Documents & Downloads
High Park Access is committed to transparency, evidence-based advocacy, and public access to information.
Browse our growing collection of documents obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, research, and historical study. If you have any questions about any of the files, or need help navigating FOI material or technical reports, please contact us at info@highparkaccess.ca.
FOI & Internal Correspondence
Internal emails, briefings, and responses obtained via FOI that show how decisions about High Park access, mobility and communication have been discussed inside the City of Toronto.
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Internal Parks, Forestry & Recreation (PF&R) emails about concerns raised by office of Acting Mayor McKelvie regarding the High Park Movement Strategy: how to appease the cycle community, links to Parkside Drive proposals, and implementation of full road closures in High Park.
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Email chain between City Manager’s Office and Mayor’s Office over concerns that the only public meeting could reveal High Park Movement Strategy recommendations
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The slide deck presentation for Acting Mayor McKelvie’s office by HPMS team for proposed Sunday-only area and time-based closures in High Park.
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HPMS team email exchange picks 280 as the number of attendees to be used in communications that describe the only High Park Movement Strategy public meeting held over two years. The attendance was actually 167.
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in 2023, Acting Mayor McKelvie was also chair of the Infrastructure & Environment committee that received the HPMS. However, Councillor Perks was not a member, so his request to Ms. McKelvie was “As we have discussed, I ask that you move the following motion on my behalf: City Council approve full closure (option 1) as the long term strategy for travel network improvements in High Park” …
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Internal email exchange about implementing the high speed cycling pilot, bylaw changes that will be required and limitations on communicating with stakeholders.
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Correspondence about how to communicate with residents regarding the absence of WheelTrans service in High Park following road closures.
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Email exchanges about how PF&R and the Acting Mayor’s Office should develop a communications plan on lack of accessibility in High Park.
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Summary of a team meeting on implementation of paid parking in High Park.
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Procurement and Materials division staff respond to Parks division HPMS team request on how to issue an RFP for a High Park shuttle service. Please note that this enquiry comes one year after the shuttle delivery was promised. Since then Parks division has promised and failed to improve shuttle service in High Park
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In response to a freedom of information enquiry, Environment & Climate division of the City of Toronto describe the extent of their involvement in the investigation of environmental aspects of High Park Movement Strategy.
Studies, Reports, & Data
Research documents, consultant reports, statistical tables and formal City reports related to mobility, parking, environmental conditions, and visitor use in High Park.
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The original project charter proposal for the High Park Movement Strategy, outlining scope, objectives, and roles for a road study. Makes clear intent of Councillor Perks from Summer 2020.
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Public online survey from Summer 2022 gathering feedback on access, mobility and park usage.
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In this memo, the Parks, Forestry & Recreation division’s own research unit review the Environics / MobileScapes report on High Park and recommend that it not be released because it is based on models and imprecise.
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Chart prepared by Wood (WSP) consultant engaged by the City to work on the HPMS showing “unique visitor” data for High Park based on MobileScapes analysis. The chart directly contradicts visitor numbers repeated by HPMS team leaders and Parks division managers of 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors.
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Independent consultant’s report on existing and future conditions in High Park, including a benchmark accessibility audit.
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Independent consultant’s parking-specific data table from the 2022 Existing & Future Conditions report.
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The independent consultant’s first (111 page) report on existing and future conditions in High Park. The consultant makes clear that the project is an extension of ActiveTO and the actual study area is three times the size of High Park. There was no community consultation with the exception of an online survey that gathered 5,600 usable responses over a 15-week period. The survey was designed inhouse.
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An interim report to the City’s Infrastructure & Environment committee describing preliminary findings, options and scope for the HPMS makes clear it is still considered part of the Parkside Drive review. It already suggests that “Vehicular lanes could be replaced by … Designated cycling facilities, such as a cycle track”. The number of park visitors is inflated. Indicates permit holders and community groups were not consulted until December 2021, and only then in one poorly attended online meeting. None of the results of consultation are reported to Committee. No mention of TTC bus or WheelTrans service are given.
