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Recreation: Parks in Markham |
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Markham Parks
Markham maintains more than 175 parks, from urban parkettes like Church Street Parkette on Main Street Markham, to neighbourhood gathering places like Millennium Square in Unionville, to large-acre Town parks like Pomona Mills in Thornhill. The Town of Markham maintains 212 sports fields, 83 baseball diamonds, 126 soccer pitches, 2 cricket pitches, 1 rugby field, 97 playgrounds, 15 tennis facilities, 1 skate park, 22kms of scenic pathways suitable for walking, jogging, and biking (2007). The Pathways provide access to some of the most beautiful areas in Markham.
If you woul dlike to book a Sports Field / Park for any social event or birthday party, please contact the Town of Markham directly at 905.477.7000.
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Leash-free Dog Parks
 Contacts: Launch Website
Currently Markham's only Leash-free Dog Park, it is open 24 hours a day, and welcomes dogs and people of all kinds (though puppies under four months are prohibited for vaccination reasons). The facility is fenced, handicapped-accessible, and offers tables, water, and bag dispensers for collecting animal waste.
The Miller Avenue Off-Leash Dog Park is located at Miller Avenue and Rodick Road in Markham and is overseen by the Miller Avenue Off-Leash Association. |
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Markham Village Parks
Located on the south side of Major Button's Drive, south of Hwy 7, and west of Wootten Way.
This park is also associated with William Armstrong Public School and contains two baseball diamonds, a playground, and two soccer fields.
Located on the south and north sides of Raymerville Drive, just west of Snider Dr.
This park has been restored to regenerate the area as a more diverse natural area. Planned and planted by the Robinson Creek Restoration Committee and local schools, the park is home to many species of birds. A looped pathway and bridge makes this area accessible for bird watching.
Located on the east side of McCowan Rd and south of Hwy 7.
This park is the largest park in Markham. It is bound by thick forest on the southern and eastern edges with the Rouge River running through the middle. Over two kilometres of trails are suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling. Milne Park is a stop-off point for many migratory birds, and can be best viewed in the early mornings and evenings during spring and fall.
Fishing is allowed with a MNR fishing permit (available at bait shops and Canadian Tire stores). The park is open for vehicles from 8:00 am until dusk from Victoria Day weekend until Thanksgiving. Admission to the park is free during the week. A parking fee is charged on weekends and statutory holidays.
Located on the north side of Fincham Ave and east of Wootten Way.
This park contains a ball diamond, two soccer fields, and one playground.
Located on the southeast corner of Parkway Ave and George St.
This park is home to the Markham Lawn Bowling Club and Morgan Pool (public and outdoors). It also supports athletic activity with its baseball diamond, playground, and two tennis courts.
Located on 16th Ave, east of Hwy 48, adjacent to Brother Andre Catholic Secondary School.
This park has an outdoor skating rink in winter. The adjacent community centre houses a large indoor ice rink operating from September to April, an indoor soccer facility, and a boardroom.
Located on the east side of Paramount Dr, between Fincham Ave south to Church St.
The waterway of this park is a tributary of the Rouge River, with nearly 1km for pathways. A small toboggan hill is located at Parkway Ave and Paramount Dr.
Located on the north side of Raymerville Dr, west of Beck Dr,
This park features a baseball diamond, a playground, and soccer field. The walkway system connects to Springdale Park.
Located on the north side of Raymerville Dr, just west of Beck Dr.
This park is a mature semi-wild woodlot of cedar, maple, and beech trees.
Located on the east side of Wootten Way N, south of Ramona Blvd.
This park is home to the Markham Tennis Club and public sports fields including three baseball diamonds, playground, six tennis courts, and three soccer fields.
Markham's Skate Park is not a secret for avid teens in the area – the park is always packed!
