There are a few more weeks left of the summer, and if you’re looking for the perfect getaway while the weather is still relatively warm, then check out the township of Uxbridge — home to the new Urban Provincial Park. This year-round day-use park is about 50 km (or an hour’s drive) from the busy streets of Toronto, and it’s Ontario’s first and only urban provincial park!

Uxbridge’s new provincial park

The 1,315 acres (526 hectares) of sprawling land consists of six unconnected properties within the Uxbridge area. Right now, the only parcel that’s currently available for public use is located at Old Stouffville Rd. Still, there are a few gorgeous trails and natural areas to explore, providing the perfect excuse to take the day off from work or school and go on a self-guided hike, explore the trails via biking, or even go bird-watching (solo or with the family).

Throughout the park, visitors will discover paths made of interlocked bricks, a large wooden dock overlooking a small wetland area, as well as a few sand barrens and old-growth forest.

It’s the perfect opportunity for a leisurely hike one afternoon without having to stay the night. If you’d like to make it a weekend trip, then check out nearby camping facilities and overnight options.

While the park is currently made up of unconnected parcels of land, in the future, these parcels might be linked by other lands, recreational areas, and trail systems, meaning visitors could possibly hike or bike from Lake Ontario up to Uxbridge and other local communities — all through natural areas!

Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park is located at 565 Old Stouffville Rd., Uxbridge, Ont. (this entrance has six parking spaces, while the 579 Old Stouffville Rd. entrance has four parking spaces).

How to spend a day in Uxbridge

After you’ve gotten your fill of nature, there’s plenty of other places to explore in this quaint township.

Find out more about the town’s history

Uxbridge takes their history seriously — there’s a whole historical centre dedicated to it! For a more immersive experience, go on the Uxbridge Historical Walking Tour, which will take you through over 37 stops, from churches to heritage homes to cultural institutions.

Have a picnic in the park

Uxbridge is home to many parks for its small size, but the best one might be Elgin Park. Stunning in the summer, winter, spring and fall, you can walk there easily from downtown. If you’re making it a fall road trip, don’t miss the Uxbridge Fall Fair, which takes place in the park from Sept. 6-8 this year. If you’re there in the winter, you can enjoy the Fantasy of Lights holiday light show.

Catch a show at Uxbridge Music Hall

This historic venue has many of its original features, from opera chairs to a chandelier, and has shows all season long, from bands to book tours theatre productions.

Go on a beer and cider tour

Uxbridge is home to plenty of incredible local beer and cider breweries — so why not make it a tour? Try small-batch traditional cider from Banjo Cider, black currant, cherry or apple varieties at Slabtown Cider and handcrafted beers at The Second Wedge Brewing Co. 

Visit an award-winning bookstore

For the bookworms, there’s a must-see spot in downtown Uxbridge — Blue Heron Books. A two-time winner of the Libris Award for the best bookstore in Canada, you could spend hours in this beautiful shop. Browse literary classics and new releases — and then grab a coffee and read your newly-purchased book at The Bridge Social, which is connected to the shop.

Get your groceries at a farmers’ market

The Uxbridge Farmers’ Market will make your visit to this town even more worth it — running from May to October, you can enjoy locally-grown produce, baked goods and more at this Sunday market. Enjoy some live entertainment while you’re there and leave with your groceries for the week!