Enjoy fall fun in Vaughan’s great outdoors!

Sept. 24, 2022 10:00 a.m.
​Trails, parks, cycle paths and more


It’s that time of year when there’s a chill in the air and the leaves are changing colour. What better way to embrace the crisp, cool breeze than by spending it outdoors in your community? Vaughan has many fun activities for you to enjoy – from parks to sports fields, to trails and more!   

Park amenities
The City of Vaughan’s parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy, including:

  • baseball fields
  • basketball courts
  • bocce courts
  • off-leash dog parks
  • outdoor exercise equipment
  • playgrounds 
  • skateboard parks
  • soccer fields
  • tennis and pickleball courts
  • trails
  • volleyball court 

All washroom facilities in parks remain open until Sunday, Oct. 30. Visit vaughan.ca/parks for more information. 

Another fun outdoor activity is to visit Uplands Golf and Ski. While it is privately operated, residents are required to pay to access the amenities. 

Trails and neighbourhood walks
Spend time in nature at any of Vaughan’s trails and neighbourhood walks. Choose from 12 different trails throughout the city: Jersey Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk, Maple Nature Reserve Nature Walk, Marita Payne Neighbourhood Walk, North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk, Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk, Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk, Riverwalk Neighbourhood Walk, Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk, Sugarbush Nature Walk, Vellore Neighbourhood Walk and William Granger Greenway Nature Walk. There’s one for all ages, abilities and comfort levels. 

Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps of top trails. You can also browse the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks throughout the city, the Great Walks of Vaughan walking trail guide (PDF) and the City’s Great Walks of Vaughan map legend (PDF). 

In addition to the Great Walks of Vaughan, Vaughan has many other local trails to explore:

  • The Bartley Smith Greenway: This 15-kilometre trail is a key component of the Vaughan Super Trail. It connects the intersection of Teston Road and Cranston Park Avenue to the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Dufferin Street along the West Don River.
  • William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail): This 5.7-kilometre trail begins at Bindertwine Park in the north and ends in Boyd Conservation Park to the south connecting to major destinations along the way in Kleinburg. 

Learn more at vaughan.ca/trails. 

StoryWalk
Discover StoryWalk – back again this year! As you walk along select City trails, discover large panels showcasing colourful pages of children’s books. With each step, the story unfolds one page at a time in this immersive and interactive experience. StoryWalk is available along the following public trails: 

Mackenzie Glen District Park

  • Book: My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf

Nort Johnson District Park

  • Book: Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson

Lawford Park

  • Book: Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh/This is How I Know by Brittany Luby

Marita Payne Park

  • Book: I Love You More by Emil Sher 

All four books are written by a diverse range of Canadian authors, and VPL partnered with several Canadian publishers to bring the StoryWalk program back to Vaughan.  

The StoryWalk at Sugarbush Heritage Park has finished its run for the season and has been taken down for 2022. The Kortright Centre for Conservation, where StoryWalk first started, will be getting a new book: Blackflies by Robert Munsch. 

If visiting a trail in your area, use the hashtag #LoveVPL on social media and share pictures and videos of your outdoor fun with your community. Remember not to disturb or get close to wildlife. For more details, visit vaughanpl.info/storywalk. 

Cycling
Looking for a trail to ride your bike on? The current cycling and multi-use recreational trails network in Vaughan is growing. 

Here are a few tips to ensure your rides are fun and safe:

  • Before heading out, inspect your bike and ensure all equipment (including tires, helmet, lights and more) are in tip-top shape.
  • Wear layers of clothing and dress according to changing weather conditions, including sunlight, rain showers, wind, etc.
  • Avoid riding through puddles as hidden road conditions, such as potholes, gravel or sand, may not be visible under water.
  • Use proper hand signals, obey traffic lights and stop signs, be aware of your surroundings at all times and be courteous to all other users.

For more information, including safety requirements and rider etiquette, visit vaughan.ca/cycling. You can also explore Vaughan’s cycling facilities in the York Region Cycling Map. 

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