The Environment & Infrastructure Services Department is busy implementing the
Trails Master Plan for the Town of Richmond Hill (approved by Council July 4, 2004). The Master Plan contemplates an interconnected Town-wide system providing safe and accessible routes through the Town’s parks and open spaces. According to community feedback received through extensive public consultation, the Town's trail system is one of the most appreciated and popular outdoor recreation services provided by the Town. As well, new trails are the single most requested new outdoor recreational facility by Richmond Hill residents.
Trails Master Plan [PDF]Benefits of Trails Trails are popular and important in Richmond Hill due to the many benefits they are acknowledged to provide, including recreation and fitness, social interaction with friends and family, opportunities to enjoy and experience the Town’s natural areas and by providing residents with walking and/or cycling access to desired destinations within the community.
Benefits of Trails
Trail ConstructionTrails require careful planning to ensure that the ecological integrity of environmental open space lands is sustained over time. In addition, construction of the trail itself must be conducted in a way that minimizes, as much as possible, impacts to the environment. In order to ensure these objectives are achieved Parks staff have developed
Parks and Open Space Trails Design and Construction Guidelines, which provide a consistent and responsible direction for all trail projects.
Walks on the Wild Side

Walks on the Wild Side is an interpretive program developed through a strategic alliance between The Optimist Club of Richmond Hill and the Town of Richmond Hill. It focuses on the Town's Natural Heritage System and is designed to inspire learning about nature and environmental protection, while providing additional recreational opportunities that promote health and well-being. The Walks on the Wild Side program includes a Resource Manual and four guides (see links below) featuring trails in Richmond Hill. The information provided is useful to instructors who lead interpretive nature walks, and anyone else seeking environmental information specific to Richmond Hill. For more information or a FREE info kit, contact
naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca or call (905) 771-8800.