Toronto's High Park in the Winter

Toronto's High Park in the winter is a vibrant place - full of birds, small animals (squirrels, beavers) and people, sharing the white landscape, icy ponds and streams and trails.

Looking back at some of my previous photos, I came upon those that I took while visiting High Park in December 2010. Although I had spent my first ten years in Etobicoke and High Park was an occasional destination, I hadn't visited for many years. The scenery had changed quite a bit, mainly because all that seemed so big to me when I was a kid, had shrunk a bit as I had grown up.

I remember taking the "train" around High Park - this sign has seen better days.

The huge hill that I remember tobogganing down was now much smaller and with a hedge breaking the perfect route for a sleigh. The historical attraction, Colborne Lodge, however, was as impressive as always. This cottage reminds visitors that the park lands once were considered a country retreat, when the city of Toronto was much smaller. 

A simple wreath decorates one of the doors to Colborne Lodge

The one thing that hadn't changed was the beauty of this park, even in winter-time.

I captured a shot of wild grasses blowing in the wind - this photo begged to be post-processed in sepia tones.

If it weren't for John George Howard and his wife, who in the late 1800s donated their country property to the City of Toronto, we wouldn't have the High Park we enjoy today. A visit to the park warrants a stop at their gravesite for a quick prayer and a thank you.

Reading the inscription on the gravesite of John George Howard - the man to donated the land for High Park

One of the local residents at High Park

If you've visited, what's your favourite part of the park?

How to get there:
The best way is to take the TTC Subway to High Park station and walk south of Bloor Street. Entrances for cars are located on the north side at Bloor Street; off of Parkside Drive on the east, and from south at Queensway at Colborne Lodge Drive.


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