Waterfront Parks in Burlington
Burlington, Ontario is an amazing place to call home
& taking advantage of the lake is a big perk of living here!
With 8 Waterfront Parks running along the shoreline of Lake Ontario,
there’s a wide range of things to do depending on where you go
& I'm excited to explore them with you 🧭
Keep reading to learn more or check out the video below if you'd rather take a tour 🎬
Let’s kick off with this 14(ish) acre park space that offers a
winding path to wander while taking in the panoramic views of Lake Ontario.
It's paved throughout & very level which is
wonderful for accessibility 🙌
With a few retirement homes nearby
& a protected nesting space for the at-risk Bank Swallows...
this park space was designed to be a little bit slower-paced,
where you can come to enjoy your time,
take a stroll to enjoy native plants & relax lakeside in the
beautiful neighbourhood of Elizabeth Gardens
Paletta Lakefront Park is often referred to as the
Jewel in the Crown of Burlington’s Waterfront Parks...
An absolute must-visit any time of year!
The Estate home is 11,000 sq. ft of restored grandeur set among
mature forests, expansive lawns & 14 Acres of waterfront green space in the Shoreacres Neighbourhood.
The Mansion & grounds are also
available to rent for events!
While there is no playground, there is still a lot to explore!
• A mix of stone (220m or 725ft) & dirt (1,070m or 3,500ft) walking trails known as "Discovery Walk". Meander the lawns, through the forested lot, along the shoreline & over pedestrian bridges.
• Plaques along the way describe the life of the McKay family who built the mansion in 1931 - depicting summers in the pool, riding horses that were kept in the stables on site, tennis games & social gatherings.
• There's a playhouse that was built in the early 1930s that featured running water & electricity!
• With a water refilling station & puppy bowl, you can keep hydrated while you explore (located at what once were the stables), but the bathrooms on site are not always open to the public.
• Purchased by the City of Burlington in 1990, the restoration took place with the help of a lot of locals & was renamed Paletta after the family contributed substantially to the fundraising efforts. It reopened in 2000 & is a designated historical site (protected by the Ontario Heritage Act)
• The straight path to the east of the mansion was created by the McKay family to allow locals access to the lake through their property... today the space is naturalized to allow rare species of plants & animals to enjoy their habitat in the middle of the city.
• With benches throughout & a rocky beach overlooking Lake Ontario, Paletta Mansion is worth a visit any time of the year! (Be sure to keep an eye out for the endangered Trumpeter Swans who call the beach & lawns home - but remember DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE)
Sioux Lookout is the 1st of 3 Window on the Lake Parkettes
we'll be covering here in Burlington.
Sioux Lookout is in the
Roseland Neighbourhood
& offers a walkway down to the stone/sand beach where Tuck Creek enters Lake Ontario.
These Parkettes are small park spaces with very limited access & amenities...
They are essentially a window for anyone meandering by & aren’t really intended as destinations; unless you’re looking for a quiet moment of reflection across the water or a short stroll along part of the Waterfront Trail.
There are NO Washrooms or Playgrounds, but the
small beach,
large rocks,
picnic tables
& water fountains
offer a few different ways you could utilize the park.
Port Nelson Park, the 2nd of 3 Window on the Lake Parkettes we'll be exploring in Burlington...
While this one did have a playground at one time, it was taken out during the summer of 2020 in preparation for the overhaul that is currently underway!
Right now
Port Nelson Park is under construction as the shoreline repairs will continue into the Summer of 2023 with the
new playground planned to be installed in 2024.
Port Nelson Park is located at the end of Guelph Line on the border of Roseland & Central Neighbourhoods... historically this location was a key feature in the economy of one of Burlington's predecessor settlements - known in the early 1800s as Port Nelson home to one of the busiest ports on Lake Ontario!
These Parkettes are small park spaces with very limited access & amenities...
There are NO Washrooms or Playgrounds currently. no access down to the water & for the time being, the park is closed for renewal.
Downtown brings us the flagship of the
City of Burlington parks system...
Spencer Smith Park!
Spencer Smith is the heart of Downtown Burlington's appeal
- with multiple special events throughout the year, the
iconic Brant Street Pier & so much more, I can't wait to share this versatile park space with you!
Let's start off with the iconic Brant Street Pier...
Extending 137 meters over Lake Ontario, the
"S" shaped pier is topped with a circular lookout platform featuring the
12-meter tall beacon that changes colours to reflect local events, holidays or not-for-profit organizations.
Offering views of the shoreline, downtown & Lake Ontario...
The pier is a must-visit if you're taking a trip downtown!
One of the best parts about this location are all of the
great restaurants nearby adding countless options for how you spend your time at Spencer Smith Park!
Grab some
takeout for a lake-side picnic or head to one of the restaurants for those spectacular lake views...
On the west end of the park, you'll find the playground (with epic zip line), splash pad, Rotary Pond (for hobby boats/skating) & Discovery Landing.
No matter the time of year, there's something
to do at Spencer Smith Park!
From strolls along the promenade, taking in one of the many annual festivals & concerts, skating on Rotary Pond in the winter, to enjoying time together on the expanse of lawns -- there is something for everyone!
