Get Outside! Our Favourite Mississauga Parks to Take the Kids

04/28/2019

Jack Darling Memorial Park – photo courtesy of Mississauga.ca

Spring has arrived, Easter and Earth Day are behind us, and the sun is shining! I just love this time of year, when the whole summer stretches ahead, filled with endless opportunities to spend more time outside. Where better to enjoy the outdoors than in one of the many glorious public parks to be found in the Mississauga area? We’re fortunate to be surrounded by so many nearby parks, making for an easy escape from the hustle-and-bustle of work- and home-life.

• Jack Darling Memorial Park
  • No list of great Mississauga parks would be complete without this gem. From multiple spacious and well-equipped playgrounds, to the waterfront trail meandering along the lake, a splash pad, and the sand beaches dotting the shore, this is an all-time favourite lakeside destination for Mississauga families. A great off-leash park means you can bring the family dog, too.

• Erindale Park
  • Erindale Park is massive–in fact, it’s the city’s largest park at 222 acres, located on Dundas St. near Mississauga Rd. The park is a popular destination for cycling, group picnics, and hiking, with many trails along the Credit River. While the playground is a little outdated, the spaciousness, river-side setting and great facilities more than make up for it.

• Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
  • Every time I visit Rattray Marsh I feel like I’ve been transported from Mississauga to Muskoka. This park literally is a hidden gem, accessible only via Jack Darling Park in the east or on foot via residential neighbourhood side streets in the west. The park is a superb spot to teach children about wildlife, with birds, deer, and more calling the marsh home. A real highlight is the lovely raised boardwalk through the marsh and along Lake Ontario.

• Meadowvale Conservation Area
  • This lovely conservation area in the north-end of the city offers picnic areas with BBQs, nature trails for hiking and cycling, and bird-watching. Bring some rods and let the little one’s try their hand at fishing.

• The Riverwood Conservancy
  • Located in central Mississauga alongside the Credit River, Riverwood is a unique all-season destination of woodlands, meadows, ravines and wetlands. Stunning gardens, woodland trails, wildlife spotting, on-site heritage buildings, and gorgeous views will keep the little ones entertained.

• Kariya Park
  • A peaceful haven in the middle of the city centre–literally, a stone’s throw away from Square One and the Civic Centre–Kariya Park was created to honour Mississauga’s twin-city relationship with Kariya, Japan. Families will love taking a trip to Japan for the day; the Japanese-inspired architecture, pond, zen-like gardens, and spring-time cherry blossoms will delight.

• Lakefront Promenade Park
  • This park is amazing for families! A giant splash pad, playground and sandbox are highlights, and other amenities include a protected harbour with marinas, outdoor licensed patio and grill, boardwalks, picnic shelters, a beach area, cycling paths, and concession facilities.