City of Toronto plans to decide fate of cars in High Park: will they be banned?

BY PAUL JUNOR

For many Torontonians having access to High Park is considered one of the greatest privileges of living in Toronto. Within the last few weeks, there has been discussion regarding the fate of High Park with respect to the possibility of banning cars there.

Currently, High Park is closed to visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, but “remains open to vehicles on weekdays. The group Car Free High Park Coalition is proposing to make the city’s largest and most iconic natural area, High Park, a car-free space. Diane Buckell to Toronto City Council titled, “Keep High Park Open to Vehicles,” on Change.org, launched a petition. As of Wednesday, May 24^th, there have been 4,068 signatures out of a possible 5,000.” Respondents are asked to email the petition to Councillor Perks at councillor-perks@toronto.ca, 311 at 311@toronto.ca and the Deputy Mayor at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca.

The petition notes, “High Park was deeded by the Howards to the City in 1873,” and, “It must be for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of all citizens.” The petition states, “With the park closed to cars, and very limited parking on local side streets, families may have to park up to 2-3 km from the park itself and walk the pavements to reach the park, and once in the park must be able to walk 4-5 km to enjoy the venues.”

Barbara Barranca is particularly concerned that the potential banning of cars in High Park could be an override of legal rights for all Toronto residents. In an email communication on Monday, May 15^th, she outlines her specific concerns. As a resident of Toronto for almost 60 years she states, “Prohibiting or limiting an impressive sector of the population from having access by car is overriding the rights and generosity of Torontonians. It is overriding the generous and legal intentions of John George Howard.”

She is concerned about the legality of the arguments. She posed questions such as:

• What are the statistics of vehicle traffic in the Park for every year and for every time in the day?
• What are the “weekend only” statistics for people traffic (no cars) in the Park every day of every year? Do the statistics justify having the Park permanently closed to all cars for absolutely every weekend on every day of the year?
• Are there statistics with dates for when the Park is expected to be crowded (based on recent years). What are they, what are the dates, and for how long?
• Are there statistics regarding car pollution for the park for every day of every year and every time of the day? Is the argument being presented? What are the statistics that make the argument/complaint valid?

There are other vital questions stated with respect to possibly banning cars such as:

• Have you considered that a Park empty of vehicles is also a dangerous Park?
• Have you considered the many thousands of people who will no longer have access and what it does to the beautiful concept of openness and acceptance for everyone in the city of Toronto?
• Have you considered how it will limit the feeling of attraction and access for thousands of tourists to the Park and to the city of Toronto?
• Have you considered the many additional services that need to be made in order to accommodate persons who will now have to travel significant distances by foot to find needed washroom facilities?
• Regarding road safety, is it really so easy and convenient to turn a blind eye to the high speeds of bike racers on the Park roads?

High Park belongs to the People of Toronto. Banning cars needs to be their choice!