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 »

CBC Interview request, January 26, 2012

Hello, will be in High Park tomorrow--Friday 27th Jan. Hoping there will be someone there to talk about the zoo? Will be there at 10 am with Councillor Sarah Doucette.

Cheers:
Kimberly Gale 416-453-5218
kimberly.gale@cbc.ca

save the yak.., January 23, 2012 , posted by ruthbw

i was just reading about your budget being cut. don\'t get me started on that...
in the article it suggest you may seek out funding from large corporations.
i was wondering if you\'ve thought about an animal sponsorship program?
this type of fund raising keeps it community based, is fun for kids and schools in the area, small local businesses, churches and local environmental groups.
just a thought...

April event in high park, January 20, 2012 , posted by Michael Stadtlander , Wagen@bmts.com

Hello,
My name is chef Michael Stadtlander and I am looking for a space at high park for an event to raise awareness against the proposed Mega Quarry in Melancton, which is 2 hours north of Toronto. The event will be recognized as "Soup Stock". Can you let me know if it is a possibility. You can reach me at home at 519 922 3138 or by email wagn@bmts.com
Thank you,
Michael Stadtlander

Donations, January 18, 2012 , posted by Solice , ksmorris@gmail.com

Is there a location online where those of us who would like to see the High Park Zoo continue in operation can make safe online donations? I\'d like to see the City take resume responsibility for the Zoo, but in the meantime I\'m willing to give something form my fixed income to keep something as pleasant and affordable for kids and their families to visit and enjoy available.

Local Kids Events, January 13, 2012 , posted by Kim , localkidseventswest@yahoo.com

For parents in the West end of Toronto (High Park, Bloor West, Roncesvalles) - this is a great free newsletter to find out about local kids events. To subscribe go to:

http://www.localkidsevent.com/high-park/

We list mostly smaller local events and have a listing of ongoing activities (rinks, drop-ins etc.)



Kim

x-country ski, January 13, 2012 , posted by Sasha Mitrovich , m_sasha@hotmail.com

I am interested in x-xcountry skiing in High Park and was wondering which trails allow it or can I just do it on the grass anywhere I find snow?

Save the Zoo, January 12, 2012

Yes, the zoo is open in January. But if we don't act now, it may not be open at all. Help save the High Park Zoo. http://www.ward13.ca/

Reservation, January 12, 2012 , posted by Samihah , smohammedy@gmail.com

Hi,

I was wondering if shelters could be booked for around 15 people and if so is there a fee and whom would I have to contact to do so. You can contact me at smohammedy@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your time.

zoo, January 6, 2012 , posted by Camelia , nandoandcamelia@msn.com

Is the zoo open in January?

Found dog , January 3, 2012 , posted by Y , oooooo.word@hotmail.com

Jan 2 . 4pm found a male dog in high park .
please contact : oooooo.word@hotmail.com

tobogganing, January 1, 2012 , sy.melissa.fan@gmail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

Can we toboggan at the High Park in Toronto? IF tobogganing is allowed, where in the park that we can do it? Thank you for the information.

Overhead Street and Parkinhg Lot Lights Out , December 20, 2011 , posted by Alex , montyman26@hotmail.com

Dear Sir(s) or Madame(s),

I am writing to notify you of overhead street lights that are out within the park. The overhead roadway lights along Colborne Lodge Dr between Bloor St West and West Rd. are all out. Also all overhead lights are out in the Parking Lot adjacent to The Grenadier Concessions/Restaurant - across from the Dog Park main entrance (West of Colborne Lodge Dr at Centre Rd.)

Thank you.

Rink schedule, December 11, 2011 , posted by Nathalie , natroydesign@mac.com

From your web site:
-The ice skating rink is only open in the winter months - it's where the tennis courts are (the courts become the skating rink).-

OK, I need to know if it is open now, (at least on Friday Dec. 16th) a schedule would be great, if possible (between 00:00 and 00:00 AM-PM) , and if there is a way to rent skates? If it is not open, I would like to know it too!

Thank you

Dogs are off leash in on leash area , December 9, 2011 , posted by Igor

I am a resident of the area and my family uses park every day. What we noticed is that when autumn comes and there are less people in the park some (fortunately not all) dog owners walk their dogs off-leash in on-leash areas.

Most of the cases is by forest school and tennis court but sometimes dogs are off leash even close to the children playground and soccer field where there are children always.

I found that there is no security and no technical way to control dog owners, so i am very concerned because i have small kids and i can't read dogs' minds.

I regularly make comments to dog owners. Sometimes they apologize and put dogs back on leash, but sometimes they just ignore me.

There is a huge off-leash area in the park yet some dog owners think that the park belong to them.

