Looking for parking at High Park? New rules mean spots will be cut in half and parts will be car-free

After years of debate over whether cars should be allowed to drive through High Park, the city is designating parts of the park car-free at all times, building new bike lines and eliminating more than half of its parking spots. 

It's all part of a revitalization strategy the city began consulting the public on in 2021, spurred by the popularity of pandemic road closures, according to the city. Thousands of residents weighed in on whether cars should be banned from the park, allowed at all times or something in between. 

Now, after a series of reports, the city is implementing the first phase of "improvements" to the park starting Monday. But while some are applauding the city for taking steps to limit car use, others have said fewer cars in the park will community groups that rely on them.

Heather Oliver, the senior project manager for parks planning and strategic initiatives at the city, told CBC Toronto the changes are "about making it easier, making it safer and making it more comfortable for all park users to travel."

"The changes also maintain options for park users who wish to travel to the park by car, but our aim is really to reduce the total volume of vehicles," she said. 

The following changes will be in place beginning Aug. 5, the city says.

A 2022 city survey of 10,384 residents as part of the High Park consultation process found that 58 per cent of respondents said reducing motor vehicle traffic in the park is a "high priority."

Faraz Gholizadeh, an organizer with the advocacy group Car Free High Park Coalition, applauded the changes.

"The park should be a safe, quiet place. Not a place to drive through and park your car," he said. 

"I'm feeling very excited and optimistic. This is a great step toward achieving a car-free High Park. The city has been behind other cities around the world," he said. "The quicker we can get there, the better the city will be."

But some are frustrated by the coming changes. 

Jason Okamura, the vice president of the High Park Little League's baseball division, said his organization has long made their concerns clear to the city.

With young children finishing league practices or games late at night, he worries about their safety if cars are limited. He also says he hoped for further consultations.