Best Parks in Markham for Easy Hikes and Forest Therapy

The City of Markham is located north of Toronto and home to 350,000 residents. The local secret is that there are some truly amazing parks in Markham – some well-known and others not so much.

Whether you're looking to get out for fresh air, trying to stay active, wanting to explore new trails, find your spot of serenity, learn more about 8 of our favourite parks in the city.

8 of the Best Parks in Markham

Markham is a thriving suburban city with incredible diversity, growing neighbourhoods, and also tons of shops and restaurants. Perhaps the most underrated feature of Markham are its green spaces.

We've covered the best parks in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Scarborough so it's time to dive into the best parks in Markham.

As you discover these parks, you'll also see a truly unique theme come through which is that Markham has doubled down on the forest therapy (aka Shinrin Yoku and forest bathing).

Lastly, something you might not know is that the City of Markham is a subdivision of York Region which is why you'll find trails listed on their page as well.

Milne Dam Conservation Park

The 305-acre Milne Dam Conservation Park is Markham’s largest park. The park got its name from the Milne family who operated a mill near the dam in the 1820s.

It is part of the Rouge Park Trails Network with Rouge River nestled in the middle of its lush forest, along with its beach.

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This park is excellent for walking, jogging, cycling, and bird watching. You can even fish here with a valid Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) fishing permit. 

If you wish to hold events and gatherings in picnic areas for large groups, a permit is required. There are nine picnic sites of varying sizes to accommodate your party, do note that the admission fee is not included with the site fees.

TIP: While the official entrance is the most convenient, there are multiple local neighbourhood accesses to the park. The best places to park are along Drakesfield Rd. or Riverview Ave. and walk in.

Rouge Valley Trail

Rouge Valley Trail is a very popular park among locals and this trail is one of my favourites in Markham. The hike is a one-way route and is amazing for easy walking, dogs, families with strollers, and bikers. What makes it so great is that it's a mix of smooth pavement or packed gravel.

A unique feature of this trail is that there is a 1.8 km section that's considered to be a Forest Therapy Trail. What is Forest Therapy you ask? It’s a Japanese practice called Shinrin Yoku also known as Forest Bathing. This is a well-marked walk through the forest where you'll encounter 6 “invitations” along the way. Each invitation is accompanied by a sign with a guide on how to slow down and take in the nature around you.

A full list of all Shinrin Yoku trails in Markham can be found here.

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The park consists of many styles of bridges, forest trails, viewpoints of the Rouge River, a highway 407 underpass, boardwalk, and tumbling mini-cascades. The dynamism of this trail is what you'll come to appreciate. From winding trail along the river to the wilderness of a thick forest, you'll get to see a little bit of everything here.

There are two major entrances to this part of the trail. The most convenient is the parking lot that adjoins with the Markham Green Golf Club and community centre. The other is along Tuclor Lane on the northern end where there's an easy stretch of street parking that many people use.

TIP: While Google Maps shows that the trail simply ends on the northern end, it does in fact continuing along until it hits Markham Road. From here, you can easily connect this hike with Milne Dam Conservation Park.

One thing to note is that if you're starting from the southern end, the trail follows the public 9-hole golf club closely. People have made various access trails to the green but the official trail never joins with it.

Depending on the time of year, you might even spot trout or salmon swimming in the Rouge River.

Springdale Park

This 27.2-acre park is a special one! Springdale Park and Valley is the first ever designated Gift Institute of Forest Therapy (GIFT) trail in Canada. It’s a trail that gives you an opportunity to connect with your surroundings.

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This Shinrin Yoku or forest therapy trail invites you to have a therapeutic immersion with the forest through its 6 “invitations”. Interact using your senses, listen to the birds, touch the trees, smell the air, and look all around you. All this was made possible with joint efforts from the City of Markham, Greenbelt River Valley Connector Program, and Parks People. 

While this isn't a very large park, the forest trail gives you a respite from the business of the city and with its babbling creek, wood bridges, and incredibly tall trees, reconnect by disconnecting here.

South of Springdale Park connects to the Cedar Valley Park, also a nice walk with plenty of shade.