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Briefing note presented by Parks, Forestry & Recreation General Manager summarizes the HPMS. (It was written by the HPMS team). NB: The three page report makes no commitment to hold public meetings, or changes will meet AODA guides, that TTC bus service will be expanded beyond summer weekends, and does not suggest a permanent vehicle ban is being considered.
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The final report of WSP (the HPMS consultant) was withheld from both members of Council and the public. Please note the consultant did not recommend the “preferred strategy” (sic) chosen by City Council. WSP also contradicts staff statements across a range of facts including the number of High Park visitors, AODA compliance, the extent of public participation and attendance at consultations.
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Here is the Parks General Manager’s briefing note summarizing the final report. Note that estimates on HPMS cost and financial impacts were never undertaken. And that: “The HPMS is a staff-initiated study … “Councillor Perks has been regularly briefed on the study and he and his staff have attended stakeholder and public meetings. The project team is in frequent communication with his office to share updates on consultation, information on emerging directions and responding to resident inquiries. Councillor Perks has indicated his support for continue weekend and holiday road closures and for full road closures as a long term goals. Briefings have been provided to DCMO, CMO, and MO and upcoming briefings have been scheduled with Councillors Saxe and Morley”.
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This is a Q&A style support document that accompanied the final report briefing - ironically displaying the many inconsistencies and gaps in the HPMS process. Please note that at this point in time staff explain why weekend road closures and full road closures are not recommended, that AODA compliance has not occurred and that TTC and shuttle services are inadequate. Cost estimates have not been performed.
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This slide deck contains the original recommendations to the General Managers of Parks, Forestry & Recreation division and Transportation Services division. Please note that staff recommended Sunday-only vehicle closures during the summer months.
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Here is the HPMS staff slide deck presentation to the City Manager. Note that over the four-week period since presentation to their own general managers, staff’s recommendation of Sunday-only vehicle closures during summer months was altered to year-round closure. Communications plan now prioritizes cycling advocates and car opponents. Staff proposes disclosing strategy at public meeting set for April 3rd. This public disclosure of staff and consultant recommendations was vetoed by City Manager Johnson and Acting Mayor McKelvie.
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This slide deck was presented to stakeholders in an online meeting to explain the HPMS team’s work and the options under examination. Note: Estimates of collisions, traffic volumes and survey participation are all false. The promised report on this February 2nd meeting was withheld from both its participants and Council.
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This staff slide deck presentation summarizes the proposed high speed cycling pilot in High Park and its implications for different cycling groups. The cycling organisations consulted by the HPMS team were: Cycle Toronto, Morning Glory Cycling Club GYALDEM Cycling Collective, The Biking Lawyer LLC, Midweek Cycling Club, Bateman's Bicycle Company, United Nation of Cyclists and Saddle Sisters of High Park.
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Tabular summary of engagement events held as part of the HPMS process. Note: the number of survey respondents is inflated. Fewer than half ever attended meetings.
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Slide deck that sets out parking operations, data, and required changes related to introduction of paid parking in High Park.
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First of two audit reports of the Parks, Forestry & Recreation division’s operations, including aspects relevant to High Park management.
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Second of two audit reports of the Parks, Forestry & Recreation division’s operations, including aspects relevant to High Park management.
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Under contract to the City of Toronto, the TRCA undertook a High Park road ecology study in 2024 to assess road mortality risk to wildlife in the park in association with infrastructure (roads, trails) within and around identified Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) and Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs).
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Tabulated data on permits issued in High Park over an eleven-year span, broken down by category. Please note that this data appears here for the first time, and was withheld from WSP (the consultant engaged by the City), TTC, WheelTrans, internal accessibility staff, other City of Toronto divisions, City councillors and external stakeholders.
Historical & Background Docs
Primary documents and historical research providing context on High Park’s origins, land conveyances and historical interpretation.
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Original conveyance document between the Howard family and the City detailing early land arrangements.
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Land deed outlining terms governing High Park, including conditions for public use.
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Scholarly article exploring the history of High Park, its founder John Howard, and the park’s evolving role in Toronto.
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The first restrictions on private vehicles in High Park occurred in June 1968. In 1980 a total ban was proposed. This is the report on public consultations by Commissioner of Parks & Recreation George Bell on the results of public consultations.