If you have small kids and have a choice i suggest you to consider other parks until the problem with dog owners is resolved.

re: photography, November 30, 2011

as long as you don't destroy anything (plants, for example) you can take as many pictures as you like without a permit. wedding photos may be exempt - check with the city about wedding photos

Lights, November 30, 2011 , posted by Heidi , heidi.faerber@yahoo.ca

Hi,

I know that High Park is very pretty in the Winter with all the Lights up in the trees and around the park. I was thinking of coming down this year, but was wondering if the lights are up yet. If someone could please msg me back to let me know if they are up already or when they will be up, it would be of great help. Thank you.

Photography, November 28, 2011 , posted by Richie Arellano , richiearellano1@yahoo.com

Good day!

This is Richie Arellano. I'm a freelance photographer, and I'm thinking of doing a winter shoot sometime around December (when there's enough snow already.) I'm thinking if it would be okay to do a shoot at High Park? I've seen the place before when I volunteered for an event and the place is really beautiful. And if I will be allowed, do I need a permit or something?

Thank you!

Regards,

Richie

Important Lecture Nov. 19/11, November 15, 2011

FYI: FIRST ANNUAL QUIMBY F. HESS LECTURE
Saturday, November 19, 1:15 p.m.
Reception to follow talk.
Room 110, Ramsay Wright Zoological Laboratories, 25 Harbord Street

SENTINELS ON THE WING
Peter W. Hall

Peter Hall, Research Associate at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Ottawa, and co-author of The Butterflies of Canada, will present an assessment of the health of Canada’s butterfly populations, focusing mainly on Ontario butterfly species. Peter is also author of a recent report published by NatureServe Canada called Sentinels on the Wing: the Status and Conservation of Butterflies in Canada.

Zoo, November 15, 2011 , posted by Jason Fisher , jason.c.fisher@gmail.com

Hi,

Whom should I contact about feeding the zoo animals? I will have some free grains available suitable for most of your grazing animals, would like to speak with whomever looks after their upkeep.

Thank you,
Jason

Colborne Lodge, November 7, 2011 , clodge@toronto.ca

Hello - we notice that Colborne Lodge museum, the 19th-century home of the founders of High Park and staffed by Local 79 members is not mentioned on this web-page. For more information on the museum, please visit www.toronto.ca/museums

Unusual Tree Query, November 3, 2011 , posted by Kati , frogandtoad57@gmail.com

I took a picture of an unusual-looking tree on the east side of Grenadier Pond on November 2, 2011. It is quite large, and has a bulbous area low down on its trunk. There are soft needles grouped in drooping branches - frond-like. The trunk is reddish-brown.

There were other people taking pictures of this tree as well as myself.

Can you provide me with a suggestion as to the type of tree this is? I have searched images on the internet, but have not been able to find anything like it.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide!

Ticks, November 3, 2011 , posted by Valerie Elton , eltons@sympatico.ca

Hello, I walk my dog in High Park often, and did so yesterday. When I got home I felt something tickling me, and when I looked down, I saw a small, flat, eight legged, black and brown creature, that I thought was a spider, so I brushed it off. Later, I was thinking about it being so flat, and decided to look up ticks online. What I saw looked exactly like a deer tick. Have you had reports of ticks in High Park? I wish I had kept the little creature to show someone.
If they are around, perhaps people should be made aware to watch for bites (signs).
Thanks.

Jamie Bell Adventure Park Safety Concern, November 3, 2011 , posted by Len , len.kagan@rogers.com

911 had to be called today to free my 4 year daughters\' stuck knee from a dangerous crevice on the playground equipment at the Jamie Bell adventure park. The area on the rubber jumpy mat is now clearly marked off in yellow police tape, as it had to be partially disassembled in order to get her out. While thankfully and quite luckily, she was largely unharmed by the hour long incident in the end (thanks to the kind efforts and careful, hard work of all firefighters, police and paramedics involved), I would certainly hope that in the aftermath, some manner of repair will be performed in the area to spare any other children (and parents) the potential for a repeat occurrence. Obviously, it is disconcerting to discover that the design of this equipment allowed for something like this to happen, and especially so, since it looks to be a relatively simple matter to fill in these areas of possible entrapment (note: there are three other similar ones on the same piece of equipment). This was a terrifying experience, witnessed by a crowd of about 75 anxious onlookers (of all ages) and we would be very disappointed if my daughters suffering does not at least serve to help others avoid the same unfortunate fate. Please feel free to contact me for any further details as to how simply this incident occurred etc. and/or if I can be of any further assistance.

