High Park, located west of downtown Toronto, is one of my favourite places in the city. It is the largest park solely within Toronto, spanning 161 hectares (398 acres). It was bequeathed to the people of the city by architect and land surveyor John George Howard (1803-1890). In 1832, Howard and his wife, Jemimah left their native England and immigrated to the little town of York (now Toronto).
High Park is both a recreational and natural park. It contains sporting facilities, a zoo, cultural and educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a pond named Grenadier Pond. According to High Park News, one third of the area has been preserved in a its natural state.
I visited the park yesterday, on a cool but sunny Sunday afternoon. Here are some pictures of a spring day in High Park. I couldn't resist photographing the little girl in the tree above.
Above is a photo of The Portuguese Monument, originally erected in High Park in 1978 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Portuguese community in Toronto.
There is a restaurant in High Park called the Grenadier Café and Teahouse. It is located just south of The Portuguese Monument and can be seen in the photo above with the train going by.
- Joanne