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HomePlay HereParks & Forestry

Parks & Forestry

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Play Here

Stratford's main park system is approximately 115 acres of formal parklands and 60 acres of natural areas. The formal parkland is surrounded by a beautiful downtown area and exquisite residential properties.

Two of Stratford's four theatres, the Festival Theatre and Tom Patterson Theatre, are located within the formal park system. The Avon and Studio Theatres are located in the downtown area.

The park system itself is virtually bisected by Lake Victoria and the Avon River.

Within the park system, the follow amenities include:

  • Sitting benches
  • Picnic tables
  • Playground equipment
  • Two covered bandshells for shelter and concerts
  • Over 15 kilometres of trails for walking, jogging and cycling
  • A beautiful lake, known as Lake Victoria or the Avon River, that stretches for nearly 2 kilometres and provides the opportunity to enjoy a canoe, kayak, paddle boat or a guided boat tour
  • Areas to host a variety of sports activities including baseball and soccer

The shore at the Avon River is the perfect place to grab a lawn chair on hot summer evenings and enjoy the sounds of music on the H.M.S. Razz Ma Jazz as it floats up and down the lake.

Enjoying our Parks 

Upper Queen's Park, Pavilions and Picnic Areas 

A main section of Stratford's park system is Upper Queen's Park. Overlooking Lake Victoria, it is approximately 6 acres in size and has many facility amenities to enjoy including playground equipment, a covered bandshell pavilion/stage, shaded green space and picnic areas. Washrooms are on-site. 

The formal picnic area of Upper Queen's Park can be reserved for family reunions, corporate picnics and other celebrations. Groups up to 200 persons can be accommodated.

Upper Queens Park Amenity Rentals 
  • Pavilion: $41.20/hour, $103/day (charitable event rate) or $206/day (commercial event rate for 6 hours or more)
  • Permanent Picnic Tables: $87.55/4-hour period or $128.75/4-hour period or more
  • Bandshell (Upper Queens & Veteran's Drive): $12.90/hour (non-profit/fundraising), $25.75/hour, $103/day for multi-day events
  • No charge for Community Events of Remembrance (i.e.: Day of Mourning, Remembrance Day, Vigils)

Not-for-Profit and Charitable organizations will receive a 50% discount on commercial rates. 

Applicable taxes are extra on all rental fees.  

Use of the above noted facilities requires the completion of a Special Events Application Permit and proof of $5 million liability insurance. 

To reserve the amenities please email or call 519-271-0250 extension 252.   

Art in the Park

A regular and popular feature along Lake Victoria is Art in the Park. It is hosted in the summer months on Lakeside Drive between North Street and Front Street.

Artisans showcase their wares for leisurely viewing and purchase. 

 
Hosted Celebrations in our Parks

Our parkland is a public space. We do not accept bookings or reservations for use of public parkland and therefore, cannot issue a permit for its use.

While we allow informal celebrations to take place in our parks, any person may use the park at any time. The following rules are to be followed when using the park: 

  • Celebrations must not separate or isolate others from using the park 
  • Decorations must not be attached to any part of the park system
  • Confetti or like material must not be cast or thrown into the park
  • Parking spots cannot be reserved or roped off for celebration attendees
  • Wedding receptions are not permitted in the park   

Indoor event rental space is offered at the Stratford Rotary Complex.

City-Owned and Private Trees

City-owned Trees on Boulevards and Right-of-Ways/Emergencies

If you have questions or concerns about city trees, please email us.

For emergencies during regular business hours (Monday – Friday), such as fallen trees, please call us directly at 519-271-0250 extension 244.  For emergencies after hours, call Stratford Police.

 
Private Tree By-Law (NEW, 2020)

At the June 8, 2020 Regular Stratford City Council meeting, Council adopted the following resolution:

THAT Council adopt the proposed Private Tree Preservation By-law; 

AND THAT By-law 60-2003 be amended to appoint the Parks, Forestry & Cemetery Manager, the Parks & Forestry Supervisor and the City Arborist as By-law Officers for the enforcement of the Private Tree Preservation By-law.

The Private Tree Preservation By-law 86-2020 is intended to preserve trees on private property that are 30cm in diameter or more as measured at 1.37m above ground level. The by-law regulates the destruction or injury of trees and protects and enhances Stratford’s existing tree canopy, all while respecting a landowner’s right to make changes to the landscape of their property in an environmentally responsible way.

Read the by-law.

