We should all be able to enjoy park

With the permanent closing of the perfectly functioning entrance to High Park off Bloor Street and tak- ing away 60 per cent plus of the parking spots available for the pub- lic in the park, there was no thought to the repercussions that are and will be felt financially or otherwise by the programs and general use that High Park offers.

The newer entrance is off Park- side Drive with no turning lanes into a narrow entrance with dense traffic going north and south. There are turning lanes east and west off Bloor Street, a proper entrance to High Park, and even excellent parking outside the park and good bike lanes on Bloor Street, which took time and money to develop. Now there are big ugly signs blocking the decades-used entrance.

The movement strategy group has decided this park, our park, should only be used if you walk in, bike in or take transit. If you have three children, a stroller and a bike, a picnic, a dog, joining a family gathering, tough luck. Getting to High Park is going to be an issue using transit in Toronto. Apparently, they are thinking about a fared shuttle bus service in the park to take you to your park destination, added drop-off and pickup spots are planned.

These new restrictions on entry and parking in High Park will cause families, groups and people to think twice before deciding to venture to the park because they use a car for whatever reason.

High Parks’ facilities, programs and uses are endless and we should all be able to enjoy the park. High Park has successfully existed with cars, bikes and people for decades. And we have always been able to hear the birds.

Gionilda Stolee, Toronto