Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
The best parks in Markham are Toogood Pond Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Pomona Mills Park and Cornell Community Park. Toogood Pond is a 33-hectare park beside Main Street Unionville, Rouge is free year-round with trails over 10 km, and Milne Dam is free on weekdays in season.
This guide is for Markham residents, families thinking of moving to Unionville, Cornell or Thornhill, and anyone who wants a good walk on the weekend. You get my five favourite parks in Markham, what each one is like, what it costs, when it is open and what to check first, plus what homes cost in Markham heading into 2027.
What are the best parks in Markham?
My five picks are Toogood Pond Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Pomona Mills Park and Cornell Community Park. Together they cover a village pond walk, river views, long countryside trails, a short trail loop in Thornhill and a busy family park in the east end.
| Park | Where | Best for | Cost | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toogood Pond Park | Carlton Rd and Main St Unionville | A loop around the pond, then Main Street | Free | Year-round |
| Milne Dam Conservation Park | 8135 McCowan Rd | Picnics and Rouge River views | Free weekdays; $12.50 per car weekends and holidays | 17 May to 19 October in 2026 |
| Rouge National Urban Park | Several entrances across Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge | Long trails through farmland and valleys | Free | Year-round |
| Pomona Mills Park | 200 John St, Thornhill | A short trail loop and a playground | Free | Year-round, part of trail closed |
| Cornell Community Park | 371 Cornell Centre Blvd | Splash pad, sports and playground | Free | Year-round |
Source: City of Markham parks and Milne Dam pages, Parks Canada and Markham Public Library, checked 10 November 2026. Hours and fees change, so check the official page before you go.
1. Toogood Pond Park, Unionville
What it is like: Toogood Pond is the park most people picture when they think of Unionville. The Oak Ridges Trail Association describes it as a 33-hectare park with a partly naturalized pond, a marsh and a walkway that circles the water. The shops and restaurants of historic Main Street Unionville are next door, and the Unionville Valleylands Trail is close by.
Who it suits: Families with strollers, couples and anyone who wants an easy walk followed by coffee or lunch on Main Street.
What it costs: It is a free public park. The City of Markham lists washrooms at the Toogood Pond site on Carlton Road.
What to check: The trail association notes that historic Main Street Unionville draws thousands of visitors a year, so expect company on fine weekends. Its directions point to a parking area off Main Street Unionville, about half a kilometre north of Carlton Road. If you live nearby, walk in.
Nearby for kids: The pond itself has no playground listed. For that, the City lists Toogood Park on Scriberras Road with a playground and tennis court, and Ray Street Park on South Unionville Avenue with a playground, splash pad, basketball court and skate park.
2. Milne Dam Conservation Park
What it is like: Milne Dam Conservation Park on McCowan Road is a City of Markham park beside the Rouge River. Markham Public Library has highlighted its river views and a trail loop of about two kilometres, plus the Forest Therapy Trail, a network of more than seven kilometres of paths that gives access to the river and the dam.
Who it suits: Families planning a picnic, photographers, and walkers who want river scenery inside the city.
What it costs: In 2026, admission was free on weekdays. On weekends and statutory holidays, a private vehicle with up to seven people paid $12.50 and a larger vehicle $25. Payment is by credit or debit only, with no cash.
What to check: The park is seasonal. In 2026 it opened from 17 May to 19 October, from 9 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Alcohol, fires and amplified music are not allowed, and parking is in marked spaces only. For 2026, the City opened picnic permit applications on 1 January, so check the page early for 2027.
Instant Home Valuation
What’s your home
worth today?
Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
3. Rouge National Urban Park
What it is like: Parks Canada calls Rouge one of the largest urban parks in North America. It spans Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge, with forests, creeks, farms, wetlands and trails. The northern trails on Parks Canada’s list include the Northeast Trail (10.7 km one way, with seven boardwalks), the family-friendly Harvest Trail (5.1 km one way) and the Central Trail (10.5 km one way), which follows the Katabokokonk and Little Rouge creeks. A five-minute drive from Markham’s Cornell Library, the Markham Public Library also points walkers to Bob Hunter Memorial Park, with a route of about three kilometres beside Little Rouge Creek.
Who it suits: Serious walkers, trail runners and families who want a half-day outing in real countryside without leaving the GTA.
What it costs: The park is free and open 365 days a year. Parking lots are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What to check: Parks Canada warns that trails are not salted or cleared in winter, some have steep grades, and there is no food or water on the trails. Cycling is allowed only on some trails. Some areas, such as the Zoo Road day-use area and Rouge Beach and Marsh, were closed when I checked, so look at the alerts before you go.
4. Pomona Mills Park, Thornhill
What it is like: Pomona Mills Park at 200 John Street is a neighbourhood park on the Markham side of Thornhill. The City lists a playground, soccer field and tennis court, and the Markham Public Library describes a short trail loop of about two kilometres, about 15 minutes on foot from the Thornhill Village Library.
Who it suits: Thornhill families and dog walkers who want a short trail loop close to home.
What it costs: It is a free city park.
What to check: The City lists part of the Pomona Mills Park recreational trail as closed until further notice for significant repairs: the north pathway west of Henderson Avenue to the first pedestrian bridge. Plan your loop around it and check the City’s closures list before you go.
5. Cornell Community Park
What it is like: Cornell Community Park at 371 Cornell Centre Boulevard is one of the best-equipped parks in Markham’s east end. The City lists a playground, splash pad, soccer field, baseball diamond, tennis courts, pickleball courts and washrooms. Nearby, Cornell Woodlot Park on William Forster Road has a dog off-leash area.
Who it suits: Young families, sports teams and anyone in Cornell who wants many activities in one place.
What it costs: It is free to visit. Sports fields and courts may need a booking through the City for organized play.
