Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
The best parks in Vaughan are Kortright Centre for Conservation, Boyd Conservation Park, North Maple Regional Park, Edgeley Park and the Nashville Conservation Reserve. Kortright has more than 16 km of year-round trails, North Maple is free with over 5 km of trails, and Boyd is a seasonal picnic park that reopens in 2027.
This guide is for Vaughan families, newcomers and anyone thinking of moving to Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg or the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre who wants to know where to get outside. You get my five favourite parks, what each is like, what it costs, when it is open and what to check before you go, plus what homes cost in Vaughan heading into 2027.
What are the best parks in Vaughan?
My five picks are Kortright Centre for Conservation, Boyd Conservation Park, North Maple Regional Park, Edgeley Park and the Nashville Conservation Reserve. Two are run by the City of Vaughan and three by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Together they cover forest hiking, river valleys, sports fields, a downtown skating loop and large wild trails for skiing and biking.
| Park | Where | Best for | Cost (2026) | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kortright Centre | 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Woodbridge | Forest and marsh trails | $8.30 adult, $5.50 child, parking $6.25 (+HST) | Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Boyd Conservation Park | 8739 Islington Ave | Picnics in the Humber valley | $26.20 per car (+HST) | May to early November |
| North Maple Regional Park | 11085 Keele St, Maple | Trails and sports fields | Free parking | Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Edgeley Park | 300 Maplecrete Rd, VMC | Splash pad and skating loop | Free to visit | Year-round |
| Nashville Conservation Reserve | Vaughan (TRCA trail map) | Long hikes, biking, skiing | No fee listed by TRCA | Year-round |
Source: Kortright Centre, TRCA and City of Vaughan pages, checked 10 November 2026. Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official page before you go.
1. Kortright Centre for Conservation
What it is like: Kortright is TRCA’s 325-hectare nature centre on Pine Valley Drive in Woodbridge. It has more than 16 kilometres of trails open year-round, through forest and meadow, with a boardwalk across a marsh and several lookout points. TRCA says it hosts about 100,000 visitors a year, and it runs school programs, workshops and seasonal events such as its maple syrup festival.
Who it suits: Families with young children, bird watchers and anyone who wants a well-marked forest walk without driving far north.
What it costs: 2026 admission is $8.30 for adults aged 14 to 64, $7.00 for students and seniors, $5.50 for children aged 4 to 13 and free for toddlers with a paying adult. Parking is $6.25 plus HST. Holders of a Conservation Parks membership get free admission and parking.
What to check: The centre is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and TRCA encourages buying tickets in advance. Dogs are welcome on a leash but not inside the visitor centre.
2. Boyd Conservation Park
What it is like: Boyd sits on Islington Avenue in the steep, wooded Humber River valley. TRCA describes it as one of the GTA’s best-known summer picnic spots, with 17 picnic sites, playgrounds and trails for hiking and mountain biking. You can also walk a leashed dog, geocache and watch birds along the river.
Who it suits: Large families and groups planning a summer barbecue, and riders who want valley trails close to Woodbridge.
What it costs: In 2026, a passenger vehicle with up to seven people paid $26.20 plus HST for admission and parking.
What to check: Boyd is seasonal. In 2026 it opened daily from 2 May to 13 September and on weekends from 19 September to 1 November, and it closes from November to April. As of November 2026, TRCA says to check back in early 2027 for the opening date. Picnic sites for big groups are booked through TRCA.
3. North Maple Regional Park
What it is like: The City of Vaughan calls this its largest park. It sits on Keele Street between Teston Road and Kirby Road, in the Oak Ridges Moraine and Don River natural area. About 197 acres opened to the public in 2018, with more than five kilometres of easy to moderate trails and two FIFA-certified artificial turf fields. The City’s 2024 update also listed a pavilion with washrooms and changerooms, picnic shelters and a toboggan hill.
Who it suits: Maple and north Vaughan families, soccer players, dog walkers who are happy to keep a leash on, and anyone who wants a long evening walk.
