High Park

[picard102]

Toronto wants to reduce car-free weekends in High Park

And are closing an entire road.

 

[Northern Light]

Toronto wants to reduce car-free weekends in High Park​

From link.


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I'm mostly fine w/this, but disagree strongly with retaining the small parking in the extreme south-east and the associated chunk of road. It does very little in terms of being convenient or well used parking, its prone to flooding, this area of the park is low use, and would be best suited to restoration as a marsh/swamp.

 

[W. K. Lis]

From link.

In 1836, with intentions to run a sheep farm, John and Jemima Howard bought 165 rural acres stretching from Lakeshore Road up to Bloor Street. On this land they built a country home known as Colborne Lodge. The Howards’ property became the basis of High Park when they deeded most of it to the city in 1873.

The Howards kept much of the land in its natural wooded state but planted orchards and gardens around their home. They also rented out land south of the present day Grenadier Restaurant to tenant farmers. The current park office was designed by John Howard and served as a home for the farmers. Alfalfa and wheat fields grew on the slope that extends up from the present-day floral maple leaf.

In 1873, the Globe and Mail ran an article describing how the benefits of parks could solve social problems. John Howard designed public spaces thoughtfully with this in mind. He was aware of the pro-development ideas Frederick Olmsted applied to Central Park. While Olmsted wanted to create a groomed park from scratch in Manhattan, Howard really wanted to keep High Park as natural as possible. He was not a fan of fountains or arbours in his park. John Howard’s 1870s plan for High Park can be viewed in the Colborne Lodge library. The current layout of the park with the ring road around the tableland and the north and south entrances is fairly close to his original vision.

The City added the 170-acre Percival Ridout property to the park in 1876 and held a design competition for architects and surveyors. Howard deemed their plans too intrusive and rejected them all in favour of keeping the park in a more natural state. At his own request, John Howard was appointed Forest Ranger of High Park in 1878. Back in the 1870s and 1880s, Dufferin St. was the western limit of the city and the roads beyond were rough. Still, enough picnickers were willing to make the trip. Howard cleared brush and designed roads and drains. Wanting visitors to enjoy nature without the presence of “drinking booths or alehouses”, he stipulated no alcohol in the park, and High Park remains the only “dry” area in Toronto. By the time of John Howard’s death in 1890, streetcars came within walking distance of the park.

As per an agreement with the City, the Howards lived out their days in High Park at Colborne Lodge. After years of suffering, Jemima died of cancer in 1877. She was the first woman in Toronto to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and a pathologist in England confirmed the diagnosis when he received John Howard’s sketch of a ruptured lesion. Jemima was put on heavy mind-altering doses of opiate painkillers. According to John’s journal, she began spilling things, breaking things and running away to places where he had a hard time finding her. With an aim of obtaining the best possible care for her, he approached the Provincial Lunatic Asylum (a building he had designed with state-of-the-art facilities). However, the doctor in charge advised against such a solution. So, reportedly for safety reasons, John put her in the guest room, installed a door with no inside handle, put bars on her windows and hired two live-in nurses. When she passed, John seemed to sincerely grieve her loss.

John died at Colborne Lodge in 1890, 13 years after Jemima. Upon his death, his remaining 45 acres and Colborne Lodge became city property and officially part of High Park. (The City added another 71 (from the Chapman estate, formerly Ellis) acres in 1930, bringing the total size to about 400 acres, or 161 hectares.) John and Jemima are buried near Colborne Lodge in the ten-tonne tomb he designed. Boulders on the bottom provided assurance against grave robbers and represent a Scottish cairn in honour of Jemima’s heritage. The marble Maltese cross topping the monument was brought from Vermont, and this Masonic symbol represents John’s membership in the order. The fence around the monument dates back to the 1700s. It once formed part of the fence encircling St. Paul’s churchyard and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The ship transporting the fence from London England sank in the St. Lawrence River and Howard hired divers to salvage the fence from the wreck.

Two more acres were added via the amalgamation of the Village of Swansea; 18 acres were removed for the construction of the Queensway.

The removal of High Park land for The Queensway was in contravention of stipulations by original High Park owner John Howard that the lands be used for parkland only. Metro officials searched for descendants of Howard to obtain their consent.

Maybe the city could obtain the descendants consent to be able to drink alcohol at the Grenadier Cafe? Failing that, maybe the city could allow a restaurant that can have alcohol on lands that were originally Ridout or Chapman estate lands?

 

[W. K. Lis]

Toronto City Council endorses phased improvements to how people move around and access High Park​

From link.

