No Happy Christmas Events in High Park!

Christmas is on the way, and we are sad to note three beloved events will not happen this year. Lack of access to our public park is the cause….

1.The High Park Christmas Celebration was held on a December Sunday; visitors could visit Santa at the Zoo and join the Christmas Celebration on the Café Patio; families and friends came to enjoy the many activities provided by Children’s Garden, Colborne Lodge, High Park Zoo, Labyrinth, Nature Centre, sponsored by the Grenadier Fund with Hot chocolate, Cookies, Face Painting, Raffle, Roasting Marshmallows, Musical Entertainment, Local School Choirs and Santa with his sack, ending with a Tree Lighting ceremony. 

2.The High Park Zoo's wonderful Holiday Tree event during the month of December with 20 plus trees decorated by local schools and organizations.

3. The Snowflake Walk on a Sunday in December from 5pm to 8pm when the trees were all lit up and Santa came to visit. There were sing-alongs and carol singers strolling through the zoo. 

The High Park Zoo wonderful display of Christmas Trees.

These events are no longer viable!

With the closure of High Park to vehicles on weekends it is impossible to organize, set up and staff events with volunteers within the park.  Without transportation the public cannot easily bring youngsters during cold and snowy weather or access the park when darkness comes, and volunteers are reluctant to walk the distances into and out of the park in the cold and dark….

So, farewell to these wonderful family events, one wonders just what the City Council believes a park is for? The current deterrent policy to park visitors is hard to understand…

John Howard must be turning over in his grave as visitors are daily discouraged after he donated his land  “for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of all citizens”!

Remember when you vote next Fall!         Shame on City Council!

Keep Writing to Mayor_chow@toronto.ca and YOUR Councillor….

Pass on the word to Sigh the Petition High Park-Access For All…www.change.org/equalaccess-highpark