OPEN THE GATES, HIGH PARK IS FOR EVERYONE

I believe High Park should be open and accessible to everyone. I cannot imagine working all my life, paying taxes, and now being denied entry to my park, especially when the Mayor and Deputy Mayor fought for a portion of the park by Billy Bishop Airport with a powerful statement that: “Our city parks are for every citizen.”

In 1873, the Howards made strict deed restrictions regarding High Park. These included:
1. The land must be kept in its natural state.
2. High Park must remain free to all citizens in perpetuity.

The word “perpetuity” was used because the deed restrictions were made in a legal form and in a legal real-estate context. Access to High Park has to be free and available to all because the land was deeded as a public park with specific covenants. It is governed by a combination of the original Howard family conditions.

There should also be no significant site alterations, along with wildlife protection. High Park is recognized as a significant natural area and is subject to heightened environmental restrictions and protection.
At the same time, I believe we can improve High Park while respecting its natural environment.

CYCLING

One idea is to create a 3.8-kilometre half-elevated cycling track on Lakeshore.
If the City's budget for High Park improvements is over $15 million, we could use a portion of that money to have a professional, high-speed dedicated track for cycling.
As a dedicated track, cyclists would not have to worry about pedestrians walking in front of them. We could have one of the best half-elevated, high-speed cycling tracks in the world.

HIGH PARK NATURE CENTRE

In regard to High Park, it also came to my attention that the High Park Nature Centre received around $6 million toward renovations back in 2021. Nothing has been done until now.
This is something that should be looked at. The chess club/house also needs to be completely renovated.

HIGH PARK TENNIS COURTS AND RECREATION

We need to rebuild the broken public tennis courts, which are the only public tennis courts in the area. There is also significant demand for pickleball courts, since pickleball is the fastest-growing sport.
I would also like to see a public basketball court in High Park, giving children, youth, families, and residents another opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation.

People who run in High Park have also expressed a need for lockers, as they often have to leave their personal belongings and backpacks on the ground while they run.

High Park has a need for workshops that can provide useful skills and activities for our community.
For example, workshops could teach our children how to safely use bicycles.
There could also be car workshops. I am sure a lot of women and men would love to know more about vehicle readiness, such as pre-trip inspections, tire changes, oil levels, and other basic vehicle maintenance.

LOCAL BUSINESS IN HIGH PARK

I have heard that there is strong opposition to having a farmers' market in High Park. In that case, how about having a local business introduction initiative in High Park?
It would give us a chance to get to know our local business men and women and the types of businesses they offer in Ward 4.
This could be another way to connect High Park with the surrounding community and support local businesses.

There is also the matter of the High Park restaurant that has been in the hands of one family for close to 50 years. If we close High Park, the restaurant could close as well, and many jobs could be lost. Just as importantly, people who come here regularly would lose a familiar place where they meet, connect, and spend time with others.

VETERINARY CARE FOR THE ZOO ANIMALS

Lastly, I have an idea for how we can have a veterinary doctor who would look out for our zoo animals for free. Our animals are an important part of High Park, and having appropriate veterinary care available would help ensure their well-being.

MARINE PARADE PARK

I would also like to add one more thing.
Working the last six years at the High Park and Lakeshore area, I have seen that the freestyle drivers at Marine Parade Park would love to have access to portable toilets.
This is a simple issue, but providing basic facilities would make a difference for the people who use this area.

HIGH PARK SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE

A number of Councilors blocked the entry to our park, giving us a bus that would take us around the park, for which we have to pay around $7 for a bus fare.
To those who care about the environment, one diesel bus pollutes more than 11 cars.
High Park should not become a place where residents feel that they are being denied access to their own park.

At the last meeting of the High Park Movement Strategy, one of the participants asked a very important question after all the construction and changes: will these changes make it safer for pedestrians crossing the road at the crosswalk? After a long pause, the person in charge of the project answered no, explaining that pedestrian safety at the crosswalk is not their responsibility, and it is the responsibility of Toronto Police.

That answer raises an important question, who is responsible for making sure the entire system is safe?

The goal should be to protect the natural environment, respect the original conditions associated with the park, provide access for everyone, improve recreational opportunities, support local businesses, and make High Park a place where families, children, seniors, and the entire community can enjoy what this great park has to offer.