News Release​

May 11, 2023​

Today, Toronto City Council endorsed a phased strategy to improve how pedestrians, bicycles and drivers access and move around High Park. Council also endorsed the continued closure of High Park to vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays and a long-term strategy for closing the full park to vehicles.
​

The approved High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) will now initiate travel network improvements in High Park based on findings from extensive research and analysis, including traffic and parking studies and feedback gathered through a multi-phase engagement process that reached more than 10,000 participants.
​

The strategy outlines major steps to reduce the volume and impact of visitor vehicles while also responding to the need for motorized travel to continue for some park users, acknowledging the limitations of current transit and shuttle services. Highlights of the strategy approved by City Council include:​

• Permanent closure of West Road and portions of Colborne Lodge Drive seven days a week, providing over 1.7 kilometres of new car-free space for park users.
  
  
• Car-free weekends throughout the park. Access to the Spring Road parking lot will remain.
  
  
• Enhancements to transit and a new shuttle service serving the park’s interior destinations.
  
  
• Changes to parking, including the addition of accessible and family-priority spaces and exploration of paid parking.
  
  
• Improvements to cycling infrastructure, including separated bike lanes in some areas and a recreational cycling pilot to test dedicated, early morning cycling hours in partnership with cycling groups.
  
  
• Re-naturalization opportunities and public realm enhancements, including sidewalk widening, improved pedestrian crossing areas and wayfinding and signage improvements.

The strategy will be implemented in phases, starting this summer. The first stage of work will include new pavement markings and temporary traffic control measures, such as barriers and signage, to indicate changes to the travel network.
​

Subsequent improvements, including permanent changes to physical infrastructure, will require detailed design work, costing and funding approval. Infrastructure improvements will align with environmental policies that protect High Park’s ecological integrity.
​

Proposed changes will be communicated to park users before implementation, with additional public engagement as design work is undertaken.
​

Since March 2020, roads in High Park have been closed to visitor vehicles on weekends and holidays. These closures were initially implemented to provide park visitors with space to safely physically distance during the pandemic and have been maintained while the HPMS consultations were underway.
​

The HPMS was launched in 2021 to explore improvements to the park’s existing travel network to better serve park users and the surrounding community. The strategy aims to improve safety, accessibility and the park’s natural environment. Improvements focus on existing paved roads, sidewalks and parking lots.
​

Staff recommend further road closures be explored once the approved strategy is fully implemented and measures to address accessibility and operational needs are met, including transit and shuttle service improvements into the park.
​

The High Park Movement Strategy Council decision is available on the City’s website.
​

More information about the High Park Movement Strategy is on the City’s project webpage.
​

Quotes:​

“The City’s strategy for High Park balances the many uses the public has for this beloved park. Over the past two years, staff have engaged in extensive consultations to ensure those viewpoints are heard and included. Now, it’s time to start implementing the first phase of these important changes, which will refine how people move around and access High Park.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
​

“I am grateful to Toronto residents and visitors who took part in the City’s extensive public consultations on the High Park Movement Strategy. While there is still a great deal of work, we must do, this is an important step in the right direction. Working to achieve a car-free High Park aligns with the City’s commitments to Vision Zero, improved urban design and achieving our climate change goals.”
– Councillor Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park)
​

Media Relations​

media@toronto.ca​

​

 

[W. K. Lis]

Motions (City Council)​

2 - Motion to Amend Item moved bymCouncillor Anthony Perruzza (Redundant)

That:

1. City Council amend Recommendation 12 by deleting the following words "as an interim measure, City Council approve area-based road closures - Draft Strategy #3 in Attachment A to the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services; and direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to continue the full closure of High Park to private visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, exclusive of Spring Road parking lot, on an ongoing basis." so that it now reads as follows:

12. City Council approve full road closures at all times - Draft Strategy #1 in Attachment A to the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services as the long term strategy for travel network improvements in High Park; as an interim measure, City Council approve area-based road closures - Draft Strategy #3 in Attachment A to the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services; and direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to continue the full closure of High Park to private visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, exclusive of Spring Road parking lot, on an ongoing basis.​

2. City Council direct that all roads within High Park remain open to all vehicles seven days a week during the implementation of the balance of the preferred strategy and until the full implementation of the accessible shuttle, the expansion of TTC operations to include year-round bus service, and the completion of accessibility upgrades at High Park subway station.




