High Park is not a velodrome
A coyote crosses the road in fromt of a cyclist at High Park
The High Park Movement Strategy is seeking feedback on recent changes to High Park, many of which are harmful and stressful to wildlife. In this photo sequence, a coyote stepped onto the road, saw speeding cyclists, and quickly retreated. In another photo, a coyote crossed only to be faced with a group of racers. I’ve also watched coyotes dart into the road only having to avoid large groups of cyclists. With off-leash, untrained dogs often chasing wildlife, it’s easy to imagine a coyote forced to cross a road to escape. I know turtles have been killed, and I’ve seen several squirrels and chipmunks struck.
My early mornings in the park have changed since the park began functioning like a velodrome. I am constantly looking over my shoulder due to large groups of racers dominating the roads. I have also noticed much less early morning wildlife in certain parts of the park as a result of the changes. As a cyclist, I value infrastructure that improves safety. But the conversation often lacks nuance: some cyclists behave as if speed limits and shared use don’t apply, while some opponents want cars back throughout the park. The park is not an appropriate space for speed cycling or unrestricted vehicle access.
The often-cited “Idaho Stop” lets cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs. It isn’t law in Ontario, and even if it were, it still requires yielding—something many riders don’t do. Steep hills leading into blind curves make high-speed cycling especially dangerous. I’ve seen riders yell at early-morning park-goers and city staff to clear the road.
Some drivers are no better. Before the vehicle reduction, cars routinely sped through the park; one morning I even saw one doing donuts in the restaurant lot. Wildlife has been struck by vehicles in the park and on adjacent roads. Since spring, three coyotes I know of have been killed on nearby roads—including one on Parkside Drive, where speed cameras keep being cut down.
The park should not be a velodrome nor reopened to vehicles. Please submit feedback for a park that is safe for wildlife and people. The website is: https://haveyoursay.toronto.ca/pr-high-park-movement... and the email is HighParkMove@toronto.ca. You have until October 9th to respond.