Boundaries
High Park stretches from Dundas Street West south to the Queensway and Runnymede Road east to Roncesvalles.
History
High Park has a very rich history. The southern part of this area was bought by the English architect John Howard in 1836. Almost four decades later, he handed over his 400-acre property to the city, along with his own residence which is now a museum. This famous house was built in the late nineteenth century for the first mayor of West Toronto. Later in the early 1900s, the area on the northern part came under the city limits. Since then it has been part of the city.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the city opened the doors of this park for the commoners. Around this same time people stated to live in the area. Swansea, a friendly community in the western part of the park has become a township unto itself with its own townhall and public library which happens to be the smallest public library in the city.
Neighbourhood Characteristics
High Park is home to the largest park in Toronto. This neighbourhood has a unique blend of nature and urban development. Clusters of beautiful homes, made of stones and bricks, were built in this neighborhood. There are some exquisite homes in its southeastern part as well. It is the largest synchronized green space in the city including recreational and educational facilities including a museum, zoo, garden and parks.
