pclewis233@gmail.com

Thank you!

Woman I'd like to contact, July 5, 2010 , posted by Pete , pclewis23@gmail.com

In late March of this year I met a woman at Dog Hill in High Park who was visiting 'the Hill' with her husband and daughters to watch the dogs play and consider which breed the future addition to their family might be. I would really like to reconnect with this lady to hopefully gain further insight into her illness... if she happens to read this or someone knows who this person is (mid to late thirties, 2 young daughters, fit athletic appearing husband) please contact me. We can confirm identity with details of our conversation pertaining to the illness.

Thank you!

Pool, July 2, 2010

Any idea where one can find the summer schedule for the outdoor pool in High Park? The recognition of the existence of a pool in the park is strangely absent from this site. The City of Toronto teasingly acknowledges its existence with a link to a schedule in the Summer Fun Guide, but the link doesn\'t work. When you peruse the Summer Guide old school (hard copy) there is no mention of a pool in the park. Any ideas out there?

re: Zoo, July 2, 2010 , posted by Zoltan

The zoo is open in September/October and as far I know you don't need to book a visit. Just be sure not to let the kids feed the animals.

High Park Zoo, July 1, 2010 , posted by Karen

Is the High Park Zoo open in September and October? Can a school bring students to the Zoo for a field trip? If so, do we need to book it?

public pool, June 28, 2010 , zeylord@hotmail.com

hi i would like to know how can i view the schedule, when is the pool going to open for public in your website. i tried going to the sports but can't find it.

thank you

lost camera, June 27, 2010

To whom it may concern,

On Friday June 25th, I lost my cannon camera in the parking lot close to the children\'s castle playground and the zoo.

On the camera are photos of my family and twin baby girls.

If anyone has found this camera, could you please contact me at stephguillaume@hotmail.com

Thank you for your time.

Stephanie

job opportunity, June 24, 2010 , posted by Casey , casey_c420@hotmail.com

Hello, I wanted to inquire about how one would work in your zoo, attending to the animals. I have a background in this field and am a curent volunteer at the Toronto Wilflife Centre. If you could give any information regarding this that would be awesome.
Thank you,
-casey cuff

June 23, 2010

I saw on your webpage that "no charcoal BBQs are allowed in the park."

So may I bring propane gas BBQs? or is there no personal BBQs allowed at all?

are there many BBQ stands for us to use?

childrens' programs, June 22, 2010 , posted by Victoria , vikkiparadise@hotmail.com

Hi! I was wondering if you had any childrens' summer nature education programs for groups who visit the park. Any info. would be greatly apreciated!

Sincerely,

Victoria

order, June 22, 2010 , posted by David Sandler , davidsandler76@gmail.com

Hello,
this is David i will like to know if you can make chips and chicken on the 6th of July, my mum is celebrating her birthday party in Quebec and i will like to know if you can make chips and chicken for 180 people attending the party please let me know if you can make this order also it will picked up by a private pickup van and please get back to me with the type of credit card you accept i will wait to hear from you asap.

Regards.
David.

Wheelchair accebility, June 21, 2010 , posted by Melonie , msampson@vitacls.org

We are big fans of High Park and are frequent visitors, I am hoping to bring individuals with mobility issues to visit also so...
Please if you can clarify if all the bathroom facilities are wheelchaire accessable? menaing, there are no stairs and/or curbs to get into the bathhroom and there are stalls large enough for a wheelchair to enter.
Please indicate which bathrooms are more accessible or appropriate? for example near the pinic area, near the dog park, near the zoo etc.
I apperciate your response to msampson@vitacls.org

Canada day events, June 19, 2010 , brownrootz@gmail.com

I read somewhere but can't find the info now that there are events for the family on Can day at High park this year. Can you send me the details please?

Swansea Reunion, June 16, 2010 , posted by Deanna

Hi Folks,

Just dropping a line to let you know about a Swansea Reunion taking place at the Swansea Legion on Saturday June 26th. Anyone who grew up in Swansea, on the west side of High Park, is welcome. We are expecting 300+ guests. The event starts at 7pm. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased at the Legion or at the door. Ticket price includes a light buffet, cash bar.

Feel free to contact me with any question: dee_deanna (at) hotmail.com

Cheers,
Deanna

Birthday Party, June 14, 2010 , posted by Sudhakar , sudhakar_m@yahoo.com

Hello,
We are planning to have our daughter's birthday party at high park. We found out that you charge $53.50 per shelter. May we know how much time we are allowed to have the shelter?

