Mississauga Valley Park
One of the most popular parks in the city is Mississauga Valley Park. This is a large, sprawling park located in the heart of the Square One City Centre area of Mississauga.
Contents
There are three separate components of the park:
- walking trail along the Cooksville Creek
- open recreational areas with sports, picnic, and playground facilities
- Mississauga Valley Community Centre
Each of these has considerable charms.
What’s unique about Mississauga Valley Park is its close proximity to the downtown core of Mississauga.
Despite being literally only a few steps from the largest shopping mall in Ontario, and despite being surrounded by dozens of highrise condos and commercial towers in the city centre, the park provides an oasis from all the noise and activity.
Square One Shopping Centre, the aforementioned largest shopping mall in Ontario, is only a couple of blocks to the west, along Burnhamthorpe Road West.
There is a ton of urban activity in the area. It is one of the more densely populated areas in the Greater Toronto Area.
You would not expect to find a large forested park with a ravine, a creek, and formidable green spaces in such a location.
The Importance of Parks in Urban Areas
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 concrete jungle surrounding us.
Parks in urban areas present opportunities for physical activity and recreation, and they promote community engagement and social interaction.
Mississauga Valley Park provides visitors with a valuable connection to nature, as well as a full array of recreational features.
Where is Mississauga Valley Park?
As shown in the map below, Mississauga Valley Park is located in the heart of Mississauga. It’s about a half hour drive from downtown Toronto.
Municipal address for Mississauga Valley Park is 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5A 3R8.
It is located just a few blocks southeast of the Square One Shopping Centre. The nearest main intersection is Burnhamthorpe Road W. and Hurontario St.
The park is easily reachable by car, and by public transit. There are plenty of buses on Burnhamthorpe Road W., including express buses from the Kipling Subway station in Toronto.
The new Hurontario LRT, when it opens in 2024, will have a stop within a few minutes walk from the park entrance.
The nearest commuter rail and bus station is the Cooksville GO Station on the Milton Line.
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Inside the Park
The park 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 Trail along Cooksville Creek
Cooksville Creek meanders southward from north of Burnhamhorpe Rd. W. all the way to Lake Ontario. A portion of it runs through the western edges of Mississauga Valley Park.
The creek is located in a ravine with lots of thick forest running along its banks. It can be a rapidly flowing river when the snow melts in the spring, or a trickling brook during midsummer.
A great place to enter the walking trail is off of Mississauga Valley Blvd.
There is a paved walkway that takes you in either direction, amid the tall trees overhead. If you head south, you will eventually get to the open sports and playground areas.
There are a few minor waterfalls along the way, along with plenty of wildlife.
Wildlife Habitat
You will see a lot of ducks and geese here, during all times of the year. You will also see plenty of the usual small animals, including squirrels, rabbits, and maybe the occasional fox, skunk, or coyote. One time we saw a shiny green garden snake crossing the walking path.
There are a few benches scattered along the waterway where you can soak in the beauty of nature, and listen to the sounds of the water flowing.
At a certain point, there is a footbridge which crosses the creek (“Eagle Bridge”), and this bridge brings you to the sports and play areas.
Sports, Picnic, and Playground Areas
Mississauga Valley Park has a large area of open spaces with sports facilities and play areas. Here you will find:
- baseball diamond with night lighting and bleachers
- bocce ball courts with night lighting
- football field with night lighting
- soccer field with night lighting
- tennis courts with night lighting
- beach volleyball area
- BBQ areas
- picnic areas including a covered pergola
- children’s playground areas
- children’s splash pads
The picnic areas are quite extensive, and this park is on many people’s list of best Mississauga picnic parks.
In addition to these sports and playground areas, there is also a large facility known as the Mississauga Valley Community Centre.
Mississauga Valley Community Centre
The Mississauga Valley Community Centre is actually the largest community centre in the city. It has several features.
Arena
There is an arena with an ice skating rink. There are a wide variety of programs offered here, including skating lessons, ice hockey, public skating and more.
The arena has a 180 by 80 foot ice rink featuring:
- seating for up to 375 spectators
- 6 dressing rooms
Fitness Centre
The Terry Fox Fitness Centre features:
- cardio and conditioning equipment
- aerobic studio for group exercise classes
- 2 squash courts
- personal training
Gymnasium
The full sized gymnasium offers a variety of activities including basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor soccer.
Indoor Pool
The Terry Fox Swimming Pool and Therapy Pool is a 25 metre, 6 lane rectangular pool with a therapeutic tank beside the main pool. The shallow warm water is ideal for people in post-rehabilitation or who wish to participate in gentle exercise programs.
Library
There is also a branch library onsite that is part of the Mississauga library system, the Mississauga Valley Library
Plan Your Visit to 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd
Mississauga Valley Park is open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm (or until dusk in winter). Some components of the Community Centre are open as early as 6:00am.
Free Parking
There is free parking on Mississauga Valley Blvd. You can also park for free at the Mississauga Valley Community Centre.
For the most part, online reviews of the park are very positive, ranking at 4.5 out of 5, with hundreds of votes given.
Dog walking is encouraged! Dogs on a leash are permitted in the park.
Entrance to the park and Community Centre is free.
Conclusion
Mississauga Valley Park provides a wide range of facilities for people of all ages, from playgrounds and sports fields to walking paths and picnic table areas.
This not only helps Mississaugans to maintain good health but also provides a much-needed escape from the urban environment. This can help in reducing stress levels and improving mental health for everyone.
The ravine and creek area of the park contains a diverse range of natural habitats for wildlife and wildfowl. This provides great support for a wide range of plant and animal species.
In conclusion, Mississauga Valley Park, with its excellent city centre location, its full array of attractions including walking trails, natural areas, sports and play facilities, as well as the attached community centre, is a gem that stands out among the long list of Mississauga parks. We recommend Mississauga Valley Park as one of the best parks in Mississauga.
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