1 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)

That:

1. City Council delete Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendations 1 and 12:

Recommendations to be deleted​

​

1. City Council approve the preferred strategy for travel network improvements in High Park as described in the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services.​

​

12. City Council approve full road closures at all times - Draft Strategy 1 in Attachment 1 to the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services as the long term strategy for travel network improvements in High Park; as an interim measure, City Council approve area-based road closures - Draft Strategy 3 in Attachment 1 to the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services; and direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to continue the full closure of High Park to private visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, exclusive of Spring Road parking lot, on an ongoing basis.​

​

and adopt instead the following new Recommendations:

1. City Council approve full road closures at all times as the long term strategy for travel network improvements in High Park.​

​

2. City Council amend the preferred strategy for travel network improvements in High Park as described in the report (April 12, 2023) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the General Manager, Transportation Services to include the full closure of High Park to private visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, exclusive of Spring Road parking lot, on an ongoing basis, and approve the amended preferred strategy as an interim measure.​

Vote (Amend Item) May-11-2023 11:49 AM​

Result: Carried	Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 18	Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson
Total members that voted No: 7	Members that voted No are Lily Cheng, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson
Total members that were Absent: 0	Members that were absent are

3 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Paula Fletcher (Carried)

That City Council request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to include consideration of a shuttle for other parks in the development for the Request For Proposals for the renewed shuttle service in High Park described in Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendation 7.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) May-11-2023 11:50 AM​

Result: Carried	Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 21	Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson
Total members that voted No: 4	Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson
Total members that were Absent: 0	Members that were absent are

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) May-11-2023 11:50 AM​

Result: Carried	Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 18	Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe, Michael Thompson
Total members that voted No: 7	Members that voted No are Lily Cheng, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson
Total members that were Absent: 0	Members that were absent are

 

[W. K. Lis]

High Park plan called ‘war on the car’ approved by city council​

Toronto councillors voted to keep High Park car-free on weekends while city staff devise a plan to make the landmark vehicle-free altogether​

From link.

High Park will remain closed to vehicles on weekends and holidays while city staff work on a plan to eventually ban private vehicles altogether from the landmark greenspace popular with pedestrians and cyclists.

Toronto city council voted 18-7 Thursday for the compromise plan after fierce debate in which opponents called it a radical “war on the car” measure despite the fact that park users will see only minor changes in the short term.

“City staff will go in and start making physical changes so that cars and pedestrians and cyclists aren’t bumping into each other, and do the technical work so that we can get, in a few years, to a completely car-free High Park,” said Coun. Gord Perks, whose ward includes the park. He proposed the successful motion.

The plan includes new separated bike lanes in some places and changes to parking including additional “family priority” spaces and others for people with mobility challenges.

Perks noted conflict in High Park triggered calls ranging for a permanent vehicle ban to no vehicle restrictions. His council opponents, he said, “are stuck in a world that hasn’t existed in 50 years — where people could drive freely to wherever they want to go.

“At High Park, there are just too many people trying to get in there to accommodate all of the cars so we needed a better path that fit with our Vision Zero and climate goals.”

Full closure to vehicles won’t happen until city council debates it in the future.

City staff noted that a parking lot at the edge of the site remains open, that WheelTrans vehicles will continue to access roads through the park seven days a week, and that they are looking at options for shuttles to help people move around after private vehicles are prohibited.

Councillors rejected a staff suggestion to increase vehicle access by replacing the current weekend ban with one only on Sundays.

Coun. Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre) branded the plan “another example of war on the car” by “activists who want to create a change for the sake of a change.”

Coun. Anthony Perruzza (Ward 7, Humber River—Black Creek), a candidate in the June 26 mayoral byelection, who held a campaign event at High Park shortly before the council debate, failed to convince his colleagues to open the park to vehicles seven days a week.

Calling himself an avid cyclist who “loves slipping into his Spandex, feeling tight all over,” the Ward 7 Humber River-Black Creek representative said he thinks any restrictions on drivers in High Park “is hate for cars — it’s ideological.”

 

[DSC]

Perks himself posted in his Ward Newsletter:

Friends,

City Council has approved the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) final report and implementation plan which will be transformative for High Park. The City will continue to keep vehicle restrictions in place on Saturdays, Sunday and holiday Mondays. We have also committed to a long-term goal of getting to a car-free High Park. City staff have been given directions to develop a implementation plan on how we can achieve this while continuing to keep the park accessible.

The HPMS will take a phased approach to changes in the park. The first phase of implementation will involve restricting vehicle access on West Rd and a portion of Colborne Lodge Drive to allow for designated spaces that are for pedestrians, cyclists and other modes of active transportation. Vehicles will be able to drive into the park Monday to Friday by entering through Parkside Dr and exiting onto Bloor St. Parking spaces will also be available in the park on weekdays. Private vehicle access will be restricted on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays.

As the City works towards achieving a car-free park, we recognize that accessibility concerns need to be addressed. There are measures the City can introduce to ensure that the park remains accessible. The City will be exploring solutions such as expanding the TTC bus route within the park and introducing an accessible shuttle service that operates around the year in the park.

