The Toronto city councillor who represents the High Park area says allowing vehicles inside the park during the current cherry blossoms bloom is a non starter.

Gord Perks told The Morning Zoom with Sam and Jane why he’s not open to the idea.

“Five, six years ago, the local superintendent for the local police division came to me and said, either the city closes this park to cars or we will,” Perks explained, “It just got too dangerous with too many people trying to get in and out by car at the same time.”

But well known urbanist and former Toronto mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa told Zoomer Radio News, the solution is to close the Bloor Street entrance to cars, but keep the Parkside entrance open 24-7 and then reduce the speed limit inside the park to 10 kilometres an hour.

“I know Gil, I know him quite well, and he’s a really creative guy, but he just really hasn’t looked at the facts here,” Perks responded, “We have tens of thousands of people who arrive in a very short space of time, tour buses coming in from the 905 region. It’s just not a manageable volume for the amount of space we’ve got there.”

Councillor Perks says he feels the vast majority of people are in favour of banning cars from High Park. But there is an opposing movement to allow vehicles in the park around the clock so everyone has access. You can add your name to a growing petition of 15,000 people by googling High Park Access for All.