Just around the corner from Spencer Smith Park's west end is Burlington Beachway - a natural wonder created by the sandbar that connects Burlington to Hamilton along the shores of Lake Ontario.
Now it is a pay-to-park affair & with the increased volume of visitors, parking is strictly enforced so don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Locals, you can park for free... Get your free parking pass here -- locals are entitled to 10 free visits through the summer so save yourself the cost & make the most of our amazing beach! 🏖
Beachweay Park Beach is about to undergo a revitalization... in fact, there's been a little bit of progress each year as the City invests in our unique sandy beach!
This is a natural treasure in the City of Burlington & is a part of the largest bay mouth bar in Ontario (being around 7km in length). Being the ONLY dune habitat in Halton, it supports a number of rare & endangered species, so please stay on the marked paths.
There were quite a few homes along here at one time (as well as
an Amusement Park 🎡 which you can
learn more about in the video
below), but the high risk of flooding has brought about the revitalization with a
focus on naturalizing the dunes to native species
that can withstand the harsh conditions the sandbar presents.
Notable features of Burlington's Beachway Park...
• Beach Shack - with an assortment of food, treats & cold drinks, pop by the Beach Shack for a snack!
• Bathrooms, Showers & Water Refilling Station located at the Beachway Pavilion
• The Accessibility Access to the beach is also located at the Beachway Pavilion
• Beachside Playground with some of the coolest climbers in the city!
• The naturally sandy beach extends out into Lake Ontario & slowly gets deeper meaning it's great for young kids to splash around & build their confidence. ALWAYS CHECK WATER QUALITY BEFORE SWIMMING HERE
• The paved Waterfront Trail continues along connecting directly to Spencer Smith Park to the north & takes you all the way to Confederation Park in Hamilton to the south
• Beach Rentals - the historic pump house was built in 1909 & played an important role in Burlington's growth as it pulled water from the Lake for locals to use. Now, this building is home to a seasonal business which offers recreation rentals to beachgoers!
• Burlington Beach Catamaran Club is located further south towards the lift bridge - offering locals a great location to store & launch their catamarans
• Along the south end of the beach, is Burlington Canal which was created to provide access for ships to access Hamilton's protected shoreline.
A large pier extends along both sides of the canal & creates an interesting perspective to take in the beach, the large ships that pass by, the lift bridge in action & Burlington's iconic Skyway Bridge. (so long as public access remains)
Stay tuned for an update once the
rejuvenation of Beachway Park has been completed!
Bayshore Park is Burlington's 3rd and final Window on the Lake Parkette.
Located in Aldershot, Burlington's largest urban neighbourhood - this is a quaint stop on Burlington Bay's shores. Without many amenities & being one of the smallest of the waterfront parks, it's rarely busy here.
Do note, the view across the Bay is mainly the industrial sector of Hamilton, but you can still see the Skyway Bridge & the escarpment across the bay.
We are certainly saving the best for last here, at least in my opinion…
so without further adieu say hello to La Salle Park!
Set into the rolling hills of the northern shores of the bay, this is a multi-use park space with a little bit of something for everyone.
Forest trails in the city, waterfront views from the marina, wading pool + playground, & so much more... it's an all-in-one park space!
With the waterfront of the Bay, it's tempting for some to go into the water.
But please do not swim here & absolutely do not feed the ducks or swans.
You are truly hurting them with your kindness & they are endangered so please help them by
NOT giving them any food.
Some features worth noting...
• Playground
• Walking trails with varying elevation
• Waterfront boardwalk
• Hills for tobogganing
• Baseball Diamonds
• City run Wading Pool with splash pad
• Marina with boat launch & sailing school
• La Salle Banquet Hall for stunning rentals with an open-air level & enclosed level
• Public Washrooms
• Two Bocce courts (located on the northeast side of the parking lot on top of the hills)
Being a very unique habitat, this part of the bay has always been important for the diverse wildlife here. As the waters are cleaned up with new efforts & legislation, there has been an added focus on helping to reestablish the ecosystem here...
• Nesting location for the Trumpeter Swans brought back from the brink of extinction
• Home to numerous animals, plants & rare species
• Submerged reefs & shoals to create protected areas for spawning habitats
Please keep the fragile ecosystem here in mind when you visit.
There has been a lot of effort put in to protect this space
& find a balance for locals to enjoy for many years to come!
There's a bonus park called the Laking Garden & being a part of the Royal Botanical Gardens, this is the only one on the list that you'd need to pay to enter.
It's a 4-acre plateau overlooking the Grindstone Marsh on the northwestern shore of the bay.
It’s a quiet space with an assortment of paths & gardens to explore with trails below that meander along the marsh making it the perfect place for bird watching or exploring in the sheltered valley during the winter.
Its main attractions are the variety of Iris displays, but there are also many other plants to take in... including a traditional medicine garden.
You'll often find
train lovers gathering at the bridge
over the tracks for the close encounter experience with a gorgeous backdrop!
Thanks for exploring & getting to know our wonderful waterfront parks here in Burlington, Ontario
If you're ever thinking about a move around the area, please reach out --
I love connecting & chatting about real estate!
Until next time, keep it Genuine 👋
Rochelle Edwards, Broker
The Genuine Blog
