Parks & Forestry Overview

Stratford’s Main Park System contains approximately 115 acres of formal parklands and nearly 60 acres of natural area. The formal parkland is bounded immediately to the south by major access routes and a vibrant downtown area, and to the north by exquisite residential properties. Two of the city’s three theatres – the Shakespearean Theatre and Tom Patterson Theatre are located within the formal park system, with the Avon Theatre located in the downtown area. The park system itself is virtually bisected by Lake Victoria and the Avon River system.

News Release: Emerald Ash Borer
June 29, 2011 – The emerald ash borer is a highly destructive insect pest of ash trees that was discovered in Canada for the first time in the summer of 2002. It has killed a large number of trees in Essex County and the Municipality of Chatham Kent and has made its way into Sarnia-Lambton, Elgin County, London-Middlesex, Perth Oxford, Waterloo, Toronto and Ottawa, as well as many other regions around Eastern Ontario. Left to itself the emerald ash borer moves at an estimated rate of 5-10 km per year. However, the human movement of potentially-infested materials to new areas has significantly increased the rate of dispersal.

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Park Attractions & Features

• Upper Queen’s Park, overlooking Lake Victoria, is approximately 6 acres in size and has many amenities including playground equipment, washrooms, a bandshell and both informal and formal picnic areas.  Our formal picnic areaa can be reserved for family reunions, corporate picnics, and other celebrations. Groups of 25 up to 200 can be accommodated. A covered pavilion is also available in the event of inclement weather.
• Sitting benches and picnic tables scattered through the system for dining or just plain relaxing.
• Two banshells provide a backdrop for many summer concerts.
• Over 15 kilometres of trails accommodating walking, jogging and cycling activities.
• Lake Victoria (Avon River), stretching for nearly 2 kilometres, affords one the opportunity to canoe, paddle boat or take a guided tour on the “Juliet.”
• The shore at Lake Victoria is the perfect place to grab a lawn chair on a hot summer evenings and enjoy the sounds of live jazz on the H.M.S. Razz Ma Jazz, as it floats up and down the lake.
• A variety of sports activities can be enjoyed, whether passively or actively, including baseball, soccer, beach volleyball, lawn bowling or tennis.

Our Famous Swans
We have over 30 birds, both Black Australian and the more widely known White Mute. Many of these birds are on Lake Victoria for the summer season, and we are usually lucky enough to have one or two mated pairs hatch young every summer for your added enjoyment.

Our National and International Award Winning Gardnens
For those interested in horticulture, there are literally dozens of annual, perennial and shrub beds to peruse throughout the formal park system. As well, three major formal planting areas exist; Shakespearean Gardens, Cenotaph/Memorial Gardens, and Confederation Park/Gallery afford a quiet, reflective atmosphere where one can certainly relax and enjoy.

Stratford was named Canada’s Best Blooming Community in 2008. In a national competition by Communities in Bloom, in which hundreds of towns and cities competed, Stratford was selected as the overall national champion for its gardens and community involvement in beautification, environmental awareness and heritage conservation.

Stratford also won the Communities in Bloom International Challenge competing against communities of its size in America, Britain, Japan and Ireland.

Art in the Park
A regular and popular feature along Lake Victoria, Art in the Park takes place during the summer months and affords one the opportunity to leisurely walk and browse among a variety of artists as they ply their wares.