Recreation & Nature
“We love places where we can swim, or golf, or take a hike. It’s
so regenerating. ”
There are all kinds of opportunities to experience nature and participate in recreational activities in Perth County. Conservation area trails, golf courses, tube slides, swimming pools, splash pads, tube slides, skating rinks and cross-country skiing trails offer year-round activities to suit your mood, your age and your inclinations.
North Perth/Listowel
During the summer months, the North Perth Community Trails connect the region’s three wards with a 22-km trail ideal for biking, hiking, running or cycling. In the winter you can strap on your cross-country skis or snowshoes and take in the quiet solitude of the wilderness.
West Perth/Mitchell
Nature lovers will want to can explore the Sawyer Preservation Woodlot, a 28-acre forest ecosystem just southwest of Russeldale that’s a demonstration woodlot, conservation area and that’s home to a variety of bird and animal species. The Thames Nature Trail and Wetland is also a popular destination for birders and nature lovers.
Perth South/St. Marys
The Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys is open to the public and has an accessible, salt water pool. In the summer, enjoy a dip in the cool, green waters of the St. Marys quarry. The Lind Sportsplex offers curling in winter and shuffleboard in summer. Join the free, guided walking tours of historic St. Marys in the summer months and mid-November through December enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride to see the holiday lights. The area is home to several golf courses, one of which is a tube slide during the winter. A few kilometres outside St. Marys is the Wildwood Conservation area, which has a marina, beach, hiking and cross-country trails.
Perth East/Shakespeare/Millbank/Milverton
Join local Amish children for a skate on the frozen stream in Millbank or tour the Dunbar Settlers Cabin in Morningdale Park. Millbank’s Kissing Bridge Trail is a half-kilometre walk known for attracting love birds. The Perth East Recreation Centre includes an outdoor pool, fitness room, playground, ball diamonds and a walking trail. Nature photographers will love the Shakespeare Conservation Area and fishers can try their luck at the Shakespeare Pond – on the cover of this year’s Travel and Tour Guide.
Stratford
Stratford has long been known for its spectacular parklands. Pathways around Lake Victoria are ideal for a walk or a picnic – and for feeding the famous Stratford swans. (Their avian trysts and infidelities have made national news.) The outdoor Lion’s Pool is family-friendly and perfect for lap swimming in the summer. The T.J. Dolan Natural Area includes nature trails and there’s a dog park on Packham Road for canine-carrying visitors. Two local golf courses are also open to the public.
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Thames Nature Trail
• Outdoors
Mitchell, ON
Avon Trail
• Outdoors
Harrington ON N5A 7V4
Stratford, ON, N5A 7V4
Phone: 519-272-2845
Stratford Strolls
• Historical, Outdoors
47 Downie St.
Stratford, ON, N5A 1W7
Phone: (519) 271-5140
Wildwood Conservation Area
• Outdoors
St. Marys, ON
Phone: (519) 284-2292
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
• Historical, Sports
386 Church Street S
St. Marys, ON, N4X 1C2
Phone: (519) 284-0007
St. Marys Arena and Community Centre
• Sports
St. Marys, ON
St. Marys Quarry
• Recreation
426 Water Street South
St. Marys, ON, N4X 1B5
Phone: 519-284-3090
Perth East Recreation Complex
• Family, Sports
40 Temperance St.
Milverton, ON, NOK 1M0
River Valley Golf & Country Club & Winter Tube Slide
• Golf Courses
St. Marys, ON
Phone: 519 225 2329
Mitchell Golf & Country Club
• Golf Courses
81 Frances St. W,
Mitchell, ON, N0K 1N0
Phone: (519) 519-348-8991
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