Toronto High Park

Take at least a few hours to enjoy the numerous attractions at High Park while in Toronto. One-third of the park is undeveloped, with trees, shrubs, and flowers, including fragrant Sakura cherry trees, gifts from Tokyo that form a fragrant pink canopy in the springtime. Children love the numerous playgrounds here, as well as the small zoo. Grenadier Pond makes an ideal spot for resting or fishing.

• High Park is ideal for nature lovers and families with young children.

• There are several in-demand restrooms across the park.

• Grenadier Cafe, located in the middle of the park, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee.

• Bring some drinks, snacks, or a picnic meal with you. There are plenty of spots to picnic.

• There is an off-leash dog park.

High Park is bordered by the Queensway and Bloor Street West to the south and north, and Parkside Drive to the east. By public transportation, take the TTC Light Rail to High Park Loop, or take the Bloor-Danforth subway line to High Park Station. Parking is free at High Park, but it can be hard to find on busy days.

Ontario holidays and weekends, as well as spring cherry blossom season, tend to be busiest. However, it’s worth it to fight the crowds to capture the beauty of the cherry trees in bloom, typically from late April to early May.

There are a few theories behind the naming of Grenadier Pond, but the most intriguing revolves around an oft-told story of three Grenadiers who crossed the pond here to defend themselves against American forces in April 1813. They are said to have died crossing the thin ice on foot or by boat, and the pond was named in their honor.