 

Urban Forestry Plan

In 2001, an Ad Hoc committee was established to assist the Community Services Department in the creation of an Urban Tree Management Plan. This plan was adopted by Council October 9, 2001, and was updated in 2007, 2018 and 2023.

The Urban Forestry Plan is a tool which outlines the operational and long-term forestry procedures for the municipality. Management follows and updates regularly to ensure consistency and accuracy in the maintenance of the city’s urban forest. Many resident questions can be answered by referencing this plan. The overarching objective of the plan is continually working towards a diverse, multi-aged, safe and healthy urban tree canopy.

Updates to this plan are made by department staff on an as needed basis.

Submit an Application to Permit the Injury or Destruction of Trees

For residents requesting to remove a tree 30cm in diameter or more, the following is required:

  1. Complete and submit a permit application to the Parks, Forestry & Cemetery Manager for approval. See below. At this time, the permit application must be printed and submitted in paper format, as other documents (Arborist report and residential consents) are required as part of the file;
  2. Pay a non-refundable permit application fee;
  3. Obtain an Arborist report identifying the location, species, size and condition of the tree in question;
  4. Obtain written consent of every adjacent private property owner upon whose adjacent land the base of the tree is partially located;
  5. If the person who is applying for the permit is not the registered owner, written consent of the Owner of the land where the subject tree must be submitted.

Download the Application to Permit the Injury or Destruction of Trees

For further information please contact the Parks, Forestry and Cemetery Division at 519-271-0250 extension 244. 

 

Submit an Application to have a Tree Planted on your Property

On an annual basis, the City of Stratford’s Community Services Forestry Division plants trees in new sub-divisions, parks and established neighbourhoods. Residents are welcome to make a request to have a tree planted by the City on the front of properties.  

Many factors about the requested planting site are taken into account. These considerations determine;

  1. the possibility of a tree being planted on the property
  2. the type of tree species best suited for the location

Currently, there are no charges to have a tree planting. 

Submit a Tree Planting Request 


Find a Park or Playground

Park Name  Playground Nearby 
All Wheels Park n/a Tennis and pickleball courts
Anne Hathaway Park Playground

Splash pad, ball diamond, concession, washrooms

Arboretum  n/a n/a
Avalon Park Playground n/a
Avondale Cemetery n/a Cemetery
Battershall Park n/a n/a
Battery Park n/a n/a
Bell Court Playground n/a
Cenotaph/Memorial Gardens n/a n/a
Confederation Park n/a Water fountain
Devon Street West Playground n/a
Dog Park (Packham Road)  n/a n/a
Douglas Street   Playground  n/a
Dufferin Park Playground Ball diamonds, concession, washrooms
Gallery Stratford n/a n/a
Greenwood Park Playground n/a
Horticultural Gardens n/a n/a
Inverness Park Playground n/a
Kemp Crescent Playground n/a
Kinette Park Playground n/a
Lakeside Drive n/a n/a
Lions Pool n/a Outdoor pool, washrooms
Long Drive Playground n/a
Maple Avenue Playground n/a
Marsh Pond Playground n/a
McLagan Drive  n/a n/a
McManus Drive Playground n/a
Memorial Gardens n/a n/a
Millennium Park n/a  n/a
Milton Street Playground  n/a
Monteith Avenue Playground n/a
North Shore Playground  n/a
Optimist Playground Playground  n/a
Optimist Diamond n/a Ball diamond
Oxford Street Playground  n/a
Packham Complex Playground Ball diamond, soccer field, dog park, concession, washrooms
Portia Street Playground n/a
Redford Crescent Playground n/a
Rotary Complex  n/a Ice pads, walking track, halls, washrooms
Shakespeare Street Playground All-wheels park, tennis and pickleball courts
Shakespearean Gardens n/a  n/a
Stratford Education and Recreation Centre (SERC) Playground Ball diamond, soccer field, tennis and pickleball courts, beach volleyball, washrooms
TJ Dolan Natural Area n/a

Walking and hiking trails

TRAILS ARE NOT MAINTAINED DURING WINTER MONTHS

Tom Patterson Island  n/a  n/a
Upper Queen's Park Playground Concession, washrooms
Veterans Drive  n/a  n/a
Walsh Crescent Playground  n/a

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Contact Us

Teresa Munro
Clerk, Forestry and Park Inquiries
P.O. Box 874, Stratford Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Rd., Stratford ON N5A 6W3

T. 519-271-0250 ext 244
E-Mail this contact


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