High Park received its name from Toronto’s first surveyor, John Howard. In 1836, he purchased the area of High Park south of Bloor Street and he called it ‘High Park’ because of its magnificent perch that looked out onto Lake Ontario. In 1873, John Howard deeded his High Park Estate to the city of Toronto. John Howard’s old home is still in High Park and it has been renamed Colborne Lodge.

The northern part of the High Park community, that which is north of Bloor Street, was once a part of the town of Toronto Junction. Both the northern and southern sections of High Park saw much new residential development after World War I when the section of Bloor Street that runs through the High Park area was widened and rebuilt.

Today, High Park is a very desirable neighbourhood of Toronto in which to live. Many young people and new families live here as well as many High Park lovers.