Erindale Park Mississauga
Erindale Park is the largest park in Mississauga, Ontario. It is a family-friendly, big (220 acres), sprawling public park located in the heart of the Erindale area of the city.
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This Mississauga park is situated in a ravine setting that hugs the shorelines of the Credit River. There are also plenty of open green spaces that are popular for picnics and BBQ. You will also find children’s playground facilities including splash pads here.
Some of the most popular activities at Erindale Park include:
- walking and hiking
- cycling
- running
- snowshoeing
- cross-country skiing
- birdwatching
- fishing
Erindale is a prominent park in a central location in the heart of Mississauga.
Despite being only minutes from the downtown core, and despite being accessed from the very busy arterial road that is Dundas St. W., the park provides an escape from all the noise and activity of city living.
You would not expect to find a large forested park with multiple ravines, a river, nature trails, and formidable green spaces here.
Why Parks are Important
Parks are often taken for granted in urban areas like Mississauga, but they play a critical role in our lives. They provide a much-needed escape from the pressures of the urban environment that we live in.
Here’s why parks like Erindale are essential for our well-being:
Reducing the Negative Effects of Air Pollution
Parks act as a natural filter for the air we breathe, absorbing pollutants and reducing the levels of harmful chemicals in the environment. Not only that, but they also help cool the city and mitigate the effects of climate change by providing shade and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Opportunities for Physical Activity and Recreation
Parks provide a range of facilities for people of all ages, from playgrounds and sports fields to walking paths and picnic areas. This not only helps maintain good health but also provides a much-needed escape from the urban environment, reducing stress levels and improving mental health.
Promoting Community Engagement and Social Interaction
Parks serve as a gathering place for residents to come together, share experiences, and build relationships. This helps foster a sense of community, build social capital, and promote social cohesion.
Protecting Biodiversity and Wildlife
Urban parks such as Erindale often provide essential habitats for a range of plant and animal species. These spaces serve as important refuges for wildlife in urban areas, helping to mitigate the effects of habitat loss and degradation.
In effect, Erindale Park ticks all the boxes, and provides visitors with a valuable connection to nature.
Where is Erindale Park?
As shown in the map above, Erindale Park is located in central Mississauga. It’s about a half hour drive from downtown Toronto.
Municipal address for Erindale Park is 1695 Dundas Street West, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5C 1E3.
It is located directly south of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus. The nearest main intersection is Dundas Street W. and Mississauga Road.
The park is easily reachable by car, and by public transit. There are plenty of buses on Dundas St. W. including express buses from the Kipling Subway station in Toronto.
The nearest commuter rail and bus station is the Erindale GO Station on the Milton Line.
History of the Park
Fun Fact: Erindale Park was once Erindale Lake
In the early twentieth century, southern Ontario was in the process of converting to electricity as a source of power. A decision was made to dam the Credit River where the park exists today. A hydroelectric dam was completed in 1910, which flooded a large part of today’s park, and created a lake with waters that were 30 feet deep.
The lake was called Erindale Lake.
The Erindale hydroelectric dam was a large facility that supplied power to North Toronto, New Toronto, Swansea, Islington, Erindale, Cooksville, Dixie, Long Branch, Mimico and Lambton.
The dam suffered a series of misfortunes, including structual damage from ice flows during the spring thaw. At one point, the dam failed, and Dundas St. W. was washed out.
During the summers, Erindale Lake was a popular swimming spot, but there were several drownings.
When the large hydroelectric dam in Niagara Falls opened in 1923, it was able to provide power for the entire region, and the Erindale facility was decommissioned. The lake was drained.
The dam was eventually demolished, although even today there are remnants of its foundations which are visible in the river. Erindale Park was created, and it officially opened in 1986.
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Inside the Park
Erindale is one of about 500 parks administered by the City of Mississauga. It is open year round, although the best times to visit are definitely in the spring, summer, and fall. As with all parks in Mississauga, there is no fee for admission.
Walking Trails along the Credit River
The Credit River begins its journey in areas far north from the City of Mississauga. It flows southward through rural areas into Peel Region and Mississauga.
Eventually, it reaches the Port Credit harbour, and this is where it drains into Lake Ontario. The path of the river runs directly through Erindale Park.
At Erindale Park in Mississauga, the river is located in a ravine with lots of thick forest running along its banks. It can be a rapidly flowing stream when the snow melts in the spring, or a trickling brook during midsummer.
There are multiple walking, hiking, and biking trails in the park. Many of the trails run along, and across, the river, including some which fan out directly from the central parking area.
One of the noted trails is the Culham Trail, which is an 13.2km long trail that follows the Credit River north along its right bank. You can follow the Culham Trail to north of Burnhamthorpe Road W., where it continues through the Riverwood Conservancy.
There are paved and gravel walkways that take you in all directions amid the tall trees overhead.
Directly north of the main parking area there is a footbridge that will take you to the north shore of the river. From the north shore, there are several additional hiking trails, including the UTM Nature Trail.
There are a few minor waterfalls along the river’s course, along with plenty of wildlife. The river has fish in it, and you will sometimes see people fishing for steelhead trout and salmon.
Wildlife Habitat
You will see a lot of ducks and geese here, during all times of the year. There are songbirds of every kind, and everything from hummingbirds to Great Blue Herons. It’s a great spot if you are into birding.
You will also see plenty of the usual small animals, including squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and maybe the occasional fox, skunk, or coyote. There are many reports of people seeing white-tailed deer in the park, although I have never been lucky enough to see any.
Erindale Park has plenty of benches scattered along the waterway where you can soak in the beauty of the river views, and listen to the sounds of the water flowing.
Picnic, BBQ, and Playground Areas
Erindale Park Mississauga has many large open spaces and play areas. Here you will find:
- BBQ areas including firepits
- multiple picnic areas including some with covered pergolas
- children’s playground area
- children’s splash pad
The picnic areas are quite extensive, and this park is on many people’s list of best Mississauga picnic parks.
Plan Your Visit to 1695 Dundas St. W.
Erindale Park is open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm (or until dusk in winter).
Erindale Park Parking
There is plenty of free parking once you enter the park.
Online reviews of the park are very positive, currently ranking 4.7 out of 5 on Google, with thousands of reviews posted. For many people, this is their favourite Mississauga park. The only downside is that the park is very popular on summer weekends, and the crowds can be substantial.
There are free public washrooms at the park.
The park is dog-friendly! Dogs on a leash are permitted.
Entrance to the park is free.
Conclusion
Erindale Park Mississauga offers a variety of facilities for all ages, such as playgrounds, splash pads, walking paths, and picnic table areas.
The park’s ravine and river areas support diverse wildlife and wildfowl, promoting various plant and animal species.
With its excellent central location and full array of attractions including walking trails, picnic spots, BBQ areas, and play facilities, Erindale Park stands out as a gem among the many Mississauga parks.
We highly recommend Erindale Park as one of the best parks in Mississauga.
Next: JC Saddington Park
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