Markham's 15,000sq.ft. outdoor skateboard park is open to the public. Features include a full street course with fun boxes, 8 step and 3+3 step stairs, flat banks, ledges, walls, and more. Test you skill in the 6' bowl with 6' spine, elevator, and tombstone. Only skateboarding and in-line skating are permitted. All users should wear safety equipment, including helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards designed for skateboarding. The park is unsupervised. Users of this facility do so at their own risk. Use allowed in daylight hours only – the park is not lit for nighttime use.
The skateboard park is located at the west side of Centennial Community Centre on Bullock Drive at McCowan Road, just north of Markville Shopping Centre.
Located south of 16th Ave, inside the Raymerville St Loop at the end of Norwich Dr.
This park also includes open space and provides a wonderful mature woodlot and several recreational options such as the playground, a soccer field, and four Bocce courts.
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Milliken Parks
Located on Aldergrove Drive south of Denison Street. This park is bordered by Aldergrove Public School and St. Benedict Catholic School. The park has benches, walkways, a baseball diamond, a playground, two small soccer fields, and one full-sized soccer field.
Located south of Denison Street and west of McCowan Road at Armadale Community Centre. This park has one baseball diamond, a playground, two soccer fields, four tennis courts, and a limited basketball court, all connected by a pathway system. The park is home to the Armadale Tennis Club.
Located on Birchmount Road just north of 14th Avenue. This park contains a woodlot and pathway for strolling and/or jogging.
Located on the north side of Denison Street at Mallory Avenue, just east of Kennedy. This park contains a baseball diamond, a basketball court, a playground, and a picnic area.
Located on Elson Street, east of Middlefield Road. This park contains a baseball diamond, a soccer field, a basketball court, and a natural woodlot.
Located at Highgate Drive, east of Birchmount Road. This park has one lit baseball diamond, a playground, one soccer field, and six tennis courts.
Located on Elson Street, across from James Edward Public School. This park holds a baseball diamond, a soccer field, a playground, a waterplay area, walkways, benches, and a drinking fountain.
Located south of Kennedy Road and 14th Avenue. This park is bordered to the east by the Milliken Mills Community Centre, a McDonalds's restaurant, and Milliken Mills High School. It features five lit baseball diamonds, five soccer fields, a playground, a water play facility, two basketball courts, and a Bocce court. In addition, it has playgrounds and picnic areas.
Located on Risebrough Circuit, north of Empringham Crescent. This park has two baseball diamonds and a picnic shelter.
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Thornhill Parks
Located on the southeast corner of Bayview Avenue and Sycamore Drive, north of Thornlea Secondary School. This park also serves as a water reservoir for the Thornhill Community. Adjacent to the Thornlea Secondary School, there are tennis courts and an indoor pool. The park also has five soccer fields, two baseball fields, a playground, and ample parking.
Located north of John Street, east of Leslie Street, and east of R. J. Clatworthy Arena. This park has two lit baseball and soccer fields and a large playground. It is the home for the Thornhill Soccer Club and Thornhill Baseball League.
Located south of John Street and west of Leslie Street. This natural area park is part of the German Mills Creek system. Within its walking area, a gazebo commemorates the Millennium.
Located on Grandview Avenue, west of Henderson Road. This park has two baseball diamonds, two lit tennis courts, a playground, and a woodlot.
Located on Huntington Park Drive, east of Lambert Road. This park has one lit baseball diamond, two soccer fields, junior and senior playgrounds, pathways, and a naturalized area.
Located on the north side of John Street, east and west of Henderson Avenue. This park is part of the East Don Valley. It has a soccer pitch, a playground, pathways, and is home to the Pomona Valley Tennis Club.
Located on the north side of Royal Orchard, north and south of Kirk Drive, and east of Baythorn Drive.
Located on the east side of Green Lane, east of Leslie Street. This park is located by Little German Mills Creek, and has a playground and one soccer field.
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Unionville Parks
Located north of Highway 7, south of Austin Drive, between Kennedy By-pass and Bullock Drive. This park contains a portion of the Rouge River, a wooded area, and two water bodies – the larger one to the east known as Waldon Pond. It is a forest regeneration area with pathways for walking, running, and bird watching.
