Oshawa Trails
Discover Nature - Oshawa Recreational Trails
The Oshawa trails total almost 22 km of paved surface that provide citizens and visitors opportunities to discover Oshawa's parks, beauty, culture and natural treasures. Both the Oshawa and Harmony Creek valleys have vegetation that is typical of Southern Ontario valley lands. Willow, maple, cedar, ash and cherry blend to form an active ecosystem. Good opportunities exist to discover other native plants such as Jack in the Pulpit, Ostrich Fern and Horsetail. Bird watching and sport fishing opportunities also exist.
Harmony Creek Trail - 3.8 km
The Harmony Creek valley has a significant impact on the Second Marsh ecosystem. The city and volunteers are working together to develop stewardship programs that will enhance the vegetation along the creek valley which in turn will improve water quality, provide migration corridors for wildlife and interpretive opportunities for trail users.
- Donevan Recreation Complex includes an indoor pool and arena for public swimming or skating during scheduled periods. Washrooms are available to the public year-round during operating hours.
- Farewell Park provides the opportunity to watch softball games on summer evenings, shoot some hoops with a friend, play on the playground equipment or enjoy a passive picnic.
- Eastbourne Park offers a variety of opportunities during your summer picnic. Playground facilities are also available.
- Natural Erosion Control has been undertaken in various locations along the Harmony Creek. Bioengineering techniques include creek bed realignment, fish habitat improvement and bank re-vegetation.
- Harmony Creek Diversion Channel was built in 1984 for flood control and is a good example of natural regeneration.
- Remnant Beaver Pond - During the summer of 1991, beavers established their home here and thrilled many local residents with their busy activities.
Oshawa Creek Trail - 6.8 km
The Oshawa Creek is home to the spring and fall trout and salmon runs; truly a spectacular event that everyone will enjoy. Many activities and points of interest are found along or are accessible from the Oshawa Creek Trail. From south to north, you will pass through the following five parks; Southmead Park, Erie Street Park, Storie Park, Rotary Park, Brick by Brick Park.
They provide both passive and active recreational opportunities with facilities such as ball diamonds, soccer fields, playgrounds, basketball courts and at Rotary Park, an outdoor swimming pool.
- Thomas Street Trail parking is available for your convenience.
- Central Collegiate offers an indoor pool with both recreational and programmed activities.
- Bloor Street Trail parking is available for your convenience.
- Downtown Oshawa is easily accessible from the trail. A wooden footbridge over the Oshawa Creek leads to great opportunities for shopping, dining, arts and culture. The Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery, Oshawa Public Library, Canadian Automotive Museum or a tour of the murals and floral displays are certainly highlights. Oshawa City Hall is also accessible from the trail.
- Kinsmen Valleyview Gardens/Kinsmen Memorial Stadium/Children's Arena is a great stop that will provide you with an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking floral displays adjacent to the serene beauty of the Oshawa Creek. A baseball game is often underway in the afternoon or evening hours. The wooden bridge also provides a great spot to watch the spring and fall fish migration. Washrooms are available in Children's Arena during operating hours.
Michael Starr Trail - 2 km
The legacy of the late Colonel the Honourable Michael Starr will live on with the opening of the Michael Starr Trail. The official opening of the trail took place on October 11, 2001, just a short distance from the former home of the Starr family.
The construction of the trail recognizes Colonel Starr's many contributions to the City of Oshawa, and Canada. Through a municipal/provincial partnership, the trail was built on the CN spur line the City acquired from the railway.
The first phase of the development was between Lviv Boulevard and Athol Street, but it will eventually be extended north to Taunton Road. The trail will be a major recreational feature within the City and will provide a linear green corridor through some of the older residential areas, including the area where Michael Starr lived and raised his family. The trail provides people with the opportunity to experience passive recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and green space. It runs through a large portion of the City's urban core and features an asphalt path, tree and shrub plantings, ground covers, benches and landscape entrance features.
Phase two, between Connaught Park and Queen Elizabeth School, is scheduled to be completed in 2002. A cycling/pedestrian route will be established on-street between the two sections of the trail to create links to the downtown area and the trail systems on the Oshawa and Harmony Creeks.
Waterfront Trail - 9 km
Oshawa's 9 km section of the 325 km Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail is marked by distinctive signage and is easily accessible from the Oshawa Creek Trail. The following sites provide a variety of opportunities to trail users:
- Lakefront West Park includes 8 lighted slo-pitch diamonds. Stop to watch a game of slo-pitch or pick up food and drinks from the concession booth. Washrooms are available from May 1 to October 1.
- Pumphouse Marsh - This small marsh area includes two viewing towers and a floating platform at the edge of the marsh for interpretative uses. It is home to a wide variety of birds, wildlife and vegetation.
- Lakeview Park - Fun for the whole family - sports fields, beach, playgrounds, water play, walking paths, bandshell, Jubilee Pavilion, historical museums, treed picnic areas, big ships, pier, food - what else could you ask for. Washrooms are open from May 1 to October 1.
- Second Marsh - This 303 acre wetland area provides great opportunities for nature interpretation. With historical and environmental significance, the interpretative trail and viewing towers allow you to discover nature at its best.
General Motors of Canada Headquarters
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, operated and maintained by General Motors of Canada Limited, offers a number of walking trails including the Dogwood Trail designed to provide interpretive opportunities of the visually impaired.
Trail brochures are available at City Hall, Parks Headquarters, Libraries, Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres at John Street and Northview Community Centre, and the Oshawa Centre Kiosk.
Contact the Facility Booking Office for information on booking trails and parks for special events or contact the Booking Office directly by calling 905-436-3888.