While there is still a great deal of work we must do, this is an important step in the right direction. Working to achieve a car-free High Park aligns with the City's commitments to Vision Zero, improved urban design and in achieving our climate change goals. I appreciate all of the community interest and feedback that has been shared and helped shape this strategy. I will continue to keep you updated as this work moves forward.

Sincerely,

Gord

 

[W. K. Lis]

Meanwhile, in Vancouver's Stanley Park. They removed the bike lanes...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1660711683227279360

https://twitter.com/x/status/1660535130048577541

Stanley Park sees long weekend traffic jam after bike lane removal​

From link.

The bike lanes in Vancouver’s Stanley Park have begun to come down and they appear to have been replaced with tons of traffic.

Barriers forming the bike lane along Stanley Park Drive have now been removed, but park-goers over the long weekend report slow-moving traffic and clashes with cyclists.

Tricia Barker, a former Park Board commissioner, says it took 50 minutes to travel from Second Beach to the causeway exit on Saturday.

“During that time, a cyclist came up beside me and I guess he couldn’t go along the road because of the traffic jam, and he slapped my car, got his bike up on the sidewalk … and rode away,” Barker told CityNews Monday morning.

Barker says if more cars are going to be driving through the park, there should be more routes for people to utilize.

“Unless we open up the Beach Avenue exit again, we’re always going to have those big lineups in and out of the park,” the ex-commissioner explained.

“If everyone has to leave at the causeway, that’s where the big traffic jam happens. It doesn’t really matter what happens inside the park with one lane or two lanes, if everyone that has to drive into the park to enjoy it, actually have to leave at the causeway … it’s impossible.”

The former politician tweeted about the experience, attaching a picture showing a long line of cars along the arterial road through the park.

Barker’s tweet garnered plenty of attention, with over 115,000 views and a slew of negative comments from cyclists aimed at the one-term commissioner.

One person wrote, “funny … I thought that removing the bike lane was going to miraculously solve all the traffic problems.”

Another user responded, “Hard to believe someone can see this and want even more cars in the park. Just inappropriate,” to Barker’s tweet.

Barker says the blowback online is nothing new.

“I’m very used to the, what I call them, the ‘bike bullies,’ coming after you if you say anything about being in a car,” the ex-commissioner said.

The bike lanes in Vancouver’s Crown jewel have been a point of contention, with the ABC Party-majority voting to remove the protected lane that had been put in place early in the pandemic. The removal of the lane will cost over $300,000.

Those in favour of the bike lanes say it is safer for cyclists who want to ride through the park, while those against point to the traffic congestion caused by the limited entry and exit points in the park.

The group HUB Cycling was at the park over the weekend protesting the removal of the bike lanes saying cyclists’ safety is at risk.

With files from Angela Bower and Mike Lloyd

 

[W. K. Lis]

Beginning on Saturday, August 5, 2023, there will be a number of improvements to the travel network in High Park. Visit High Park Movement Strategy for more details and to plan your future visits to High Park. Weekend and holiday road closures continue to be in effect.

The Keele Subway Station is accessible.

 

[W. K. Lis]

For some reason, they rejected this traffic calming system.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1685249272491425792

 

[AlbertC]

Some pics from Indian Road Crescent in the West Bend section east of Keele

 

[Northern Light]

Some pics from Indian Road Crescent in the West Bend section east of Keele


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The choice to elevate the sidewalk here, then do a paved, steep-angled embankment, and stairs, down to the road is so odd.

I'm trying to think if I've seen anything quite like it.

Its unattractive, apart from anything else.

Why not build a retaining wall, back fill it w/soil and create a green boulevard at the level of the sidewalk? You've have to add railings, of course, and that's probably the answer right there..............

Alternatively, you could extend those stairs further down directly, to a sidewalk closer to road level.....

 

[christiesplits]

The choice to elevate the sidewalk here, then do an paved, steep-angled embankment, and stairs, down to the road is so odd.

I'm trying to think if I've seen anything quite like it.

Its unattractive, apart from anything else.

Why not build a retaining wall, back fill it w/soil and create a green boulevard at the level of the sidewalk? You've have to add railings, of course, and that's probably the answer right there..............

Alternatively, you could extend those stairs further down directly, to a sidewalk closer to road level.....

I'm very familiar with this stretch. It's a death trap come an icy winter day. I'm surprised the city's legal team didn't require a handrail/barrier.

 

[toast_and_tea]

I used to live in one of the houses pictured and can confirm I nearly killed myself on several occasions in the winter, both slipping off the sidewalk and down those long, double staircases. I think there used to be more trees growing out of the embankment ... ?

 

[AlbertC]

Not in the High Park-ish area but there's a side street called Greenlaw Ave in the area I grew up in, that has a rather steep incline north of Davenport, and yes I've also slipped and fell once while trying to walk downhill. Was in pain for about a week.