Located south of Carlton road, west of the Village Parkway.
This park has a lit baseball diamond, a soccer field, a playground, and nine tennis courts.
Located on the northwest corner of McCowan Road and Bullock Drive, it is adjacent to Centennial Community Centre and north of Markville Shopping Centre.
This park features two lit ball diamonds, one soccer field, and two play areas.
Located east of Crosby Community Centre, this park is bordered by Parkview Public School, Crosby Memorial Arena & Community Centre, and the Unionville Curling Club. It features three baseball diamonds and a soccer field.
Located north and south of John Button Boulevard, south of 16th Avenue. This park is an open space with pathways that connect from Apple Creek to 16th Avenue.
Located beside the Markham Civic Centre at Town Centre Boulevard and Highway 7, this park features a reflecting pond, fountain and extensive pathway system.
Located on Waterbridge Lane, north of Heatherwood Crescent. This park is bordered by St. Matthew's Catholic School and combines a baseball diamond and a soccer field at the north end of the park. A natural area is located to the east.
Located on Carlton Road, west of McCowan. This park has junior and senior playgrounds, a soccer field, and pathways.
Located between Carlton and Kennedy, behind Unionville Public School. This park features a naturalized pond and marsh. A path circles the pond.
Located at 18th Avenue and Woodbine Avenue.
This park has two baseball diamonds and a playground.
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February 2007 – Markham maintains more than 175 parks, from urban parkettes like Church Street Parkette on Main Street Markham, to neighbourhood gathering places like Millennium Square in Unionville, to large-acre Town parks like Pomona Mills in Thornhill. The Town of Markham maintains 212 sports fields, 83 baseball diamonds, 126 soccer pitches, 2 cricket pitches, 1 rugby field, 97 playgrounds, 15 tennis facilities, 1 skate park, 22kms of scenic pathways suitable for walking, jogging, and biking (2007). The Pathways provide access to some of the most beautiful ares in Markham. |
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January 19, 2006 – There was considerable discussion surrounding the operation of the proposed Dog Leash Free Committee, and the involvement, if any, of Council in the process. There was concern that notice should not be limited to those households within 120m (400’) of the park boundary. There was also concern as to how votes would be tabulated, and who would do the tabulation. There was a suggestion that 70% approval would be nearly impossible to attain. The Committee suggested that as well as written notice, signage indicating a park is under consideration for a leash free area might be installed on park grounds.
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the following recommendation regarding the dog off-leash areas and the following tabled motions to amend be deferred to a future meeting of General Committee, at which time City of Mississauga Councillor P. Saito, the Chair of Leash Free Mississauga, and Members of the Community Issues Committee be invited to attend and provide further information:
“That the staff report dated January 9, 2006, entitled ‘Dog Off-Leash Report’, be received;
And that Council approve the “Town of Markham Parks Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog Off-Leash Areas” attached as Appendix “A” which were endorsed by the Community Issues Committee on August 15, 2005;
And that Council approve a Volunteer Dog Off-Leash Program permitting volunteer associations to install, operate and maintain Dog Off-Leash Areas on Town owned lands subject to the conditions and criteria outlined in the “Town of Markham Parks Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog Off-Leash Areas” (Appendix “A”);
And that the Clerks Department be authorized to advertise for volunteers to form an umbrella group referred to as the Leash Free Markham Committee, who shall organize and represent all local Dog Off-Leash Groups.
