Cherry Blossoms in High Park

My wife and I recently went to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Trees and go for a good walk at High Park.  It is one of our favorite parks in Toronto.  Unfortunately, it was overcast all morning and my hopes of getting some great pictures was dashed.  Also, this year the blooms came out later than usual because of the harsher and longer winter we had.  They normally are in blossom at the end of April/beginning of May.

Cherry Blossom Trees - High Park

Further, the trees started to go in bloom the weak prior and with the winds and several days of rain it also caused the trees to be more barren than years past when we visited.

Cherry Blossom Tree - High Park

Some Quick Facts about Cherry Blossom Trees:

• Cherry Blossom Tress (in Japan 'Sakura') are known for their beauty and elegance.  They are a good omen and sign of Spring.
• In 1959, as a gift from Japan the first Cherry Blossom tree was planted at High Park.  In 2001, 34 more additional trees were donated by the Government of Japan.  

Plaque Commemorating Cherry Blossom Trees

• Cherry Blossom trees have a short blooming period (less than two weeks) and approximately one after the blossoms appear ('kaika'), full bloom occurs ('mankai').
• In Japan, they eat the blossoms and leaves.  They are used to enhance the flavor of confectioneries and buns.  Also, as a tea at special events and festivities.  However, they can be toxic in large quantities because they contain Coumarin; which is harmful to the liver and kidneys.  
• 'His Worship' Mel Lastman now can enjoy retirement knowing that he is not the worst Mayor in Toronto history and his verbal gaffe's, out of wedlock affairs and bastard children are nothing compared to our current worship 'Rob Ford.' 

Cherry Blossom Trees High Park

Tips for Enjoying Cherry Blossoms and High Park:

• Get to the the park early.  We arrived at 10:00 am and got one of the last parking spots.  I'd suggest arriving at 9:30 or instead taking the TTC and getting off at High Park Subway Station.
• Parking can also be found on many of the side streets surrounding the park.
• Bring your SLR Camera and have some fun taking photos.

Cherry Blossom Trees - High Park

• Wear comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting a little muddy from the trails.
• Don't be 'Johnny' picnic under the Cherry Trees.  It is certainly poor manners and of course people are going to give you dirty looks and openly complain about you. I give two thumbs up to the photographer who set his tri-pod with his camera and cannon sized lens right next to the obnoxious family.
• We noticed the Police and Parking Enforcement out in full force; so I imagine respecting the laws and rules of the park would be a good idea.  I'd keep Fido on his leash and keep your beverages discreet.  

Nesting Swan - Grenadier Pond

Things to do around the Park:

• For the children there is ample to see including small Zoo (Llamas, Deer, Emus, Goats, Yaks, Bison, and Peacocks) and the Castle playground.  The latter is probably one of the best in Toronto and makes me want to be eight again.
• High Park also has a very large off-leash area and we just enjoy watching the dogs play.  I'm always impressed with a dog who can catch a Frisbee mid-air with a jumping leap.  

Swan - Grenadier Pond

• Visit the swans and walk along the shores of Grenadier Pond.
• See the flowers around the park and the central garden.

Tulips at the Main Entrance

Things to do outside the Park:

• Our favorite fancy grocery store Cheese Boutique is only a few block away, just off of the South Kingsway at 45 Ripley Avenue.  A great place to buy cheese, deli meats, pates, chocolate, gourmet cookies, and preserves.  The service is phenomenal and you can easily spend a fortune on some tasty treats.
• Just north of High Park is the Junction neighborhood (Dundas West and Keele St) and there are several good restaurants.  A little further north also is very tasty micro-brewery called Junction Craft Brewery.  Try some samples and see what you like.  You can easily walk out with a growler of great beer. 
• To the South-West is Humber Bay Park at the mouth of the Humber River.  It is also a great place to walk around and you have an amazing view of the CN and the downtown core.  

The Best Photo of the Day:

Trilliums in High Park 

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  What's your favorite park in Toronto?

