Parks, Trails and Natural Areas

With 170 parks, 167 km of recreational trails and 689 hectares of natural areas there's something for everyone to discover and explore.

Discover accessible recreational trails with the free AccessNow app

You can now find seven of our longest recreational trails on the AccessNow app and website. Recreational Trail maps on the app include information on levels of accessibility, surface materials, general grade/slope conditions, access points, amenities (likes benches and washrooms) and parking, so you can plan ahead, navigate the recreational trail systems more easily and have a more enjoyable trail experience. 

The free AccessNow app is available for download on the Apple app store and Google Play. 

This project is a partnership between the City, the Richmond Hill Mobility Accessibility Foundation (RH Mobility) and AccessNow. It is funded by RH Mobility.

Parks and natural areas

Our parks and natural areas feature a variety of amenities including playgrounds, splash pads, basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, a skate park, skate trail, picnic areas and more!

• Search for a park 
• View a list of our most popular parks
• View our Parks and Trails brochure 

Learn about our:

• Park projects
• Off-leash dog areas
• Park opening celebrations
• 2023 Urban Forestry, Natural Environment & Horticulture Achievements

Trails

Our trails are great for walking, running and cycling. They are also a safe, environmentally-friendly way to get around City.

• Search for a recreational trail
• View the Richmond Hill Cycling Map

Trail etiquette for shared trails (pedestrians and cyclists) includes: 

• Please note that during the winter trails may be slippery when snow and ice are present, so proceed with caution. 
• All users (pedestrians & cyclists) keep to the right side of the trail, except when passing another user.
• Cyclists passing to the left of other trail users should slow down to pass, ensure the trail ahead is clear for passing and give a clear signal (voice, bell or horn) before passing. Cyclists should give the person they are passing time to respond and watch for reactions.
• Cyclists should control their speed being mindful that different types of trail users are present.
• Dog walkers keep leashes short to minimize tripping or impeding the movement of other trail users.

Facility Rentals

You can apply to use indoor and outdoor facilities in the community for special events. Complete the online form to book a facility. We will contact you within 5 business days about your request. Another way to book one of our community facilities is to complete one of the following applications:

• Outdoor Sports Field Rental Permit Application
• Outdoor Event, Wedding or Picnic Permit Application

Keep Our Parks Fun for Everyone!

We welcome you to visit City parks from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. You can help keep them safe and beautiful for everyone to enjoy:

• Put litter and household waste where it belongs – please don’t dump in our parks
• Be respectful of others by minimizing noise levels
• Keep pets on leash (unless in a designated off-leash area) and pick up after your pet (stoop and scoop even in natural areas)
• Get a required permit for groups of more than 25 people
• Follow the rules related to barbecues:
  • No charcoal barbecues or barbecues on tables allowed
  • Barbecues fueled by 1lb of propane may be used. Larger fuel cylinders cannot be used without a permit.
  • Keep barbecues 10m away from all facilities and residences
  • Barbecues are not permitted in Lake Wilcox Park 
• Leave at home anything that may cause damage to our natural areas or create hazards/disruption for other park visitors, including:
  • E-bikes, e-scooters and/or other motor vehicles
  • Tents
  • Remote-operated drones
  • Fireworks, cannabis and/or any type of open-air burning
  • Golf clubs (playing golf is not allowed in City parks)  

Motorized Vehicles

Motorized vehicles are not permitted in Richmond Hill parks or on our trails. You will be fined for not obeying our by-law regulations. Protected wilderness areas must be kept safe. View the Parks Use By-law for more information.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed within 20 m of all publicly owned playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, tennis courts and basketball courts under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

Thank you for following these and other rules that protect our parkland and keep it safe and fun for all! For more information on the Parks Use By-law, please visit our By-laws page.