What it costs: Entry and parking at the main entrance are free. The turf fields are booked through the City.
What to check: The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. There is no off-leash area. A large Pondside District family recreation area, with playgrounds, water play and a skating trail, is still under construction. In early 2024 the City expected it to open in 2026, so check the City’s page for the latest status before you plan a visit around it. York Region Transit route 96 stops on Keele Street nearby.
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4. Edgeley Park, Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
What it is like: Edgeley Park at 300 Maplecrete Road was the first public park to open in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), Vaughan’s new downtown. The City opened its first phase in 2024 with a winter skating loop, a splash pad, playgrounds, shade trees and a pavilion with accessible washrooms and a community room.
Who it suits: Condo residents in the VMC, young families and anyone who wants a city-style park with a splash pad in summer and skating in winter. My guide to VMC condo buildings covers the towers around it.
What it costs: It is a public city park, with no admission fee.
What to check: Skating loop hours and opening dates depend on the weather and the City’s schedule. Check the City of Vaughan’s website before you bring skates in the 2026 to 2027 season.
5. Nashville Conservation Reserve
What it is like: This is TRCA’s largest natural property on my list, at more than 900 hectares in Vaughan. It protects deer wintering areas and a migratory corridor, and it feels far wilder than a city park. TRCA has added trailhead kiosks and trail improvements with Greenbelt funding.
Who it suits: Experienced hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers who want long routes and fewer people.
What it costs: TRCA’s page does not list an admission fee.
What to check: There are no washrooms and no waste bins, so carry out your litter. Download TRCA’s trail guide and map before you go so you know where each trailhead is.
Which Vaughan park is best for your family?
Each of the five does a different job, so match the park to the outing:
- Toddlers and hot days: Edgeley Park, for the splash pad, playgrounds and accessible washrooms in the pavilion.
- School-age children: Kortright, where the trails are well marked and the centre runs nature programs and seasonal events.
- A big family picnic: Boyd, with 17 picnic sites in the Humber valley that groups can book through TRCA once the park reopens.
- Teens who play soccer: North Maple, with its two turf fields and long trails for the rest of the family.
- Adults who want quiet: the Nashville Conservation Reserve, for long hikes, rides and ski days.
If you plan to visit TRCA parks often, look at a Conservation Parks membership. According to Kortright’s page, it includes free general admission and parking at Kortright, all TRCA parks, Black Creek Pioneer Village and Credit Valley Conservation parks. With Boyd at $26.20 a car per visit in 2026, a few trips can add up.
Which Vaughan parks are open in winter?
Kortright’s trails are open year-round, and the Nashville Conservation Reserve is used for cross-country skiing. North Maple Regional Park and Edgeley Park are open every day, and Edgeley’s skating loop is the best bet for families on skates once the City opens it. Boyd closes from November to April.
Trails at the conservation areas are natural surfaces. After rain or snow they can be muddy or icy, and valley paths along the Humber can be steep. Wear proper boots, keep children close near the river, and check each park’s page for closures before you drive out.
What do homes near Vaughan’s best parks cost?
Parks like these are one reason buyers choose Vaughan. Prices below are for the whole City of Vaughan, not individual neighbourhoods, so homes backing onto a ravine or near Kleinburg can sell well above them.
| Home type, Vaughan | Median price, Jan to Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Average days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,415,000 | -5.0% | 30 |
| Semi-detached | $1,040,000 | -9.2% | 28 |
| Freehold townhouse | $1,014,500 | -9.3% | 29 |
| Condo townhouse | $768,000 | -6.1% | 35 |
| Condo apartment | $530,000 | -10.9% | 42 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January to October 2026 vs the same period of 2025, City of Vaughan. Medians, not forecasts.
