Access

HPA seeks community and user group engagement to ensure a transparent and fair High Park planning process that complies with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) legal requirements and standards, creates a new community-driven High Park governance structure and allows access by all modes of transportation including TTC, shuttle, bikes and private vehicles.

Inclusiveness

HPA is dedicated to ensuring that every citizen of Toronto - including all those with mobility issues, community groups, arts groups, sports leagues, and people of all ages - are able to visit and use High Park throughout the year.

High Park Movement Strategy

HPA opposes the recent changes made to High Park resulting from the City’s transportation plan called the High Park Movement Strategy. The City (Toronto Parks) undertook the misnamed High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) during the pandemic.  It was a flawed planning and management process from the outset, based on bad data and inadequate public consultation.  The HPMS objectives have never been clearly stated.  It was subject to political influence and resulted in City Council adopting a proposal that High Park be closed to vehicles on weekends, and then fully closed to vehicles in 2027 - against the recommendation of staff and the City’s own consultant. Some roads within High Park have already been closed and more than 60 percent of the parking spaces removed, with the result that it has become inaccessible for many.  All this has led to a decline in use of High Park.

Howard Family Legacy

The Howard family deed, trust and gift of High Park in 1873 was on condition that it be … “for the free use benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of Toronto forever” …  This is no longer the case. For over 150 years High Park visitors have enjoyed all season access to nature and recreation, by all ages, using all means of transportation, for all types of events.   We support “the free use benefit and enjoyment” of High Park for all and want a High Park that meets and improves on this original purpose.

Next Steps

Implementation of the HPMS must stop. A fresh, transparent and evidence-based consultation process free of political interference, that leads to a new management plan, a fresh community-based governance structure and rededication of the Howard family’s gift, are all required.

Please join us in making High Park accessible to all!