Friends of High Park Zoo

Notice – Zoo Opening Hours

Effective immediately (October, 2020) – Due to COVID restrictions the Zoo will now be opening at 11am every day. This is anticipated to last for the duration that Toronto is in Stage 2, at least 28 days, until mid November. We will update this page as well as Facebook as additional information becomes available.

Update – Llama Pen Activities

Although High Park Zoo is now open, we have made the difficult decision to not operate the llama pen activities for the remainder of 2020. We want to ensure that our visitors, volunteers, zookeepers and animals remain as safe as possible; we do not believe this can be done should the llama pen open under current conditions.

Unfortunately this decision will impact our 2020 fundraising by $30,000. We are raising funds to enhance the Zoo under a phased capital Master Plan. If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a donation at one of the yellow donation boxes located throughout the Zoo or via EFT or PayPal to treasurer@highparkzoo.ca

Thank you and stay safe!

FHPZ

NOTICE – COVID-19 Update

High Park Zoo re-opened to the public on Tuesday, July 14. The Friends ask that you keep your social distance from other visitors, zoo keepers and the animals.

Due to the number of people enjoying the Zoo, the City of Toronto has painted circles to help visitors with social distancing.

Please feel free to drop a donation into one of the yellow boxes placed through the Zoo.

ABOUT FHPZ

Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ) was formed in 2012 to raise the necessary funds to ensure that the Zoo remained open in the wake of City budget cuts for the 2012 and 2013 operating years. With the City restoring operating funding in 2014, FHPZ now looks to raise sustainable funding from individuals, corporations and local businesses to enhance and sustain the Zoo.

Our goal for 2019/2020 is to ask each visitor to donate $2. With over 600,000 annual visitors, a small donation of 2$ will help the Friends raise over one million dollars! The funds will go towards our multi-phased Master Plan, the first project of which is to rebuild the llama and capybara buildings to provide more indoor space for the animals.

FHPZ is a registered not-for-profit corporation created expressly to generate support for High Park Zoo. FHPZ accepts donations directly and through Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, a registered charity.

Please check our calendar frequently for a list of special events at the Zoo. The Zoo is open every day from 7:00 a.m. to dusk. The Llama Pen is open to the public on weekends and statutory holidays, weather permitting, allowing visitors to feed and pet the llamas from 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 2:00 p.m. beginning in April until the end of October.

Animal Species 20+

Facebook Likes 1,800+

Total amount raised $70,000+

Total Volunteers 200+

VISION, MISSION, VALUES

VISION
To ensure there is always a free community zoo in High Park for families to enjoy.
MISSION
To enhance High Park Zoo for the benefit of all visitors by leading activities that engage the community, while promoting education, awareness and fundraising for the Zoo.

PARTICIPATE

DONATE
For information on how to make donations that will support High Park Zoo, please visit our donation page.

There are also onsite Donation Stations in High Park located outside the Llama Pen and the Grenadier Café.

ABOUT HIGH PARK ZOO

ABOUT
Established in the 1893 for deer, the Zoo’s animal paddocks have always been a popular attraction. Today, over 120 years later, the Zoo’s eleven paddocks are home to a variety of animal species from around the world including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle, emus and sheep.