Free High Park Zoo, playgrounds, children’s gardens, Nature Centre, Colborne Lodge historic museum, 30-minute scenic ride on a trackless train, wading pool, splash pad, outdoor pool, ice rink, tennis courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Tel: 311 (General information line) Website
Ages: All ages
Major Intersection: Bloor Street West & Parkside Drive
Address: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON
Good to Know
- The free zoo has bison, deer, llamas, peacocks, cattle, sheep, and more.
- Jamie Bell Adventure Playground has castles, ropes, swings, ladders, and slides.
- Children’s gardens (organic education garden) is a 2009 David Suzuki Digs My Garden Contest award winner.
- The Nature centre offers free family nature walks, year-round educational programs, and birthday parties ($).
- The 30-minute scenic ride on a trackless train weaves through the park, picking up other passengers along the way. (Operates seasonally.)
- The wading pool has a large playground right next to it.
- The outdoor pool has a wide shallow entry for children.
- Washrooms can be found in the outdoor pool or in Grenadier Restaurant.
- Free parking.
- See High Park map.
If you make an inquiry, please mention that you saw this listing on the Melanie On-The-Go / Kids On-The-Go website. Thank you!
Want to give your two cents?
Share your thoughts below with other parents, caregivers and management. Only the rating and your child's age are mandatory, the rest is up to you!
Activities We Did:
We love this place! We can wander through the trails alone for hours with our dog. The playground is gorgeous (still mostly often after the fire) and the zoo is fun to walk through (llamas, bison, peacocks, emu).
Good to Go!:
Lots to do and see — animals, playground, trail walking, scooter, bike. Parking is challenging near the sports fields but it’s never taken us longer than 5 min to find a spot.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Could use cleaner bathrooms but it is a free, public park so it’s expected.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 4/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
The park is huge and has 2 parks with traditional swings, slides, etc. The one constructed by local parents that looks like a castle complex is the more interesting. A great park to walk in.
Good to Go!:
I’ve been coming to this park for over 40 years and started taken my daughter when she was just a baby. The park has some nice events (Shakespeare in the Park, Harvest Festival, wreath making at Colborne Lodge, etc.). The park is well maintained, but there are some wild areas and a dogs only off-leash area. It’s a park for all ages. Old men are seen playing chess.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Parking is limited.
Quick Tips for Others:
High Park holds summer camps for kids. During the summer there’s a little train that takes people around the main highlights of the park (you have to pay for a ride). Great for picnics, sports, swimming, skating. The Grenadier restaurant is a very reasonable place for breakfast or lunch.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Good to Go!:
- I like the zoo especially the wallabees! It’s small but not as small as some petting zoos on nearby farms!
- The cafe is reasonably priced. I had 4 eggs, bacon, toast, home fries and an iced tea for $6!
- Lots of parking by the zoo and the cafe.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 4/5
- Value: 4.5/5
Good to Go!:
Great park with tons of activities for young kids, plus it’s all free!
Quick Tips for Others:
In the winter, many of the bathroom facilities are closed, so if you have someone toilet training, bathroom breaks require some planning!
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3/5
- Value: 5/5