Latest Updates
Re: High Park Movement Strategy
Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ) has been hearing from those wanting to visit the Zoo on weekends but are finding the park closed to vehicles. Often, they have left and not been able to visit the animals.
FHPZ endeavours to provide events and programs that are accessible to everyone. It has been our experience that, with the park closed to vehicles on weekends, this is not possible. We have had to cancel some planned events due to not having access for our volunteers to bring in the needed supplies.
FHPZ does not support complete road closures in High Park on the weekends as this restricts access for many people.
The City of Toronto is hosting an online survey that runs until Friday, August 19th. This provides some options for controlling the traffic in the park from eliminating vehicles completely to opening the park up to vehicles as it was before April 2020 when the city first prohibited vehicles on weekends. Please feel free to provide your input.
There is also a petition asking the City of Toronto to reopen the park to vehicles. Please feel free to sign the petition and leave a comment. These comments are being provided to City of Toronto staff.
Current Hours and Gate Access
May, 2022 – Our current opening hours are 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
The Zoo can be accessed via both the north gate and the east gate.
COVID social distancing guidelines remain in effect: please keep a 2 metre distance from other visitors and zoo workers to allow them to perform their work safely.
Llama Pen Activities 2022
We will provide an update on our 2022 llama pen activities as soon as possible.
We continue to raise 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 here.
Thank you and stay safe!
FHPZ
High Park Zoo Awarded $2.6M in Project Funding
April 13, 2021: Friends of High Park Zoo (FHPZ) is pleased to announce that, in partnership with the City of Toronto, $2.6 million in Government of Canada and Province of Ontario infrastructure funding has been secured for our $3.6 million High Park Recreational Trail Improvements project in High Park Zoo. Read more
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.
FHPZ is still raising funds towards Phase 2 of our multi-phased Master Plan. This phase will include the removal of the asphalt roadway and concrete curbs, the installation of bioswales, rain gardens, raised beds, the planting of more trees and the expansion of the Bison enclosure.
FHPZ is a registered charity created expressly to generate support for High Park Zoo. FHPZ accepts donations directly; more information is available here.
Please check our calendar frequently for a list of special events at the Zoo. Our hours of operation are available here.
PARTICIPATE
For information on how to make donations that will support High Park Zoo, please visit our donation page.
There are also Yellow Donation Boxes located in the Zoo.
ABOUT HIGH PARK ZOO
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.
HELP US OUT. JOIN US AS A VOLUNTEER.
Become a VolunteerLatest News
Name the new Highland calf, a girl, born to Heather and Fergus on June 22 – Poll
Announcing the new Highland calf, a girl, born to Heather and Fergus on June 22.The winning name will be announced on Jul 17, 2022. Subscribe to stay in the loop with our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming events. [...]
High Park Zoo’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)
You are invited to join us on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM for Friends of High Park Zoo's Annual General Meeting (AGM). This year, the AGM will be held virtually via ZOOM and in person. Details are below. The AGM is an important step in [...]
Name the new Highland calf born to Bluebell and Ferguson on April 13- Poll
Announcing the new Highland calf born to Bluebell and Ferguson on April 13. The winning name will be announced on May 6, 2022. Subscribe to stay in the loop with our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming events. [...]
FHPZ is Seeking Board of Director Nominations
Friends of High Park Zoo is Seeking Qualified Board of Directors Applications from Eligible Candidates are due Friday, May 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. ET Seeking experience in Legal and Governance, Fundraising and Grant Writing, Development and Project Management (Construction), Event Planning, Communications and Media Up to Three Directors to [...]
Thank You For Your Support!
During this unprecedented time, as the physical distance among us becomes greater, so too, does the importance of shared experience. When this is behind us, our work of inspiring connection, curiosity and new understanding will continue in earnest, as will our contributions to the fabric of our community. We thank you for your support and understanding, and ask that as individuals, families and communities, we continue to pull together.