Summer Employee party, June 14, 2010 , posted by Mila , dhakim@cohos-evamy.com

Hello There
Would you able tell me, if you have a picnic spot with a indoor/outdoor facality?

Thanks

Great site, June 13, 2010 , posted by skeg

Hi - visiting from Halifax, NS. What a fantastic website! Thank you very much for all the great info - comprehensive and well laid-out.

RE: dragon slide, June 11, 2010

Dragon slide, dragon slide, hmmmm, can't recall seeing it last time I was at the park. Check out pictures of the playground but no dragon slide there. Sorry...

RE: Lost collar, June 11, 2010 , posted by Website Editor

I am very glad to hear about the lost shock collar! As an activist for humane treatment of animals I condemn the use of shock collars as well as any other devices that inflict pain on animals. If anyone finds the shock collar, please destroy it and put it in the garbage. Or find someone who uses shock collars for their dog and ask them if they would like to give it a try around their necks.

Lost collar, June 11, 2010

Hi! I was at the park yesterday afternoon and lost a very expensive shock collar for my dog. It's blue and has innotek written on it. If anyone found it pls call xxx-xxx-xxxx (phone number removed by editor)

Plays in the park, June 9, 2010 , posted by Jocelynn Smith , jjsmith104@hotmail.com

Do you have any free plays going on in the park this summer if so when?

Lost tripod, June 9, 2010 , posted by Kim , kbtran58@yahoo.com

Hi

I went to High Park on early Saturday morning , June 6 to take pictures and forgot the camera tripod there. If someone picked it up. Please contact me - my email is kbtran58@yahoo.com

Thank you very much
Kim

June 9, 2010

Do you still have the big dragon slide? I remember that from when I was a kid.

Black Oak Cafe, June 8, 2010 , posted by Adrian Blake , adrian.blake@sympatico.ca

My wife and I are long-time High Park residents and we use the park every day. The one thing we've really been appalled by is the complete lack of maintenance of the Black Oak Cafe. We were very pleased when it was opened but in just a very few years we've seen it steadily erode to resemble a derelict building. The security enclosure and main door is full of graffiti, the paint is badly peeling on every part of the structure that's wood, there are no longer any hanging baskets (the ones that were there were abandoned and left to rot in their pots), and no repair was ever done when a nearby tree fell onto the structure supporting the hanging baskets a couple of years ago. The roof is covered with moss and appears that it will have to be replaced much sooner than it should. This is one of the first structures anyone (i.e. first-time visitors) see when entering the main park entrance from Bloor Street. It's a disgrace and shameful that this has been allowed to happen, especially since the city's largest park should be a role model for the rest of Toronto's parks. Who is running this operation and when will it be fixed?

Canada Day, June 7, 2010 , posted by Andrea , andreacwilson@hotmail.com

I'm wondering if there are any activities scheduled in High Park for Canada Day.

photoshoot permit, June 5, 2010 , posted by Isaac Oppong , cypter_11@hotmail.com

Hi, i'm inquiring about getting a permit to have our wedding photos taken for an hour on saturday, august 7, 2010.

Fishing. , June 3, 2010 , posted by Sadaf , sadaf18@gmail.com

Hello.

I was wondering, what kind of activities are permitted around the waterfront of High Park? Is public fishing allowed? Thank you.

Shakespeare in the park, June 3, 2010 , posted by Marjorie Andrews , marjorie.andrews@ontario.ca

Is there an event called Shakespeare in the Park.

High Park, June 3, 2010 , posted by Lucy , lucyfern65@hotmail.com

How long does it take to get a permit? Is alcohol allowed in the park? What is the parking fee?

BBQ, June 2, 2010 , posted by Jen

I read that there are no charcoal BBQ allowed on the High Park site but what about propane BBQ? Also,if I reserve an area to BBQ with more than 25 people, are there parkings reserved as well or is it just first come first serve basis?

May 31, 2010

Hello, I am just wondering where Picnic Area # is located exactly? I went to find it few days ago, only found #9 at the location noted #8 on the map. But not #8 itself. And there is this circle of tables, is it #8? Thanks!

Re: Snake in the park, May 31, 2010 , posted by Site admin

Dear Linda, thank you for sharing the snake-story. If you spent more time roaming around in the forests, marshlands and riverbanks of Ontario with your eyes wide open to nature you'd find that there are a LOT of snakes all over the place, wild and free, proud and beautiful. They are infinitely more scared of you than you are scared of them so if you do nothing and give them a chance to "go" away they will. But like all animals (and humans), they'll do anything to defend themselves and save their lives if they are attacked and cornered (although 99% of them can not possibly harm humans): so the strategy is simple: leave them be. Maybe take a picture to remind you of the diversity of species and the beauty of nature and be graceful that you are part of it.

