CITY HALL: Dust not settled in dispute over High Park access

One year after key council vote, debate over vehicles continues

- FRANCINE KOPUN

Diane Buckell sits at a table in Grenadier Restaurant in High Park where she is collecting signatures for a petition to reopen park access to vehicles on weekends.

Diane Buckell was a bride on her honeymoon the first time she saw High Park, when the Grenadier Restaurant still served lunch on linen tablecloths.

Sixty years later, she keeps a desk in the corner of the restaurant, near the takeout counter, collecting signatures on a petition that - despite garnering more than 14,000 names -hasn't persuaded council to backtrack on a plan that closed the 161hectare park to vehicular traffic on weekends and holidays, or convinced them that full closure to visitor vehicles in 2027 is a bad idea.

"If it made sense, people wouldn't be so furious," said Buckell of the changes to one of the city's oldest parks, opened in 1876, a bequest from an early resident.

City councillors voted on the changes a year ago in May, and in August 2023 the Bloor Street entrance to the park was closed, along with an interior park road running north to south and part of Colborne Lodge Drive. Parking has been reduced by 60 per cent.

Cars can still access the green space from Parkside Drive on weekdays. Vehicle access to the Children's Garden and Colborne Lodge via the Queensway is also provided on weekdays.

The argument was that limiting car access made the park safer for all users and was an environmentally sound choice.

One year later, critics say that while the city moved quickly to close the park to vehicles, it hasn't followed through with timely supports for people with mobility challenges who can't walk in from the perimeter, access the shuttle that runs from High Park subway station, or use the trackless train that runs through the park, but is not wheelchair accessible.