Parks and Trails

Image of parks, trails, ponds, splash pads in Aurora

Important Notice: Fishing is not permitted in any pond or Stormwater pond in Aurora. This includes the Aurora Community Arboretum and the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve. Bylaw 4752-05.P

Storm Clean-up Update – July 10, 2026

Our Town staff and contracted crews continue to work hard cleaning up storm damage across Aurora's streets, parks and trails following the recent storm.

Where we're at

More than 250 Town trees have sustained significant storm damage.
Crews are continuing to remove damaged and hazardous trees along Town streets.
If a tree near your property has been cut down but is still on-site, don't worry. Crews will return in the coming days and weeks with chippers to remove the remaining wood and debris.
Trees that cannot be saved will be marked with an "R" before they are removed.
Cleanup in our parks and along trails will begin shortly. Due to the amount of damage, this work is expected to take several weeks.

The Road to Restoring Our Tree Canopy

While many trees were lost, we will restore and strengthen Aurora's tree canopy by replanting trees throughout our streets, parks and trails.

Here's what residents can expect:

If a Town tree in front of your home has been removed, staff will contact you with information about replacement tree options and the next steps.
Tree stumps will be removed in fall 2026.
New street trees will be planted in 2027.
Trees in our parks and trails will be replanted by Town staff, with support from community partnerships.

We want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding as this significant cleanup continues.

Together, we'll help Green Aurora again.

Tree Cleanup Efforts Update

As our cleanup efforts continue, please note that tree debris from private property is the responsibility of the homeowner, including debris that may have fallen onto a property from a neighbouring residence. Town crews are focused on removing debris from Town-owned trees and municipal properties only.

If the debris is from trees on your property, you can:

Take tree debris to a waste depot.
Arrange removal through a private tree service or contractor.
Set small debris on curb for your scheduled GFL yard waste collection under the following criteria only.
Branches must be no larger than 10 cm (4 in.) in diameter
Branches must be bundled and tied with twine
Each bundle must weigh 22 kg (50 lbs.) or less
Bundles must be no longer than 1.2 m (4 ft.)

Trail and Park Advisory – Northwest Area

For your safety, residents are asked to avoid trails and parks in the northwest area of Town until further notice. Staff will need time to inspect these areas for hazards such as fallen trees, damaged branches, and unsafe conditions before they can be reopened. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work through cleanup and assessment efforts across the community.

Willow Farm / Lakeview Trail Systems will be temporary closed until further notice.

Please Don't Feed the Geese, Swans and Ducks

Feeding bread, popcorn, crackers and other human foods to ducks, geese, swans and other birds can cause severe issues for their health and can cause Angel Wing. This disease is characterized by a deformity of the wing structure, where the feathers twist and curl outward, making it impossible for the bird to fly, vulnerable to predators and limits their ability to find food and migrate.

Aurora's Parks and Trails

Please do not dump household garbage, construction materials or anything else in our parks, trails and greenspaces. Let's keep Aurora beautiful.

Aurora has an extensive park and trails system and many natural areas that connect residents and visitors to nature and the community.

From landscaped public parks to environmentally sensitive river valleys meandering throughout the municipality and the Oak Ridges Moraine there is something for everyone.

The Town of Aurora currently manages over 62 parks encompassing more than 800 acres. Connecting many of the parks is a trail system of approximately 62 kilometres designed to accommodate joggers, hikers and cross country skiers. The Town is continuously working towards connecting our trails to the Regional trail system with trails that can take you all the way to East Gwillimbury to the North and Richmond Hill to the South and beyond.

View our Aurora Parks, Trails and Facilities interactive map.

As Aurora continues to grow and expand, so too, do our Parks and Trails. In the North Eastern section of Aurora a wildlife park is being developed that will include trails, boardwalks and lookouts is currently under construction.

New - David Tomlinson Nature Reserve (Wildlife Park)

Mayoyr and Council standing together at Trail 1 of the Park

On October 23, 2020 Town Council unveiled a new trail sign and officially re-named the Wildlife Park as the ‘David Tomlinson Nature Reserve’ in honour of David Tomlinson who has been instrumental in the protection and creation of the nature reserve.

The trail sign will be one of many wayfinding and interpretive signs installed in the nature reserve within the next few years.

About the Aurora Wildlife Park

The first phase of the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve is now open which includes a trail system extending from the Aurora Recreation Centre (ARC) on Wellington Street East up to Johnathan Bales Parkette on Hartwell Way, including several boardwalks and viewing platforms overlooking the ponds and wetlands.

The second phase of the reserve is scheduled for construction in 2022 and includes wetland features and additional trail connections.

Numerous trail connections have been made to local streets as identified on the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve and 2C Land Trails map. Parking to access the trails is provided at the ARC and at Johnathan Bales Parkette. On-street parking may also be provided at several street access locations.

Park users should note much of the nature reserve contains environmentally sensitive areas and habitat for many species of flora and fauna and the intent is to restrict pedestrian access to these areas to allow nature to flourish. Accordingly, fences have been installed alongside trails to reduce disturbance of these areas.

We request that park users stay on the trails and respect the truly unique features that are contained within the nature reserve. Viewing platforms have been provided at two critical locations and have been designed to screen pedestrians from wildlife that would otherwise be startled should pedestrians remain in plain view. Additional native trees and shrubs will be planted over the next few years to help buffer pedestrian activity from environmentally sensitive areas.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the Parks Division, Operational Services at 365-500-3134.