Filmmaker/Director, October 21, 2011 , posted by Jeremy , carsclothescows@gmail.com

Hello, I was wondering if you might be able to help me. Recently a friend told me of a popular Canadian filmmaker/director that passed away around last November who happened to live in High Park. Do you by any chance know the name of who this might have be? I believe this is someone that I used to know. Thanks.

Fall Color Change , October 12, 2011 , posted by San

Hi all!

Can someone tell me if the trees changed color yet in High Park? (today is 13th October 2011) I want to visit High Park when all the leaves changed color but don\'t want to be too late before they fall off. Its such a beautiful sight of orange, yellow and red! i am from a tropical country so it really is an amazing sight to me :)

Special programs, October 12, 2011 , forbes.duncan@gmail.com

Do you offer any special programs to schools who are planning excursions? Are there any upcoming themed events that students could partake in? If so could I get the contact information for the person who arranges that?

Thanks

History, October 4, 2011 , posted by Ray Headrick , gifthorse2@yahoo.com

My grandparents got permission to plant a willow tree in High Park about 1958. Are there any records associated with an event like this. The sir name was Raycroft. Thanks for your attention today. Ray Headrick

Beekeeping at High Park, October 3, 2011 , posted by Fred Davis , f.davis@rogers.com

Hello

I am a local urban beekeeper. I keep hives at Casa Loma and the Four Seasons centre for the performing Arts and would like to discuss with you the possibility of placing a 2-4 hives within High Park. I recognize the importance of keeping the bees at a safe distance from public access while making the public aware of their importance to the plant diversity in the park. I can provide courses and discussions about beekeeping as well. Regards

Fred

highpark busybody, September 28, 2011 , posted by respectable highpark frequenter

I have been going to highpark for a few years and am a grown man of 49. As much as I love and respect the beauty of highpark I do have one occuring problem that happens to me every summer. There is a certain older woman that has harassed me and other respectful people every summer.She constantly comes up to us and tells us the rules and then stands there and watches you for a few minutes. I was there again the other day and this happened again. I have had less harassment from police and park officials. This time I asked her what gives her the right to harass people who go to the park and she told me she is a volunteer for the park. Is there such a thing and if so do they have the right to stop people and harass them constantly?

Co-op placement, September 26, 2011 , posted by Leticia , leti_bezerra@hotmail.com

Dear HighPark Zoo
My name is Leticia Bezerra,I am a student at Earl Haig Secondary School and i am taking co-op as part of my electives. I would really like to get a placement that involves dealing with animals ans so i thought of the HighPark Zoo. I dont really know if you guys are opened for co-op students, My teacher tried to contact you guys, but for some reason he didnt get any answers thats why i am writing this letter.
Thank You

Lost back pack, September 22, 2011 , posted by Nikole , bluebowling@yahoo.ca

I can't find my backpack -- maroon Mountain coop backpack full of my paints and brushes. Is there any hope that I'll find it? My phone is 416 985 6779 -- it rings 4 times and takes a message if I don't pick up in time. Also it doesn't work if I'm in the subway so please try again if you can help! thanks

September 19, 2011 , posted by Amber , adoyle91@hotmail.com

To whom it may concern,
I was wondering if you gave out opportunities to University Students to work in the zoo? I am a Biology Major and I am looking to gain experience working with animals because I would love to become a zoo keeper one day. If you can provide any information or offer any assistance, I would be very appreciative.
Thanks in advance,
Amber

Yak needs help, September 18, 2011 , posted by Arnold

Hi there,
We were walking through the park yesterday and noticed one of the Yaks standing in the water barrel with his front legs. His right rear leg had a serious wound on it by the ankle. It was a round abrasion a few inches in diameter like he had rubbed the skin off. It needs a vet to look at it.
Thx
Arnold

Reindeer, September 14, 2011 , marlina.kinnersley@cadillacfairview.com

Hi,

I am looking for reindeer for an event with the possibility of several days over Christmas. Can you please let me know if you rent reindeer with an animal wrangler and if not, do you know where I can go for it?

Thanks

Booking a Baseball Diamond, September 12, 2011 , posted by Kim , Kim.koren@trader.ca

We are searching for a baseball Diamond Permit for this park. Can someone please contact me with how to do this? THank you!
Kim Koren
416-909-7847
kim.koren@trader.ca

High Park Zoo - Emu, September 5, 2011

I have been visiting the High Park zoo for two years now and have noticed that the Emu bird is always alone.
In nature Emu\'s live in pairs (male and female). They are curious and are known to approach humans, which probably explains the (High Park) Emu\'s interest in visitors.
However, I also wonder if it is lonely. While the zoo may not be interested in having a male and a female, I often think that it will benefit from having someone of its own kind.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks

Parking, September 5, 2011

Reviews about the park seem to indicate parking is very hard to come by. Unfortunately, I can't find any parking location information on the maps. Would it be possible for the site to point out parking areas?