My 5 Favorite Places to enjoy the Fall Colors in Toronto

The fall is now here and it is my favorite season of the year. I personally love watching the leaves change color, the cool breeze and being outdoors without being sweaty. Over the years I have made an effort to better know Toronto neighborhoods and its various parks.  Based on my own tastes I have ranked my favorite places to be in the Fall and outdoors for a few hours. 

1) Rouge Valley

Located on the opposite side (East side) from the Toronto Zoo this park has more than 20km of properly maintained trails.  You can choose to walk along the valley top or on Rouge Rivers edge in the valley below.  The views up top are exquisite and when you are down next to the river the city fully disappears. You can hear and see lots of wildlife and if you are quiet you might just sneak up on a deer. The crowds have yet to discover this park and it is going to undergo many changes as it becomes Canada's next urban National park.

For more information: http://www.rougepark.com/

Pros: Large size, long trails, quiet, 3 parking lots and lack of crowds.

Cons: No public washrooms or other amenities.

Rouge Park in the Fall 2011

Rouge Park in the Fall 2010 

Rouge Park in the Fall 2011

2) Guildwood Park

Located on Guildwood Parkway off of Kingston Rd this park is a repository of statues and monuments from old Toronto buildings now demolished.  This place is popular for shutterbugs and wedding photographers alike.  It was once the home of the Guildwood Hotel, but now it lies in ruin. Situated at top of the Scarborough Bluffs about 2.5 km of trails at the top or you can take the access road and walk several kilometers along the lake Ontario's edge.

Fore more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildwood

Pros: Statues and Monuments, view at top of Scarborough Bluffs, lots or Parking

Cons: No amenities and public transit is distant by bus.

Guildwood Park

Guildwood Park view from the Bluffs

3) Edwards Garden and Sunnybrook Park

Located at Lawrence Ave E and Leslie St this park has both manicured gardens and recently renovated trail that follows Wilket Creek South.  Edwards Garden is one of the places for wedding photos and even into the fall on a Saturday you could see half a dozen wedding parties.  My wife personally likes to see from a distance the latest in bridal and bridesmaid fashions.  Sunnybrook park also has countless spaces for picnics and a large sports field.  

Edwards Gardens is also the home of the Toronto Botanical Gardens.

Pros: Gardens, paved trails, and amenities.

Cons: Busy parking lot and crowds.

Edwards Garden Waterfall

4) Hogg's Hollow

Located Southeast of Yonge St and Yorkmills Ave just behind the Miller Tavern.  This is just a scenic neighborhood at the bottom of the valley on both sides of the West Don River.  You can see countless nicely designed homes and behind them tree lined valley walls.  Walk to the ends of both Plymbridge Rd and Donwoods Dr and all the other small dead-end streets. My wife and I have walked around numerous neighborhoods and what differentiates this neighborhood is the lack of through traffic.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoggs_Hollow

Pros: Scenic, lack of traffic and quiet.

Cons: Finding parking if the nearby tennis courts are full.

Hogg's Hollow - Bridge Crossing West Don River

5) High Park

Located at Bloor St W. and Parkside Dr. this park has about 10 km of maintained pathways, a small zoo, great playground and large off leash dog area.  It is great to walk around Grenadier Pond to see the swans and to stroll thought the large dog area to see the dogs at play.  Lots of trees to see fall colors and in the spring you have the Cherry Blossom trees. Make a second stop for some gourmet groceries at nearby Cheese Boutique.   Too many tasty things to name in this store.

For more information: http://www.highpark.org/

Pros: Ease of access by Subway, amenities, great playground, small zoo and nearby restaurants on Bloor West.
Cons: Finding parking and crowds.

High Park Maple Leaf

One of the trails at High Park

Honorable Mentions:  

Forest Hill neighborhood at St. Clair and Spadina Rd, Rosedale neighborhood at Yonge Ave and Roxborough Dr., Ashbridge's Bay Park (see my review) at Coxwell Ave and Lake Shore Blvd East, and the Toronto Islands. 

Do you have a favorite place?  Please tell me.  My wife and I are always looking for great places around the city.