Pinics, May 30, 2010 , posted by Hilda , hilda.c.smith@gmail.com

I was unclear if BBQing was allowed in the pinic areas. And does one have to book ahead of time?

Careers, May 29, 2010 , posted by Sarita De Souza , saritadesouza@yahoo.ca

I would be very interested in finding out what positions you have available in animal care at the zoo (currently), if there are any available. Thanks.

I saw a snake in the mini zoo roaming free! It was soooo scary! , May 29, 2010 , posted by linda , noor

im a student who went on a feild trip with the rest of my class to high park on may 5th. me and my friends really wanted to see the mini zoo and so after having lunch we made that our next stop. we enjoyed looking at the different animals and when we were leaving the mini zoo we saw a snake! It wasn't in a cage like all the other animals, it was just slithering around in the open!This is what happened, my teacher my friends and i were happily laughing and talking and leaving the mini zoo when all of a sudden one of my friends screamed "AAAAAAHH! SNAKEEEE!!!!" of course i didnt believe her at first i mean come on a snake out in the open, free, not in a cage? But when i looked down i had a heart attack! THERE ACTUALLY WAS A SNAKE! AND IT WASN'T IN A CAGE! YES, RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ME WAS A SNAKE! And im a person who hates all reptiles ESPECIALLY SNAKES! Im traumatised by them! And of course i wasnt the only one who had looked down and was shocked to actually find a snake right there in our feet!!!!! I started hyperventilating! I was soo shocked for a few seconds i didn't move! It wasnt until my friends pulled me that i started running up the steps leading out of the mini zoo! i cannot explain how i felt, what a scary experience it was for me, i mean of course i've seen snakes but that's on tv where i know im safe sitting on my couch and i know that it's not gonna come out of the tv or in the zoo where they are in a closed space not out in the open! But i NEVER would have thought i would ever come face to face with a snake roaming freely! It was the talk of the year!"Oh My God you know we went to high park and saw a SNAKE!!" I had been having the best time at high park and it was going to be my favourite feild trip up until we saw that snake! And for me that SNAKE changed everything! I still say it was a fun trip and i feel really cool when i tell people i saw a real live snake but i would think twice before going there again. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED!

zoo, May 25, 2010

there are also mandarin ducks

SAFE AT NIGHT?, May 20, 2010

Hi,
I'm moving into the area and I've heard a lot of mixed comments about sketchy activity taking place in the park at night.
Is it safe to walk along Bloor street on the outskirts of the park at say 3 AM? It's a beautiful, relatively affluent area so I'm assuming it's been cleaned up a bit.

Please be honest and give me some tips :)
Much appreciated,
Thanks

re: dogs off leash comment, May 18, 2010 , posted by Site Admin

Whoever left the comment about dogs not being allowed off leash outside the park and saying that the proper authorities have been notified: Good for you! I'm glad that you have lots of free time and thank you for caring about the safety of people visiting High Park. How about the "proper authorities" first make sure that there are no cigarette butts EVERYWHERE and beer bottles and other garbage and cars don't speed and people don't contaminate the waters with all sorts of junk and once all of the above is taken care of, only then start issuing $500+ fines for decent people who walk their 10 year old dogs off the leash.

May 18, 2010

Actually you are not allowed to let your dog off your leash AT ALL in off-leash areas. And I have already notified the proper authorities that this website is promoting illegal off-leash activity in High Park.

Class Visit, May 17, 2010 , posted by A. Kouimtzis , angela.kouimtzis@tel.tdsb.on.ca

Hi I am a Kindergarten Teacher wondering about visiting high park with my class and what we could do while we were there....My teaching partner and I are considering Mid-June.

We were thinking about having the children walk through the trail near the pond up to Colborne Lodge and perhaps also visit the zoo. Are their guided tours of Colbourne Lodge during the week for this age group? Is there perhaps a little craft that they could participate in? Is there timing that we must be aware of?

Please advise. Angela Kouimtzis TDSB Teacher

Camping overnight, May 16, 2010 , jennytranjt@gmail.com

Hi,

I'm interested in camping out at High Park overnight. Is it okay to if I bring my own tent? We don't need a large space, just anywhere on the grass for just two people. Do we need permission from High Park? If we do it, would it be considered loitering or illegal?
Thank you very much.