Waterloo Park
Known as the jewel of the city, Waterloo Park has a lake, animal farm, picnic areas, splash pad, sports fields, playgrounds and more. Download the park map.
Visit the City of Waterloo Museum's virtual history exhibit, A Walk in the Park.
We’re currently doing repairs in Waterloo Park, along Silverlake. The trail connecting the gazebo to Grist Mill will be closed until the beginning of November. You can still access the shoreline using the boardwalk or the parking lot by Park Inn.
On this page
- Getting around the park
- Amenities, attractions and rentals
- Improvement plans and projects
- Friends of Waterloo Park volunteer group
- O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp
Getting around the park
Walk, roll, bike, take transit, get dropped off or drive — it's easy to get to the Park! It's just minutes from uptown Waterloo.
Limited parking inside the park
Please leave the few parking spots inside the park for those who need them most.
There is plenty of parking near the park — find options below.
Get directions to Waterloo Park on Google Maps
Trails |
Three paved trails travel through Waterloo Park:
Explore more walking trails on our downloadable park map or through Google Maps. You can also view trails using our in-house city map. |
Transit |
Take the IONThere is an ION stop in Waterloo Park and there are two stops nearby in uptown Waterloo:
Take the busSeveral bus routes stop near Waterloo Park:
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Bike parking |
Find bike racks near the splash pad and Park Inn concession on the east side, beside the interactive play area on the west side, and throughout the park: Check our in-house city map for more bike parking. Nearby Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex also has bike racks. |
Vehicle and accessible parking |
We have limited vehicle parking inside the park. Please leave the few parking spots for those who need them most and park near the park instead. Accessible parking Park near the parkHere are your parking options: Evening and weekends – freeWeekdays – free
Weekdays – paid
Check our Uptown Parking Map for more nearby parking options. Park inside the parkPark in the lots and not along the roadways to avoid a ticket. Here are the available lots: Westmount Road entrance
Get directions to the Westmount Road entrance on Google Maps. Central Street entrance
Get directions to the Central Street entrance on Google Maps. Young Street lot
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Amenities, attractions and rentals
Waterloo Park sits on 119 acres in uptown Waterloo. Many areas are available for rent. Learn more about hosting an event at a City of Waterloo park.
Propane BBQs are permitted in rented picnic areas, with the exception of the east gazebos. Charcoal BBQs are not permitted per the city's open air fire bylaw.
There is public wifi service at the baseball diamonds and the Skatepark.
Washrooms
Find accessible washrooms on the east and west sides of the park, and at the splash pad:
- open daily from May 1 to Thanksgiving Day
- the east side washrooms are open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during winter
Visit our public washrooms page for more washroom information.
General amenities |
General amenities and attractions include:
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Splash pad |
Find Waterloo Park's splash pad off Father David Bauer Drive, next to the Skatepark. The splash pad is open daily from May 31 to Labour Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Accessible onsite change rooms, washrooms, picnic and shaded areas are nearby. While the splash pad is not available for rent, the nearby picnic areas are able to provide privacy and shade for your event. |
Fountains, spray jets and beach area |
There are 3 display fountains along the shoreline of Silver Lake, including:
Do not enter the fountains or drink the water from them. The interactive spray jets in front of the misting tree fountain help visitors stay cool from May to September. Enjoy scenic views of Silver Lake at the sandy beach area under a blue beach umbrella. Do not fish, swim or throw sand in Silver Lake. |
Silver Lake boardwalk |
Visitors can walk over and around the lake and experience Waterloo Park from a different perspective. The city closes the boardwalk during icy conditions. |
Eby Farmstead |
From June to September, Eby Farmstead is home to a variety of animals, including llamas, alpaca, donkeys and miniature horses. The animals spend the rest of the year in their winter retreat where they are warm, safe and well cared for. Please do not feed the animals while visiting. Admission is free. |
Skatepark |
The Skatepark, off Father David Bauer Drive, offers ramps, stairs and vertical elements. It is not lit and closes at dusk. |
Grist Mill |
Abraham Erb's Grist Mill is a replica of the first mill built in Waterloo. The Grist Mill is available for wedding ceremonies from May to October. Please contact Waterloo Park customer service at 519-886-2310 for availability, viewings and booking. Parking There is no parking at the Grist Mill. Find 3 lots nearby:
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Log School House |
The Waterloo Park Log School House was built in 1820 by Pennsylvania German settlers and was designated as a heritage site in 2012. It is the oldest standing school in the Region of Waterloo and Ontario's oldest known log house. The closest parking is the Young Street lot. |
Park Inn concession stand |
The Park Inn concession stand is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting, from June until Labour Day. Drinks, snacks, ice cream and lunch items such as sandwiches, burgers and fries are available. Cash, debit and credit are accepted. The closest parking is the Young Street lot. |
Improvement plans and projects
Created in 2009, the Waterloo Park Plan provides a 20-year vision that identifies new park trends, expands on traditional roles and involves the public through an advisory committee.
Silver Lake will undergo renovation from 2019 to 2021. Improvements may include reconfiguration of the footprint and shoreline, changing depth and sediment management. Learn more on our studies page.
Friends of Waterloo Park volunteer group
This group works with the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee to promote the goals of the Waterloo Park Plan. Their goals include:
- raising the park's profile
- supporting development of new programs and events
- raising funds to accelerate implementation of key features of the plan
- proposing ways of recognizing donations, initiatives and achievements in the park
- promoting volunteerism and engaging residents in community building
Catch up with Friends of Waterloo Park on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email them at fowp@waterloo.ca.
Friends of Waterloo Park terms of reference |
Our missionThe Friends of Waterloo Park is a volunteer group that works in cooperation with the Waterloo Park advisory committee and the City of Waterloo to fulfill the goals of the Waterloo Park Plan. The Friends of Waterloo Park organize, promote and participate in events in the park and fundraise to enhance and accelerate improvements to Waterloo Park. Our goals
A brief historyThe Friends of Waterloo Park was established in April 2015 as a subcommittee of the Waterloo Park advisory committee of council (WPAC). In 2017, the subcommittee was re-designated as a volunteer group (City of Waterloo committee policy, 2007). StructureThe Friends of Waterloo Park consists of a chair, a finance team, multiple specialty teams each coordinated by a team lead, a WPAC liaison and a City of Waterloo staff liaison. MeetingsThe Friends of Waterloo Park meet in the evenings, once or twice a month, and work in the park once or twice each season. Appointment
Qualifications for Friends of Waterloo ParkThe list below outlines the requirements for being a member of the Friends of Waterloo Park.
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O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp
In 2020 members of the Indigenous community gathered in Victoria Park (in Kitchener) and Waterloo Park. Both places are important to local Indigenous history and traditions.
Known as the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp, the group gathered peacefully to advance reconciliation actions.
For more information visit the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp Facebook page and our Indigenous reconciliation page.