7 Canadian parks to enjoy this summer

Ontario

1. High Park (Toronto, ON)

High Park is Toronto's largest public park and it offers tons of sunny day activities:

• Lakeside trekking
• Sports facilities: Tennis courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields
• Diverse flora
• Dog park
• Mini-zoo with llamas, buffalo, bison, deer and peacocks
• A large playground, for children and toddlers
• Restaurants
• Greenhouses
• 18 designated picnic sites

Covering 161 hectares, this beautiful park is a true gem in the southwestern part of Toronto.

Western Canada

2. Mount Douglas Park (Victoria, BC)

The largest urban forest on the Saanich Peninsula, Mount Douglas offers an awe-inspiring 360-degree view of Victoria. Hike its network of trails all the way up the mountain and all the way down to the beach area across Cedar Hill Road.

What if hiking isn’t your thing? No problem! You can drive up the mountain and walk to one of the two peaks to enjoy the view. Dogs are allowed, except on the beach and playground.

3. North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System (Edmonton, AB)

Spanning from Edmonton to its neighbouring communities, the river valley and park systems comprise 150 kilometres of trails and 22 parks. Encompassing over 7,300 hectares, it’s the largest urban green space in all of North America.

It offers tons of activities: walking, biking, fishing, canoeing (canoes can be rented), paddle-boarding, rollerblading and so much more. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, to relax in the shade of a tree or for birdwatching.

4. Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (Saskatoon, SK)

Why not spend a day at Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo? Formerly a tree nursery, today this historic site is an ecological wonder.

It’s home to carefully crafted gardens, restored heritage buildings and a nature-themed playground for kids. It’s also home to Saskatchewan’s only CAZA accredited zoo, where visitors, young and old, can enjoy over 300 animals—mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and more.

Québec

5. Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies (Montreal, QC)

The Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies is one of eight wildlife parks in Montreal, located in Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, on the eastern tip of the island. It takes its name from the cities where it is located.

This parc is a 261-hectare wonderland for birdwatchers and naturalists. The Bois-de-l'Héritage part is home to the only mature woodlands east of Mont Royal, whereas the Rivière-des-Prairies part is home to marshes and glades. The park also connects the Des Prairies River to the St. Lawrence.

Montrealers flock to this park to admire its beauty, do some birdwatching and walk its 14 km of trails. The Maison Bleau house, a true rustic Quebec home built between 1851 and 1861, is also a popular attraction.

Atlantic Provinces

6. Irishtown Nature Park (Moncton, NB)

Irishtown Nature Park covers 890 hectares, making it one the largest urban parks in Canada. Its diverse ecosystem of forest and aquatic habitats includes 4.7 km of surfaced trails, ideal for walking and biking, as well as 6.9 km of footpaths.

Popular among birdwatchers, naturalists as well as school and community groups, this park is perfect for people of all ages as it is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Boating enthusiasts can take non-motorized boats on the lake and history buffs will enjoy visiting the Tankville School, a refurbished one-room schoolhouse. Its main floor is home to a museum and community gathering space.

7. Point Pleasant Park (Halifax, NS)

Halifax’s flagship woodland park, Point Pleasant is 75 hectares of land crisscrossed with 39 km of easy walking trails and wide paths. It’s the perfect place for jogging!

The 3.4 km waterside path is prized for its view of the port, the woods, the beaches and the 18th-century cannons. The ruins of several forts, its coastal ecosystem, abundant natural resources and swimming (unsupervised) make it a return destination for many. This place is also home to the oldest Martello Tower in North America, the Prince of Wales Martello Tower.