For months we have relied on the outdoors to enable us to gather with others in relative safety. Quality open spaces, trails and parks made the COVID experience more tolerable.
With COVID-19 limiting indoor activities this season, now is a better time than ever to brave the elements and get outside for some exercise! Since our temperatures are variable, the City has planned for winter activities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with, and without, snow.
So bundle up and experience your City in winter! Make sure you maintain a 2 metre (6 feet) physical distance from those outside your group of up to five (5) family members, and wear a mask when physical distancing isn't possible.
Use our interactive illustration to find a winter wonderland near you. And check out the Ten Best Reasons to get Outside this Winter.
**All outdoor winter activities are weather permitting.**
View the illustration in a full size windowView full size
Artwork done by The Charming Place Art by Shelley Szczucki.
Winter Fun
Winter fun and opportunities for exercise await you at Niagara Falls outdoor amenities! Check out our interactive illustration or click the drop down menu for locations.
**All outdoor winter activities are weather permitting.**
❄️ Natural Outdoor Skating Rinks
![Someone skating on an ice rink]()
Natural outdoor skating rinks are available at seven parks across the City, weather permitting. Call the Outdoor Rink Hotline at 905-356-7521 ext. 3399 for information on rink status. Please ensure you have read the Outdoor Skating Rink Rules before going and follow the provincial protocols.
The City of Niagara Falls also has a Neighbourhood Outdoor Rink Program encouraging groups of volunteers to build rinks in additional local parks. If you are interested, please call Recreation and Culture at 905-356-7521 Ext. 3330 for more information.
Be safe and follow rules for use of our outdoor rinks. Check out the listing of Outdoor Skating rinks in Niagara Falls!
❄️ Trails
![Person walking on a trail in snowshoes]()
All 33 kilometers of City of Niagara Falls trails will be open this winter. Maintained trails (plowed) are great for wintery walks and winter cycling. Unmaintained trails are available for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, weather permitting. Try something new!
Maintained Trails
These trails are plowed as needed in winter. Suggested activities walking, running, and cycling
| Trail Name | Access Location(s) and Parking Lots (if available) |
|---|
Fernwood Park Trail | Hendershot Boulevard - On street parking |
Firemens' Park | 2275 Dorchester Road - Parking lot |
Garner Recreational Trail - Garner Neighbourhood | Access at McGarry Drive or Forestview Boulevard Includes Deerfield Park Pathway |
Gary Hendershot Memorial Trail | Cuviello Court On-street parking |
Haulage Road Trail | St. Paul Avenue Parking lot |
Millennium Recreational Trail - John McCall MacBain Pathway | Oakwood Drive parking lot |
Millennium Recreational Trail - Niagara Falls Lions Legacy Pathway | Stanley Avenue Parking lot |
Millennium Recreational Trail - Paisley Janvary - Pool Pathway | Portage Road parking lot |
Millennium Recreational Trail - Rotary Storywalk Pathway | Petit Avenue on street parking at Carolynn Park |
Millennium Recreational Trail (Canada 150 Pathway) | Royal Manor Drive- On street parking |
Olympic Torch Run Legacy Trail | Queen Street - On street parking |
Warren Woods Recreational Trail | Mulberry Drive - On street parking |
Niagara Parks Niagara River Parkway trail | Fort Erie to Niagara on the Lake |
Unmaintained Trails
These trails are not plowed in winter. Suggested activities include winter hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, weather permitting
| Trail Name | Access Location(s) and Parking Lots (if available) |
|---|
Chippawa West Storm Water Pathway | Tallgrass Avenue - On street parking |
Edgewood Woodlot Park Pathway (Garner Recreational Trail) | St. Michael Avenue - On street parking |
George Bukator Trail | Parking lots closed |
Hunter's Creek Trail | Mann Street - On street parking |
Laura Secord Commemorative Trail (Part of the Bruce Trail) | Dorchester Road parking lot or Mewburn Road On-street parking |
NS&T Trail I - III | Various |
Heartland Forest Trails | 8215 Heartland Forest Road
View COVID-19 protocols at www.heartlandforest.org |
❄️ Indoor/Outdoor Walking Tracks
![Walking Track]()
Indoor walking tracks at MacBain Community Centre and Gale Centre are currently closed. For more information, visit the MacBain Centre and Gale Centre pages.
The outdoor track at Oakes Park will be open as weather permits.
| Location | Type | Address | Notes |
|---|
Gale Centre Pad #1 | Indoor Walking track | 5152 Thorold Stone Road | Advance reservations required - when open. |
Oakes Park | Outdoor Walking track | 5700 Morrison Street | Open 6:00am to 9:00pm, when the weather is cooperative, and the track is not under snow. |
MacBain Community Centre | Indoor Walking track | 7150 Montrose Road | Advance reservations required - when open. |
❄️ Road Hockey Play Surfaces
![Kids playing hockey]()
During the Provincial Emergency Order, organized game play is not permitted.
The following parks have built-in hockey nets and lines for ball hockey games, enjoy - weather permitting. No need to yell Car! Please ensure you've read the Outdoor Ball Hockey Rink Rules before going.
| Location | Access |
|---|
AJ McKinley Park | Crysler Avenue - On street parking |
FJ Miller Park | Valient Street - On street parking |
Gale Centre | 5152 Thorold Stone Rd - Parking lot |
Glengate Park | Pettit Avenue - On street parking |
J.N. Allan Park | Kalar Road - Parking lot |
Ontario Park | Ontario Avenue - On street parking |
Riverview Park | Sarah Street - Parking lot (line paint only - no nets) |
Theresa Park | Gail Avenue - On street parking |
❄️ Tobogganing
![People on a toboggan]()
Tobogganing is the quintessential winter experience in Canada, a beloved family pastime for generations. Enjoy a safe tobogganing experience, by following these Tobogganing safety rules.
| Park | Notes |
|---|
Firemens' Park | For all users |
F.H. Leslie Park Valley Way | For small children only |
❄️ Off Leash Dog Parks
![Dog rolling around in the snow]()
Open all season. Dog park internal paths will be maintained for our two and four legged friends.
| Name | Location | Notes |
|---|
Niagara Falls Dog Park | Firemen's Park (2275 Dorchester Road at Mountain Road) | Parking available Paths maintained |
Niagara Falls Bark Park | Niagara Falls Humane Society (6025 Chippawa Parkway, near Stanley Avenue) not shown on map | Parking Available Paths maintained |
❄️ Walking Tours
Park playgrounds at 55 locations will be open all winter long! And snow is a great vehicle for creative play for kids! Use your local park and make snow angels, snow forts, snow people, or whatever else they can imagine!
Outdoor fitness equipment will remain open, and tennis nets will remain up at John N. Allan and Chippawa Lions Parks for winter tennis.
Outdoor COVID Precautions
If you're looking for things to do this winter, outdoors is better than indoors! If you choose to participate in outdoor activities:
- stay home if you are feeling ill, even if you have mild symptoms, or if you are in quarantine or self-isolating
- keep two metres of physical distance from anyone you don't live with
- wear a face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained, or where one is required
- avoid high-touch surfaces and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer
- taking part with members of your own household is best
Check with Niagara Region Public Health for any additional information, restrictions or health measures you should follow.
Availability and access to amenities may change with any new COVID restrictions that the Province of Ontario puts in place.
