This community is to the north and east side of its namesake park. The area has gentle hills, and is well-treed and popular with families attracted by the park's features. The area south of Bloor was bought in 1836 by John Howard, Toronto's first surveyor, who named his estate High Park for its views of Lake Ontario, and in 1873 he deeded it to the City of Toro
nto, which preserved his Colborne Lodge residence as a museum. The community used to part of the Town of West Toronto Junction, which was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909.
Homes
High Park's winding tree-lined streets are lined with impressive Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor-style homes.
These captivating houses were built largely during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Several of these houses have been divided into multiple-family dwellings.
High Park's distinctive brick homes feature a variety of architectural details that vary from house to house. These features include leaded and stained glass windows, lush wood trims, french doors, hardwood floors and fireplaces.
The High Park neighbourhood also features a selection of condominium apartment buildings along Quebec Avenue, north of Bloor Street. These apartments are in the entry level price range. They include balconies, some of which feature south views that overlook High Park and Lake Ontario.
Recreation
High Park encompasses 399 acres of public parkland. This city park includes a fishing pond, an outdoor theatre, an animal paddocks, picnic grounds, playgrounds, a restaurant, an historic museum, flower gardens, an adventure playground and a trackless train.
High Park's sports facilities include tennis, baseball, soccer, lawn bowling, swimming, and skating, as well as walking, jogging and cycling paths found throughout the park.
You can read all about the rich history of High Park at the Runnymede Public Library on Bloor Street or the High Park Public Library on Roncesvalles. Both these libraries offer a myriad of programs for neighbourhood residents.
Schools
High Park Alternative Jr., 265 Annette St., (416) 393-9040
Keele St. Jr., 99 Mountview Ave., (416) 393-9035
Mountview Alternative Jr., 99 Mountview Ave., (416) 393-9037
Runnymede Jr. & Sr., 357 Runnymede Rd., (416) 393-9055
Annette Jr.& Sr., 265 Annette St., (416) 393-9040
Humberside Collegiate Institute, 280 Quebec Ave., (416) 393-0000
Western Technical Commercial School, 125 Evelyn Cres., (416) 393-0500
St. Cecelia, 355 Annette St., (416) 393-5218
High Park Gardens Montessori School, 35 High Park Gdns., (416) 763-6097
Montessori Humberside School, 411 Clendenan Ave., (416) 762-8888
Shopping
High Park is conveniently located within walking distance of 'Bloor West Village', one of Toronto's most popular shopping districts. The 'Village' is known across the City for its European bakeries, delicatessens, specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants.
High Park's other major shopping area is the 'Junction Gardens', along Dundas Street West. This recently revitalized retail district has gone back to its roots as a railway centre by incorporating a railway lantern into the heritage street signs along Dundas Street
Transprotation
The Bloor-Danforth subway line has three stations serving the High Park neighbourhood including the Runnymede, High Park, and Keele stations.
Motorists are approximately five minutes from the Queensway, which connects commuters to Lake Shore Boulevard and the Gardiner Expressway
- Gardiner and 427: 6.7 km
- King and Bay: 7.6 km
- 401 and 400: 9 km
- Runnymede Station: 1.1 km
- Jane Station: 1.2 km
- High Park Station: 1.6 km
