On July 1, 2024, Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park became our newest provincial park, and we’re excited for our park-loving community to fall in love with this space!
That said, a new provincial park – especially our first urban provincial park – takes a whole lot of careful thought and planning. Now that the park management plan is in place we are taking a gradual and phased approach to park operations and any new park development.
So if you are planning a visit, please check back to this space for up-to-date information about what’s available and how to plan a smooth, safe, and sustainable day:
Planning a day trip to Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park? Here’s what you need to know to have a fun and frustration-free visit:
- What’s new in the Uxbridge story?
- Where is this park, exactly?
- What can I do at the park?
- Do I need to pay to visit for the day?
- Where can I park?
- What are the park hours?
- Can I stay overnight?
- Can I bring my dog?
- Is there a place to have a picnic?
- Can I have a campfire?
- Can I hunt in the park?
- Can I ride my dirt bike or all-terrain vehicle in the park?
- Are there ticks or Poison Ivy in the park?
- Where can I learn more about the creation of the park?
1. What’s new in the Uxbridge story?
Now that the parks has a management plan, we are looking for opportunities to add publicly or privately owned lands, initially within the Township of Uxbridge, to expand the park boundary.
The latest news? We’re hoping to add 23 acres (9.4 ha) to the park’s northern boundary this year!
As well as more trails and protected land, this addition may also allow us to build a parking lot. This would be a big help considering the limited spaces currently available. We may also be able to put in washrooms and information kiosks.
We have been working closely with our partner organizations – including the Township of Uxbridge, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, The Schad Foundation, The Regional Municipality of Durham and Green Durham Association – to identify lands that could be added to expand the park boundary in the future.
Should new lands be identified for protection, the province may pursue regulating these lands and adding them to the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park. Any new park land additions to the provincial park would require consultation with the public and Indigenous communities.
For more information, check out our project page.
2. Where is this park, exactly?
Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is located within the Township of Uxbridge and is a unique park within our system, consisting of individual parcels rather than one big piece of land.
3. What can I do at the park?
Access, parking and recreational activities is limited while we continue to plan for development.
That said, feel free to take a stroll!
We are offering access to a few short trail loops and a handful of parking spots for self-guided activities like walking, hiking, running, and biking.
Please stay on the marked trails, and remember: this is a new park, with its staff and systems still being developed. Take good care of this space, and leave no trace if you visit.
4. Do I need to pay to visit for the day?
Access and recreational uses are limited at this time. Visitors are not required to obtain a daily vehicle permit to park and access the designated trails.
Operational decisions for the park (including fees) will be addressed after the park management plan is in place and through park operational planning.
5. Where can I park?
Limited parking is available at 565 Old Stouffville Road (six to eight parking spaces) and 579 Old Stouffville Road (four parking spaces).
For public safety please do not park along municipal roads.
If the parking area is full, consider visiting another time or another of the local trail networks and recreational areas including:
- Township of Uxbridge Trails
- Durham Regional Forest (Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority)
- West Duffins Headwaters Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
- East Duffins Headwaters (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority)
- Ontario Nature Trails near Uxbridge
- Trans Canada Trail
6. What are the park hours?
The park is operational all year for day-use visits (sunrise to sunset).
Please be safe and plan to be off trails before dusk.
7. Can I stay overnight?
Camping, overnight stays, campfires, etc. are not permitted at this time.
Sibbald Point Provincial Park is located nearby and offers overnight camping.
8. Can I bring my dog?
Definitely! Please keep your dog on a leash (no longer than 2 m).
Don’t forget to pick up after your pup. Please dispose of doggie bags in the garbage can at the entrance of the park, or take home with you.
9. Is there a place to have a picnic?
Picnic tables and benches can be found throughout the park. There are currently no picnic shelters.
10. Can I have a campfire?
Fires are not permitted anywhere in Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park.
11. Can I hunt in the park?
Hunting is not permitted on any of the park lands.
12. Can I ride my dirt bike or all-terrain vehicle in the park?
Use of off-road motorized vehicles is not permitted on any of the park lands, e.g. all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), dirt bikes, snowmobiles, etc.
13. Are there ticks/Poison Ivy in the park?
Ticks are common throughout Ontario, including at Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park.
To protect yourself from Lyme Disease, follow these safety tips.
Poison Ivy is prevalent in the park. Avoid it by staying on trails and keeping a close eye on kids and pets.
14. Where can I learn more about the creation of the park?
We’re thrilled to share the process of creating Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park with our visitors and fellow parks-lovers!
Check our project page for updates.