A home a short walk from a good trail or park usually holds its appeal with buyers, but do not pay any price just for the view. Check whether the lot backs onto conservation land with regulated limits, ask about flood maps near the Humber, and compare the price against nearby sales without that feature. My guide to ravine and river lots explains what to look for, and my picks of the best neighbourhoods to live in Vaughan show where the parks fit into each area. This is my view from working with buyers, not a promise of value.
For a full picture of prices and supply, see my Vaughan housing market outlook for 2027.
What to do next
- Pick one park for this weekend and check its official page for hours, fees and closures.
- If you visit TRCA parks often, compare the cost of a Conservation Parks membership with paying at the gate.
- If you are house hunting, visit the parks near your shortlist at different times of day.
- 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 biggest park in Vaughan?
The City of Vaughan describes North Maple Regional Park, on Keele Street between Teston Road and Kirby Road, as its largest park. About 197 acres opened in 2018, with more construction under way. The TRCA’s Nashville Conservation Reserve in Vaughan is larger as a natural property, at more than 900 hectares, but it is a nature reserve rather than a city park.
How much does it cost to visit Kortright Centre in 2026?
In 2026, Kortright Centre in Woodbridge charges $8.30 for adults aged 14 to 64, $7.00 for students and seniors, $5.50 for children aged 4 to 13, and nothing for toddlers with a paying adult, plus HST. Parking is $6.25 plus HST. Conservation Parks members get free admission and parking. Prices for 2027 had not been posted in November 2026.
Is Boyd Conservation Park open in winter?
No. Boyd Conservation Park in Vaughan closes from November to April. In 2026 it opened daily from 2 May to 13 September and on weekends from 19 September to 1 November. As of November 2026, TRCA says to check back in early 2027 for next season’s opening date. Admission in 2026 was $26.20 per passenger vehicle plus HST.
Where can you go skating outdoors in Vaughan?
Edgeley Park at 300 Maplecrete Road in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre has a winter skating loop that opened with the park’s first phase in 2024. Opening dates and hours depend on the weather and the City of Vaughan’s schedule, so check the City’s website for the 2026 to 2027 season before you go.
Are dogs allowed in Vaughan parks?
Yes, on a leash. North Maple Regional Park allows leashed dogs and has no off-leash area. Kortright Centre welcomes leashed pets on its trails but not inside the visitor centre, and Boyd Conservation Park lists on-leash dog walking. At North Maple and Kortright, owners must also clean up after their pets.
What are the best hiking trails in Vaughan?
Kortright Centre has more than 16 kilometres of year-round trails through forest, meadow and marsh. The Nashville Conservation Reserve, at more than 900 hectares, offers longer and wilder routes for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. North Maple Regional Park has more than five kilometres of easy to moderate trails with free parking.
Is North Maple Regional Park free?
Yes. North Maple Regional Park at 11085 Keele Street in Vaughan has free parking at the main entrance and no admission fee. It is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Its two artificial turf fields are booked through the City of Vaughan. A new Pondside District family area is still under construction as of November 2026.
Which Vaughan park has a splash pad?
Edgeley Park at 300 Maplecrete Road in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre has a splash pad, along with playgrounds, a winter skating loop and a pavilion with accessible washrooms. The City of Vaughan’s plans for the North Maple Regional Park Pondside District also include water play, but that area was still under construction in November 2026.
How much is a house in Vaughan in 2026?
The median detached house in Vaughan sold for $1,415,000 from January to October 2026, down 5.0% from the same period of 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Semi-detached homes had a median of $1,040,000 and condo apartments $530,000. These are city-wide figures, and homes near ravines or in Kleinburg often sell for more.
Sources
- Kortright Centre for Conservation (TRCA)
- Kortright Centre: Plan Your Visit, 2026 admission fees and trails
- TRCA: Boyd Conservation Park
- City of Vaughan: Visit North Maple Regional Park
- City of Vaughan: Making progress on Vaughan’s largest park (February 2024)
- City of Vaughan: First phase of Edgeley Park opens in Vaughan’s downtown core (May 2024)
- TRCA: Nashville Conservation Reserve
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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.