Gardens & Parks
With beautiful scenic landscapes, sprawling green spaces to play, trails to walk and hike, and picnic areas to relax in, our gardens and parks have something for everyone.
Gardens in Burlington
Explore Canada’s largest botanical garden, the Royal Botanical Gardens, featuring over 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) of breathtaking gardens and spectacular nature sanctuaries. Tour the world’s largest lilac collection, the recently restored Rock Garden, 250,000 iris blooms, the refurbished rose garden, and a Mediterranean Garden under glass. While there, visit the Gardens’ gift shop and three on-site restaurants or have a picnic in paradise.
Also, Central Park has a beautiful rose and perennial garden in front of the band shell and the Central Public Library on New St., as well as community garden plots behind the Central Arena. Paletta Lakefront Park has walking trails and perennial gardens right along the waterfront. Take note of the Rhododendrons along the entrance walk donated by our sister city Itabashi, Japan. Then, there’s Maple Park, a community garden in the northern corner of the park near Mapleview Centre on Maple Ave maintained by the local Horticultural Society.
Our Instagram-Worthy Gardens
Waterfront for All Seasons
Burlington’s waterfront is a wonderful place to explore in all seasons. Fall is a great time to bike along the 23 km Waterfront trail and see the colours in our many waterfront parks. Paletta Lakefront Park is also particularly beautiful during this time of year with its mature maples and Discovery Trail along the creek. During the winter, snow and ice build up along the promenade so heed the signs closing access at The Waterfront at Downtown Burlington. You can enjoy skating on the Rotary Centennial Pond from December until March, weather permitting. Winter is also the time that you can spot trumpeter swans at LaSalle Park Marina. In spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom in spencer smith park donated by our twin city Itabashi, Japan. In summer, enjoy the miracles of water at the Dofasco Waterjet Plaza. Catch the wind with your model sailboat at the Rotary Centennial Pond. Imagine a magical adventure at the playground. Walk the soft sand beach at Beachway Park to the canal where you can watch freighters coming into the bay. The waterfront is a destination that offers visitors a place to discover, celebrate, play and relax.
Parks in Burlington
Take in Burlington’s beauty from above at City View Park. Located on top of the escarpment overlooking the city, his 165-acre park has walking trails, a pond, wetlands, naturalized areas and a playground. It is also connected to the Kerncliff Park, which features a wooden boardwalk through the marsh-like setting, and the Bruce Trail. The City of Burlington has many well maintained parks with various features such as playgrounds, sports fields, picnic tables, and more.
Don’t leave your furry friend at home. The City of Burlington maintains four off-leash dog parks where dogs can run free. Bronte Creek Provincial Park also has two leash-free areas for visitors and campers to enjoy. At Conservation Halton parks pets are allowed but they must be kept on a 2m leash. There may be other restrictions depending on the park. Pets are admitted free to the Royal Botanical Gardens outdoor garden areas and must be leashed at all times.
Our parks also make perfect venues for events and celebrations. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Conservation Halton Parks, Country Heritage Park, and Bronte Creek Provincial Park all have picnic facilities available. Lowville Park, Hidden Valley Park and LaSalle Park both have picnic facilities available as well.
If you want exclusive access to these picnic areas, you need to book in advance online with the venue.