Bob Hunter Memorial Park

Bob Hunter Memorial Park is named after Robert Hunter, a Canadian environmentalist, journalist, author and politician. His work compasses bans against commercial whaling and nuclear testing. 

The trails have a rural natural scenery, and they are part of the Rouge National Urban Park where you'll find Ressor Way/Tanglewood Trail, Tallgrass Trek, Monarch Trail (which also has a cycling accessible section). You’ll be able to hike alongside the beautiful Little Rouge Creek on parts of the trail as well. If you do visit this park in the winter, you’d want to have proper footwear. 

Please note: There is a trail closure that impacts the Reesor Way and Tanglewood trails. This closure is well marked on-site and alternate trail options are available. 

Pomona Mills Park

This is a 11.6 acre park in the Thornhill-Markham district. While a smaller park, it offers a diverse landscape with a well-groomed loop trail that hugs along the East Don River.

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Another major feature of this park is its Forest Therapy or Shinrin Yoku trail. With a the sound of water flowing, trees new and old rustling in the wind, birds chirping, and the sold earth below, this is an extremely well-put-together path of 5 “invitations” with plaques to guide your way.

The Thornhill Meadow is located in the west side of the park which is filled with native wildflowers, attracting Monarch butterflies.

There are residents in this community who volunteer their time to do annual park cleanups and planting, providing an enjoyable space for all its visitors.

Toogood Pond Park

Toogood Pond Park spans over 82.3 acres. The walkway circling the Toogood Pond is a very popular 1.4 km loop walk.

There are park benches throughout the area where you’ll be able to rest and admire the view. You’ll be able to check out the water dam and a bridge that are located in the southeast corner of the pond.

I do love the walk down Main Street Unionville as it’s filled with shops and restaurants. This is an area that you can't miss especially if you're up for some patio time.

Along the way, make sure to visit the Varley Art Gallery. It's a great cultural centre which holds art exhibitions. Best of all, it's free to visit!

German Mills Settlers Park / German Mills Meadow & Natural Habitat

German Mills Settlers Park manages to surprise all first-time visitors for its vast space, calming creek, well-groomed path, and elevated views of the city. This park spans over 65 acres and combines with the German Mills Meadow & Natural Habitat.

What's unique about this green space is that while on the map it looks like it covers one contiguous area, as the two names suggest, the park is very different from the habitat.

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To the east is German Mills Settlers Park and this is the meticulously cleaned and paved route that starts off Leslie Street to the south and follows the Duncan Woods Creek up towards John Street. Along the way you'll find some open green spaces, benches, and forests. Since it's fully paved, this part is great for jogging and cycling.

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To the west is German Mills Meadow & Natural Habitat. This is very much a wild and open space that is in rehabilitation. There are signs that recommend against taking side trails into the meadow and so you're mostly sticking to one wide gravel that turns to a dirt path that connects Leslie Street and John Street in a straight line. There are young trees being grown and protected by fences and some sort of pumping station in the middle as well. It certainly casts a less-lively spirit than the Settlers Park let's just say.

Swan Lake Park

Swan Lake Park has a small boardwalk pier where you can oversee wildlife on the pond. It’s a quiet park with a great photo spot by the pier all season round. There are restoration goals with Markham Council to increase the water quality of the pond. 

Just across the street is the Laura and Alf Weaver Park that includes a skateboarding park and tennis courts.

Map of Top Markham Parks

TIP: Open this map in a new tab (maximize icon) and click on the 3 vertical dots in the menu to “Copy map” to your own account. This way you can use the Google Maps app to open it up on your phone. You will need data to access the map.

Additional Markham Park Resources

Between Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and Markham parks covered in the York Region, the City of Markham has the weakest pages to showcase their parks.

While their website does lead to an interactive map that is well-marked, it's unfortunately not that user friendly and definitely not built with your mobile phone in mind.

The below is a list of resources that I've found helpful for more details and maps.

• Parks and Trails – A full list of all parks and trails in Markham. All parks lead to an interactive map by Geocortex which is great on desktop but not so much on mobile.
• Destination Markham – Markham's new tourism website that will hopefully grow to include more outdoor recreation recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many great parks in Markham to explore whether it's the large Milne Dam Conservation Park or the small loop around Swan Lake Park. There's something for everyone!