Park Bench, September 2, 2011 , posted by maja , smrzlic@hotmail.com

How can I get a bench in memory of someone?

entrance fees for the zoo, September 2, 2011 , posted by s patel

Hi, is there any entrance fee for the zoo?

More Zoo Complaints, September 1, 2011

I was just there earlier today and I also saw animals living in unfortunate conditions. There was a young cow covered in flies, lying on the ground and kind of shaking. It looked like there were a lot of insects on a cut or something on its ear--it might be the same one someone mentioned earlier on this page.

Even the healthy animals must be pretty bored, though. They just have these fairly small enclosures and don't seem to have anything to do to amuse themselves. The sheep were just pacing back and forth at the fence separating their area from the next.

I'm going to contact the OSPCA too.

Fishing License, August 30, 2011 , cl.gismondi@hotmail.com

Do I need a fishing license to fish in High Park.

Question, August 27, 2011 , posted by Paola , Paosantiny@yahoo.com

Hi ! I need to know if fishing is allowed there. I have two small Kids that wanted to do fishing .. If not possible there
Can you give me some suggestions ?

Dog Park, August 26, 2011 , posted by Sabrina

Hi everyone.

I recently started taking my dog to the Off-leash dog area. We both love it. She gets to socialize and use up her energy and I love watching all the dogs play.

HOWEVER, why oh why is there dirt/sand instead of grass? My dog gets all sandy and I always leave filthy from petting her. I can't even walk around in there without coming home with black feet/shoes.

If youre going to do something... do it right. I have watched the other dog owners and everyone is very careful to pick up any 'mess' their dogs make so I don't see why we can't enjoy grassy playing areas.

More grass, less sand please!!

Lost Sunglasses, August 25, 2011 , posted by Bill , billfoster93@yahoo.ca

Hi, My name is Bill, I lost my sunglasses on the trail in the South East quadrant of the park, just north of the little in pond. They are Ray-Ban with black frames. Please call 416-708-6320.

re: zoo, August 22, 2011 , posted by Zoltan

I sent an email to the OSPCA to inform them about the conditions at the zoo based on stories/comments submitted by visitors on this site.

re: zoo, August 22, 2011 , posted by Zoltan

Thanks for your comments about the zoo. I have no idea who is responsible for those animals but if any of you want to report it to the Humane Society feel free to use this forum as a reference for source of information.

Lost camera, August 13th, August 22, 2011 , posted by Sandra , whiskeysierratango@gmail.com

Hello there,
Lost a silver Canon pocket camera, about 7 yrs old, in pretty bad-looking shape (the shutter doesn\'t close) but still taking wonderful pictures. Was mostly used by my daughter. I believe we may have lost it in the zoo area. If found, you are more than welcome to keep it and enjoy it, but if you could please email me the photos that are on the card, it would be most appreciated. My email is whiskeysierratango@gmail.com .
Thank you so much in advance!

High Park Zoo, August 22, 2011 , posted by Emma , farrelly.emma@googlemail.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I recently visited High Park Zoo on a moderately hot day and was not satisfied to see that the animals were in a lot of distress. Although the llamas have pools of water, many of the other animals do not. In order to escape the flies and heat in the wild many of these animals will stand in a bog or water. To not give them this option is cruel. In fact, one of the yaks was standing in a tin bath trying to keep cool. There wasn't even enough room for one animal let alone the rest. The bison were pacing their enclosure (which is very small for such large animals) and rolling in the dust. It is disgusting that you think it is acceptable to keep these animals in sub-standard conditions. Please sort these problems out by next summer so they can be somewhat comfortable in the heat.

Event Permit, August 19, 2011 , posted by Natasha , natasha.lefevre@me.com

Hello,

I am inquiring as to how to obtain an event permit for High Park. What are the requirements? Are you able to have local artisans and vendors selling handmade articles in High Park ? Are they allowed to Play Music ? Can there be tents / tables set up ?

Lost Keys, August 19, 2011 , posted by Ahmad Ali , anarchy.havoc@gmail.com

Hi there,
My name is Ahmad Ali and my phone number is (647)504-0285 and I was in the high park last week and I lost my keys there. I am not sure where I lost them but they are very important since they include my work keys and I must recover them.

There are approximately 2 small keys, 3 big ones and one small purple round square tag. The keys may also be attached to a silver chain with both ends attached to the ring.

Please get back to me as soon as possible if you have a lost and found department and if you have anything remotely resembling that I can come look at.