High Park was opened to the public in 1876 and is based on a bequest of land from John George Howard to the City of Toronto. In 1836, John Howard purchased a 160-acre property in the County of York, to the west of Toronto, for a sheep farm. It was here that he designed and built Colborne Lodge, to complement its natural surroundings as the residence for himself and his wife Jemima Frances Meikle. The Howards named their property 'High Park' as it was situated on the highest point of land along the Humber Bay shoreline.
After a successful career as architect, engineer and land surveyor for the City of Toronto, John Howard retired to High Park in 1855. In 1873, Howard and his wife agreed to convey their country property of 120 acres to the City of Toronto. There were several conditions to the conveyance, the main one being that the city hold the park "for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the Citizens of Toronto for ever and to be called and designated at all times thereafter High Park".
This cache also lies in an area which happens to be located over a buried river, whose southerly flow begins near Georgian Bay. The watercourse, flowing 50 metres (160 ft) below the surface in pure bedrock, has remained undisturbed for thousands of years.
Happy Caching - enjoy the trails and scenery!
Congratulations to PerfectlyCentered for the FTF!