Top five things to do outdoors in Vaughan this summer

June 15, 2025 10:00 a.m.

Parks, trees and trails

Weather - Summer

Are you looking for fun activities to keep you and your family entertained this summer? We’ve got you covered! From exploring scenic trails to discovering vibrant public art, Vaughan offers plenty of ways to keep everyone busy and entertained.

Here are the top five things to do outdoors in Vaughan this season:

1. Take a stroll along a trail or neighbourhood walk

Lace up your walking shoes and embark on an outdoor adventure on one of the 12 Great Walks of Vaughan. There’s a trail for all ages, abilities and comfort levels. Visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks for more information and maps. You can also browse the Parks and Trails webpage for an interactive view of all trails and parks throughout the city, the Great Walks of Vaughan walking trail guide (PDF) and the City of Vaughan’s Great Walks map legend (PDF).

Note, trail access restrictions may be in effect while construction is underway at North Maple Regional Park and Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk. Check back at vaughan.ca/GreatWalks regularly for project updates and more information.

In addition to the Great Walks of Vaughan, our city has many other local trails to explore, including the Bartley Smith Greenway, William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail), and Nashville Conservation Reserve Trails that form part of the Vaughan Super Trail. Learn more about these trails at vaughan.ca/trails.

2. Discover art created by local artists

If you’re looking for an art adventure, Vaughan has 12 public art stops to add to your summer plans! One dozen traffic signal boxes across the city have been transformed into extraordinary works of art through the City’s ARTonBOXES program. Check them out at the following locations:

Ward 1

Major Mackenzie Drive and Keele Street – Maria Suzdaleva, The Calmest Hour
Melville Avenue and Springside Road – Hailey Shema, Joy

Ward 2

Woodbridge Avenue and Clarence Street – Cailin Sadecka, Ethereality
Woodbridge Avenue and Islington Avenue – Alessandra Raso, The Hunt
Woodbridge Avenue and Kipling Avenue – Allyson Safran, Mountain Vast
Woodbridge Avenue and the Market Lane Shopping Centre – Kaitlyn Hsieh, Wilderness

Ward 3

Chrislea Road and Northview Boulevard – Daniel Zhang, Muskoka Woods
Famous Avenue and Colossus Drive – Anna Ladizginsky, Twine

Ward 4

Apple Mill Road and Millway Avenue – Marni Pellicane, Beauty of Banff
Ilan Ramon Boulevard and Lebovic Campus Drive – Caia Rotman, Peggy

Ward 5

Clark Avenue and New Westminster Drive – Lorenzo Pereira Misiunas, The Lone Boat
Yonge Street and Centre Street – Rana Silakhori, Snowy Serenity

This year’s ARTonBOXES theme is the ART of HEALING. Fifteen original art designs inspired by this theme have been selected for installation on traffic signal boxes around Vaughan. Keep an eye out for this new series of art murals across the city this summer!

To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/ARTonBOXES.

3. Enjoy your local park

The City’s parks offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy, including:

baseball fields
basketball courts
bocce courts
cricket field
off-leash dog parks
outdoor exercise equipment
pickleball courts
playgrounds
skateboard parks
soccer fields
tennis courts
recreational trails
volleyball court

Visit vaughan.ca/parks for more information on open amenities.

4. Go on a bike ride through the city

Are you looking for a bike path or recreational trail to ride your bike on as the warmer weather arrives? There are many options available in the city. Vaughan’s cycling and multi-use recreational trails network consists of the following:

In-boulevard cycle tracks: designated spaces for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those walking or driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are marked with an arrow, bicycle symbol and diamond.
On-road bike lanes: designated spaces on the road for people riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters. Bike lanes are located on both sides of the roadway and users travel in the same direction as those driving. These lanes are separated from motor vehicle lanes by a white painted line.
In-boulevard multi-use pathways: shared spaces for people walking, riding bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters separate from those driving by a curb and buffer. These areas are within the boulevard along a roadway.
Multi-use recreational trails: shared spaces for walking and riding bikes found within parks and open spaces. Powered/motorized micromobility devices are not permitted on multi-use recreational trails.

Don’t have a bike? You can now rent e-bikes and e-scooters across the city! Learn more at vaughan.ca/micromobility.

For more information on Vaughan’s cycling network and trails, visit vaughan.ca/cycling.

5. Cool off at your local splashpad

The City’s splashpads are now open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., subject to weather and surface conditions. It’s the perfect way to cool down and have fun on a hot summer day!

Find a splashpad near you:

Ward 1