Parks and Play

A new waterfront park on former industrial land beside the Chaudières Falls, on the Voyageurs Pathway in the heart of Gatineau. It looks across the Ottawa River toward Parliament Hill and sits close to the Canadian Museum of History, Jacques-Cartier Park and Kìwekì Point. It is a free public space to relax by the river and learn about its cultural landscape.

A small island park in the middle of the Ottawa River, reached from the Champlain Bridge, known for its sunsets, sunrises and river views. It has picnic areas, river access points, accessible washrooms and a two hour parking lot open 7 am to 10 pm. It is also a key stopover for migrating waterbirds. Entry to the park is free; the snack stand and tubing rentals are paid extras.

This 4 km² nature park follows both banks of the rivière Etchemin from the St. Lawrence to Saint-Jean-Chrysostome. With the Sentiers La Balade it offers trails for walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, mountain and fat biking, a winter sliding area and a 5 km multi use path along the river. Free to enter, with a main entrance at 2686, rue de l'Abbaye.

Near the bridges, this park shows off the 35 m Chaudière Falls, which you can watch from a suspended footbridge 23 m above the river or from several lookouts. There are 4.5 km of trails with interpretive panels, picnic areas and an outdoor fitness circuit. Free, open daily from 5 AM to 10:59 PM, with free parking at 3300, rue du Parc-des-Chutes (Charny) and 1930, route des Rivières (Saint-Nicolas).

Overlooking the St. Lawrence, this 24 hectare former estate of Québec's lieutenant governors offers woods, remarkable gardens, an arboretum, a playground, heritage buildings and over 3 km of walking paths. It is a free public park open all year from 5 AM to 11 PM, and leashed dogs are welcome. Parking is free evenings and weekends but paid on weekdays during the day.

A green oasis along the rivière Beauport with a 6.5 km walking trail, cascades, fossils in the sedimentary rock and remains of old mills, breweries and an 18th century dam. South of autoroute Félix-Leclerc there is also a bike path, and the trail is cleared (not groomed) for winter walking. Free, open daily from 6 AM until dusk, with free parking north of avenue des Cascades and near rue Clemenceau.

This 19 hectare natural park sits on a sandy plateau with a raised rocky escarpment that gives lovely views over Québec City and the south shore. It has 3 km of marked trails through a mature sugar maple and beech forest, picnic spots, and snowshoeing in winter. Free, open daily from 6 AM until dusk, with street parking on boulevard du Loiret and boulevard Jean-Talon.

A wild stretch of wooded Lake Ontario shoreline in the Kipling and Lakeshore area, with a network of paths, wetlands and rocky points looking back at the skyline. It is one of Toronto's top birding spots, home to many plants, trees and wildlife, and in winter it also has a figure eight skating trail. Open year round and free.

A peaceful lakeside park just east of Ontario Place on the Martin Goodman Trail, planted as a living memorial with a Royal Oak marking the coronation of King George VI surrounded by a ring of maples. Engraved markers beside many trees honour Canadian military units, and the lake views are lovely at any season. Open year round and free.

A lakeside park at the foot of Parkside Drive with a playground full of toy dinosaurs, an accessible wheelchair swing, an ornamental fountain and a wading pool for summer. The Martin Goodman Trail runs through it, and carved wooden Hungarian memorial posts stand near the water. Open year round and free.

A large park in northeast Scarborough with a paved path that loops around a pond, open lawns and a picnic pavilion. The playground was renewed in 2022 with swings, a group swing and play structures for ages two to five and five to twelve. Main entrance on the south side of Steeles Avenue East; open year round and free.

One of Toronto's biggest parks, a green valley in Scarborough where Highland Creek winds between many mature trees and footpaths. Families come for the picnic areas, playground and splash pad, and the trails link to the Meadoway and the waterfront. Enter from the west side of Morningside Avenue between Ellesmere and Lawrence; open year round and free.