Memories of High Park go back so far, I would need to be hypnotized to remember them. When we first landed in Canada we lived at Roncesvalles and then moved closer to High Park. This was 1957 and I wasn’t even 2 years old. My memories probably started around 5 years old. We visited the park in the summer to see the beautiful gardens and the swans. We skated on Grenadier Pond in the winter. There is also a small zoo, that we didn’t get to today, so I guess I am going to have to go back. I do not remember the cherry blossoms.

This is now my 3rd visit down to see them, once in 2017 by myself, 2018 with my daughter and today with my husband. He was also brought up in Lower Etobicoke (New Toronto) and has lots of memories of High Park (lol none of cherry blossoms). We didn’t think anything about riding our bikes down to the park or to Sunnyside pool which is right on the lake.

A number of Sakura trees were gifted to us from Tokyo in 1959. Some of these trees have doubled their life expectancy with careful pruning and care from our gardeners. I couldn’t believe some of the trees were still standing, so gnarly and only 1 branch left reaching high into the sky. Thankfully there are lots of new young trees being cultivated.

The number of pink blossoms surprised me, they were like a ballerina of flowers, so wispy and delicate. (Oh gosh I am getting flowery lol).

Down the main road by Grenadier pond are the original trees. The ones at the top of the hill had definitely lost a ton of their flowers. The road and grass were a carpet of blossoms. When the breeze came up they were like a snowfall. As we walked down the road, the trees seemed younger and I can only think more protected from the wind, still quite full.

Another memory that surfaced while we were walking the grounds was of the beautiful gardens. When relatives came over from the UK we all went to High Park to see the colours. There is also a maple leaf display of flowers that all the relatives ooohed and aaahed over. lol

Along with the zoo animals, there are lots of birds. It was so nice to see some baby goslings, we are an hour north of Toronto and none born yet. But they are coming. It was still a little chilly today, so these ones are snuggling with mom while dad is on guard. The Lake Ontario ones were jumping and swimming all over the place. Shivers lol.

It is impossible for me to visit the City of Toronto and not take a picture of the CN Tower, the bright blue skies had turned a little more whitey grey, so not as clear a pic as normal.

After our 4K walk we decided to go back to the area where one of our favourite bars/clubs were when we were teenagers. Now it is just row after row of very impressive condos. We did find a lovely Italian (we do love our Italian food) restaurant for lunch. A great way to spend a Friday in May. Retirement is great. Lots of talking of old memories and the making of new ones.