And that upon formation of the Leash Free Markham Committee, the Leash Free Markham Committee will review all requests for new Dog Off-Leash Areas on Town owned land;
And that proposed Dog Off-Leash Areas shall be brought forward by the Leash Free Markham Committee for review and consideration by Town Staff once all of the criteria set out in Appendix “A” has been met;
And that for each Dog Off-Leash Area that is approved the Leash Free Markham Committee and the applicable Dog Off Leash Group be required to enter into the appropriate agreement(s) with the Town to the satisfaction of the Town Solicitor and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute such agreements on behalf of the Town;
And that Dog Off -Leash Areas in new parks be considered as they are brought forward through the Development Services Commission’s public consultation process for new parks subject to the same guidelines and approval process as other Town lands through the Leash Free Markham Committee process;
And that the ORC/HYDRO Corridor Lands located at Highway 48 and 14th Avenue not be considered as a possible location for a Dog Off-Leash Area at this time;
And that no further consideration be given to leasing land for a major Dog Off-Leash Area outside the urban area at this time;
And that Town of Markham By-law 167-92, being a By-law for the General Maintenance and Regulation of Parks within the Town, be amended to allow dogs to be off-leash in approved off-leash areas in Town parks;
And that the Leash Free Markham Committee be responsible for all costs related to the implementation of all Off-Leash Areas including fencing, parking, water, washrooms, furniture and any other amenities proposed and funded by the Committee or groups and approved by the Town.
And further that a capital account be established in the amount of $39,000 with funding provided from the surplus in the 2002 Parks Department Capital Project – Sportsfield Maintenance & Reconstruction (account #059-5350-4800-005) for the upfront funding required for Dog Off-Leash Areas to be repaid by the Leash Free Markham Committee over a maximum of a 5 year period and the need for additional funding be reviewed annually as part of the budget process.”
• That the composition and terms of reference for the Dog Leash Free Committee be brought to Council for approval;
• That the notice area be expanded to 1000’ from the park to be considered for an off-leash area;
• And that staff also consider erecting a temporary sign at the park indicating that the park is being considered for an off-leash area.
• That the Leash Free Committee be responsible for distributing the surveys and tabulating the results.” |
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November 23, 2005 – As some of you may know, I have been pursuing the topic of a dog park with various other Cornell residents for several months. Although my personal interests in this project are primarily due to an incident between my child and a large charging dog, I do sympathize with dog owners as open land for proper dog exercise is quickly shrinking. The use of small parkettes for unofficial off-leash areas has also brought about an unfortunate divide in Cornell. Realizing a demand, the Town of Markham set to alleviate some of these issues out of necessity and for safety.
I had the privilege of speaking with John Webster, our Ward 5 Councillor, on November 9th. He had an update about what has been considered and achieved for a dog park so far:
For the last two years, The Community Issues Committee at the Town of Markham has been meeting to establish the parameters of a pilot dog park in East Markham. Their studies have taken them all over the GTA, finally choosing to model the East Markham Dog Park after an existing park located in Mississauga.
For dog owners, garden enthusiasts, and parents with young children, the good news is that everything pertaining to the establishment of this dog park is nearly set. "The Dog Park hasn't been approved by Council as of yet. However that is a formality as I think (we) all are in agreement. There are still a few of the usual legal and technical hoops to be vaulted," said John Webster in a follow-up email. Furthermore, a plot of cost-effective land, a minimum of 5 acres, is needed. The Town of Markham is investigating several undisclosed locations, the final decision to be released to the public at a future date. Once acquired, the land will be the permanent-temporary solution until Cornell's 40-acre park (east of Bur Oak Avenue) is designed and constructed. In the forecast of the next 10 to 15 years, the large park will then have a portion permanently designated for off-leash dog use.
• the park will cater to visitors from all over – large areas of Markham and east of Markham
• despite the multitude of land 'available' in Cornell, location is dependent on the accessibility of traffic throughways
• location must have sufficient parking close to the entrance of the dog park
• location must be situated separate from residential lands
• location will NOT be a conversion of an established recreational park-for-people
• Town of Markham will donate fencing and 'some' grass maintenance
• a dog club or canine organization is expected to govern the park on a volunteer basis, independent from the Town of Markham
• this club will be responsible to run fundraisers for park equipment such as hoops, jumps, benches, etc.
Until the East Markham Dog Park becomes accessible to the public, please consider how you can make this pilot project a success! Here's to the Town of Markham, The Community Issues Committee, and to masters who are never too pooped to stoop! See you at the park!
Article by SWilson
©2005 All Rights Reserved. |
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