What to check: Splash pads are seasonal, so check the City’s splash pad schedule in early summer.
Which Markham park is best for your family?
Each park does a different job, so match it to the day you have planned:
- Toddlers and summer heat: Cornell Community Park, for the splash pad, playground and washrooms in one place.
- A stroller walk with lunch after: Toogood Pond, with Main Street Unionville next door.
- A family picnic by the river: Milne Dam on a weekday, when admission is free.
- Older kids who like a real hike: the Harvest Trail in Rouge National Urban Park, which Parks Canada rates as easy and family-friendly.
- A quick after-school loop in Thornhill: Pomona Mills, with a playground and tennis court at the park.
Where are the best walking trails in Markham?
For long trails, go to Rouge National Urban Park. For a short loop with a view, try Milne Dam or Toogood Pond. For a short loop on the Thornhill side of the city, try Pomona Mills. The Markham Public Library list I used is from 2022, so check current trail conditions before you set out.
Valley trails along the Rouge can be muddy after rain and icy in winter, and they are not cleared. Wear proper footwear, carry water, keep dogs on a leash where required and stay on marked paths. Check each park’s page for closures before you leave home.
What do homes near Markham’s best parks cost?
Parks are part of why buyers choose Unionville, Cornell and Thornhill. The figures below cover the whole City of Markham, so homes beside a ravine or close to Main Street Unionville can sell well above them.
| Home type, Markham | Median price, Jan to Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Average days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,420,000 | -6.5% | 29 |
| Semi-detached | $1,025,000 | -12.2% | 28 |
| Freehold townhouse | $999,990 | -10.9% | 29 |
| Condo townhouse | $750,000 | -9.1% | 37 |
| Condo apartment | $558,000 | -13.2% | 39 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January to October 2026 vs the same period of 2025, City of Markham. Medians, not forecasts.
Being near a good park or trail is a real plus when you sell, but it is not a reason to overpay. If a home backs onto a ravine, ask about conservation authority rules that can limit decks, pools and additions, and compare it with recent sales nearby that do not have the view. My guide to ravine and river lots covers what to check. For the areas themselves, see my best neighbourhoods to live in Markham and my Unionville buying and selling guide. This is my view from working with buyers, not a guarantee of value.
For prices, supply and what to expect in 2027, read my Markham housing market outlook.
What to do next
- Pick a park for this weekend and check its official page for hours, fees and closures.
- If you are buying, walk the parks near your shortlist at different times of day and in different weather.
- Note which homes back onto ravines or trails, and ask about conservation rules before you make an offer.
- Use the estimator above to see what a home near your favourite park is worth today.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the best park in Markham?
For most people, Toogood Pond Park in Unionville is Markham’s best all-round park, with a walkway around the pond, a marsh and Main Street Unionville next door. For long trails, Rouge National Urban Park is the top choice. For a summer picnic by the river, Milne Dam Conservation Park on McCowan Road is a strong pick.
How big is Toogood Pond Park?
Toogood Pond Park in Unionville, Markham, is about 33 hectares, according to the Oak Ridges Trail Association. It includes a partly naturalized pond and a marsh, and a walkway circles the pond. The City of Markham lists washrooms at the Toogood Pond site on Carlton Road, and parking is off Main Street Unionville.
How much does it cost to get into Milne Dam Conservation Park?
Milne Dam Conservation Park in Markham is free on weekdays. On weekends and statutory holidays in 2026, admission was $12.50 for a private vehicle with one to seven people and $25 for a vehicle with eight or more, paid by credit or debit only. The 2027 season dates and fees had not been posted in November 2026.
When is Milne Dam Conservation Park open?
Milne Dam Conservation Park is seasonal. In 2026 it opened from 17 May to 19 October, from 9 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. The City of Markham had not posted 2027 dates in November 2026, so check its page in the spring.
Is Rouge National Urban Park free?
Yes. Rouge National Urban Park is free and open 365 days a year, according to Parks Canada. Its parking lots are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and may close temporarily in bad weather. The park spans Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge, so check which entrance and trail you want before you drive.
What are the best trails in Markham?
Rouge National Urban Park has Markham’s longest trails, including the 10.7 km Northeast Trail and the 10.5 km Central Trail. For shorter walks, Milne Dam Conservation Park has a loop of about two kilometres with Rouge River views, Pomona Mills Park in Thornhill has a roughly two-kilometre ravine loop, and Toogood Pond has a walkway around the pond.
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Markham?
Cornell Woodlot Park at 300 William Forster Road in Markham lists a dog off-leash area on the City of Markham’s parks list. The City’s parks list shows which parks have off-leash areas, so check it for one closer to you. Elsewhere, keep your dog on a leash and clean up after it.
Which Markham park has a splash pad?
Cornell Community Park at 371 Cornell Centre Boulevard has a splash pad, along with a playground, sports fields, tennis and pickleball courts and washrooms. The City of Markham lists splash pads at several other parks too, including Ray Street Park and South Unionville Park. Splash pads are seasonal, so check the City’s schedule before you go.
How much is a house in Markham in 2026?
The median detached house in Markham sold for $1,420,000 from January to October 2026, down 6.5% from the same period of 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Freehold townhouses had a median of $999,990 and condo apartments $558,000. These are city-wide figures, and homes near ravines or Main Street Unionville can sell for more.
Sources
- City of Markham: Parks (by ward, with amenities and closures)
- City of Markham: Milne Dam Conservation Park
- Oak Ridges Trail Association: Unionville Urban Hike (Toogood Pond)
- Markham Public Library: 5 Trails to Explore Near Markham Public Libraries (2022)
- Parks Canada: Rouge National Urban Park
- Parks Canada: Rouge National Urban Park trails
- Parks Canada: Plan your visit, Rouge National Urban Park
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.