Lakeside Park located in Kitchener,Ontario

Cherished by many neighbours, loved by the community and often described as an urban oasis, Lakeside Park is quietly tucked away in the heart of Kitchener, near St. Mary's Hospital, as seen on the maps below. Lakeside Park provides a place for local residents, as well as hospital employees,

visitors, and patients a place to either have some fun with their families, enjoy some quiet time, or just go for a stroll and listen to the constant sound of the happy fowl coming from all corners of the park. My son loves watching the geese take off or land in the water!

Parking

Parking at the park is a little tricky. There are two good places for parking. One would be off Lakeside Dr. between Gatewood Rd. and Blueridge Ave. The second would be if you enter the Greenbrook Water Treatment Plant off of Greenbrook Dr. and follow it past the buildings. If you need more help please let me know. I have included the map location of each parking lot below.

There is also a paved asphalt pathway that runs all from Highland Road to Stirling Avenue and connects to various other nearby community trails. These trails are maintained , even in the winter, making the park and nearby trails very accessible for all.

Lakeside Park features many natural habitats, including wetlands, a large pond/ small lake, lots of woods as well a rolling, grassy hills. The park also includes amenities for active living such as a large playground (with swings, a slide, a little table for snacks) toboggan hill sloping away from the park, a winter skating rink brought to you by the Kitchener Rangers Winter Scene.

The large pond, known as Shoemaker Pond, is a key natural feature, surrounded by forest, natural meadow and cut grass. Lakeside Park provides a rest stop for many migratory and breeding birds, and is home to many different animals. In recent years, due to turtles homing in he sand of the playground, there was a turtle beach built. Lakeside Park is considered an Ecological Restoration Area (look at photos below for more detail). The park and neighbourhood have been taking recycling and keeping the park clean a priority. I for one find this to be very nice and I appreciate it very much.

I have been fortunate to have been able to take many pictures at Lakeside at all times of the year. This park is so diverse and offers up so many  awesome locations for taking photos. I have added a small gallery to showcase some of these photos taken. If you are interested in having your photos taken at this park or anywhere else, call me at 2266007892 or email me at photofromthesoul@gmail.com

Here are some links if you want more info or want to stay up to date on some things that are happening at Lakeside Park.

There is a Lakeside Park Newsletter, you can read the most resent edition by clicking here:Newsletter.

You can also look up more info on the City of Kitchener page by clicking here: City of Kitchener Page.

I hope to see you enjoying this park as much as my family and I do.

-Jen