Burgess Park

  • Open to Public: Yes
  • Size: 43 ha (108 acres)
  • Entry Fee: None
  • Permitted Activities: Hiking, dogs-on-leash, fishing, bicycling (all other activities prohibited)
  • Facilities: Parking lot, trail sign kiosk, benches, portable toilets (seasonal)
  • Address: 403 Tecumseh Street, Woodstock
  • Managers: City of Woodstock
  • Trails: 6 km, mostly pea gravel, with connections to Standard Tube Park trails and other trails
  • Links: City of Woodstock Trails

The Burgess Park property is owned by the UTRCA but managed by the City of Woodstock, Parks and Recreation Department. It is located along the South Thames River in west Woodstock. Together with the adjoining Standard Tube Park (City owned and managed), it is one of the largest natural areas in the city.

Burgess Park contains rich flood plain forests, hardwood swamps, marshes, conifer plantings, and regenerating farm fields. The property contains the provincially significant Burgess Park Wetland, dominated by Silver Maple, willow, Manitoba Maple, Green Ash, and Bur Oak. The community has partnered with the UTRCA and the City to help restore the former farm fields to native woodlands, wetlands, and prairie habitats since 2004.

There are over 10 kms of foot trails in the Burgess/Standard Tube trail system. There are unique cement boardwalks over the wetter sections of the trail system. There is an accessible fishing dock at the parking lot of the Dundas Street entrance of Standard Tube Park. The Burgess Park trails also connect with the trails of Roth Park and Pittock Conservation Area to the east. Please stay on designated trails to protect the sensitive ecosystems.

Birding is a popular activity on the trail and some 109 species have been submitted to eBird (see Woodstock – Lower Burgess Park) as of January 2022. Look for waterfowl, Great Blue Herons, eagles, and songbirds near the river. Many warblers pass through in spring.

Additional Information / Reports

A Master Plan for Burgess and Standard Tube Parks was completed in 2014 and is available from the City of Woodstock website.

A wooden trail leads into a forest.
A dirt trail meanders along a river.