Mississauga’s fall colours begin their annual display

The days may be getting shorter, but the city is starting to come alive with colour.

Thanks to the city’s diverse urban forest, which includes trees like poplars, maples, elms, oaks, hickories and willows, you can enjoy the colours from Mississauga’s many parks and trails.

Mid-October to November is typically the best time to see the colours. Don’t miss them while they’re here! Check out a few of our favourite places to experience the fall foliage in Mississauga.

Riverwood

Riverwood is an urban oasis located right in the heart of Mississauga. In addition to its beautiful display of fall colours, this park is a delight to experience all year with its meadows, old-growth forests, ravines, wetland, creeks and diverse wildlife. It’s also home to some of Mississauga’s historical gems, including the 1919 Chappel House, now home to the Riverwood Conservancy, and the McEwan Field Station and MacEwan Barn, which still have their original hand-cut beams.

Streetsville Memorial Park

Pack a lunch, or pick up a treat from Streetsville’s bustling Queen Street South, and head to Streetsville Memorial Park to take in the fall colours along the Credit River. This large, peaceful park is family-friendly, with multiple picnic areas, a playground and open green spaces great for playing or enjoying an outdoor meal. Don’t forget to take a walk along the bridge across the Credit River to get that perfect photo!

Meadowvale Conservation Area

Looking to make a day of it? Located in north Mississauga, Meadowvale Conservation Area offers picnic spots and barbecues, open fields for games and wildlife, in addition to views of the fall leaves. While hiking along the trails, you can also stop by the remains of an early pioneer settlement, including an old mill and farmhouse.

Jack Darling Memorial Park & Rattray Marsh Conservation Area

Did you know Rattray Marsh Conservation Area has the last remaining lakefront marsh between Toronto and Burlington? The winding boardwalk takes you through the conservation, providing viewpoints to enjoy the fall colours, as well as the diverse wildlife that call it home. Take the trail to or from Jack Darling Memorial Park to enjoy the pops of fall colour against the bright blue of Lake Ontario.

Looking to take a stroll or bike ride along a trail instead? Check out the Waterfront Trail, Lake Wabukayne Trail, Lake Aquitaine Trail, Glen Erin Trail and Lisgar Meadowbrook Trail.

Protecting Mississauga’s urban forest

There are more than two million trees in Mississauga, which improve the environment, health and quality of life for all. The City’s Natural Heritage & Urban Forest Strategy, Urban Forest Management Plan and Invasive Species Management Plan and Implementation Strategy help address environmental pressures that trees face from invasive species, urban redevelopment and severe weather events.

How you can support Mississauga’s trees:

• If you spot an invasive plant species on City property like a park, trail or boulevard, you can report it using the invasive species reporting form.
• Stay on official trails to avoid picking up and spreading invasive plant seeds.
• If you see a tree that looks diseased, unhealthy or dead, report it.
• Help plant a tree though the City’s One Million Trees program.
• Get to know the trees in your neighbourhood using the City’s tree map.
• Nominate a tree as part of the City’s Fantastic Trees program and check out other fantastic trees using the interactive map.

Practise park etiquette

When visiting Mississauga’s parks, it’s important to practise your park etiquette. Please throw out your litter in the correct container, always pick up after your dog and keep them leashed, stay on the designated trails and don’t feed the wildlife.

To find a park near you, visit mississauga.ca/parks.

Tags

• Parks and Forestry
• Things to Do