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This 44 page report examines all aspects of High Park visitor use in 1987. Please note that it employs a far more thorough methodology than the HPMS - 36 years later.
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Parks & Recreation staff conducted 1,882 personal interviews with car owners who entered High Park on August 11th, 15th, 16th and 18th 1992, to determine their use and purpose in High Park. The HPMS did not employ any similar survey or methodology - 31 years later.
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Public participation and involvement in High Park has followed a cycle. In the late 1980s and through the 1990s a wave of concerns attracted interest in High Park. Here is an October 1994 print ad placed by the (interim) High Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee seeking public support and participation.
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The volunteer High Park Citizens' Advisory Committee created this five page chronology of High Park safety initiatives for its supporters covering the period from 1987 to August 1996.
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Christopher Harris was Co-Chair of the High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program and contributed this paper to the Ontario Parks Association’s Annual Educational Seminar in March 1999
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This report is the work of three City of Toronto divisions - Urban Forestry Services, Parks & Recreation Division, and Economic Development Culture and Tourism. The principal authors were in the City Forester’s Office.
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During the 1990s, there was an upsurge of criminal activity in High Park that included many assaults upon women. The author at the time was with the School of Geography and Geology, McMaster University and is now an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto School of Cities.
For citation … Whitzman, Carolyn: "Feminist activism for safer social space in High Park, Toronto: How women got lost in the woods", Canadian Journal of Urban Research, Winter 2002, Vol. 11, No. 2 pp. 299-321. Published by the Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg.
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The volunteer High Park Community Advisory Council (HPCAC) published “High Park News” and this is its tenth anniversary issue. It provides an interesting overview of the extent of activities in High Park and citizen involvement.
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The authors reconstruct the fire history of High Park, in one of the largest remnants of black oak savanna in Ontario.
For citation … Dinh, Theresa, Hewitt, Nina, and Drezner, Taly Dawn, "Fire History Reconstruction in the Black Oak (Quercus velutina) Savanna of High Park, Toronto", Natural Areas Journal, Volume 35 (3), 2015 pp. 468-475
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As part of the Bloor West Village Avenue Study, Toronto’s Water division prepared this 25 page examination of the Spring Creek and Grenadier Pond systems.
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Canadian Stage Company created this short video for YouTube to celebrate its 40th anniversary in High Park. Watch “Dream in High Park” …
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High Park was given to the people of Toronto in 1873 by Jemima and John Howard by conditional deed for the “free use, benefit and enjoyment of the citizens”. It is older than Algonquin, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Parc du Mont-Royal and Stanley Park. Accordingly, High Park Access (HPA) submitted a freedom of information request to the City of Toronto for legal research performed on the Howard deed. Please read the Legal Services’ denial of access.
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The Legal Services division was required to list the eight (8) Howard deed record memos and correspondence that it denied HPA access. They were written between 1974 and 2008 during the terms of Mayors Crombie, Eggleton, Lastman and Miller and several of them are now themselves historical records. However, the HPA believe they provide essential background to policies that concern the use of High Park. Please follow the link to view the list.
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The HPA has appealed the City of Toronto Legal Services division denial of access to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. Our efforts have passed through mediation and arbitration and continue to be subject to review and foot-dragging by the City of Toronto. In the meantime, the HPMS grinds on with City of Toronto staff intent on blocking access to information to both citizens and elected members of City Council. Please read this 37 page description of the process.
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An individual (Marshall Leslie) made a request to the city for access to legal research records concerning the conveyance of lands forming High Park and related legal restrictions, as well as the implementation of the High Park Movement Strategy. The city granted partial access to the responsive records and withheld others under the discretionary solicitor-client privilege exemption in section 12 of the Act. The appellant appealed the decision and challenged the reasonableness of the city’s search.
In this interim order, the adjudicator finds that the records are exempt under section 12 of the Act and upholds the city’s decision not to disclose them. However, she finds that the city did not conduct a reasonable search for records responsive to the third part of the appellant’s request and orders it to conduct a further search.
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For reference, High Park Access (HPA) has assembled a timeline and chronology of High Park.