Welland Canals Parkway Trail

Address / Location

Starting at the Flight Locks in south St. Catharines, running north to the St. Catharines Museum and Lacrosse Hall of Fame Museum at the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3. The trail then travels along the water's edge, under Queenston Street and on to Lock 2. At this point, the trail crosses Carlton Street and continues into north St. Catharines; terminating at Lock 1 with links to Malcolmson Park and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail.

Overview

The Welland Canals Parkway is a key component of the linear park system in St. Catharines (and the Niagara Peninsula). It parallels the route of the Welland Canal from Lake Ontario (Lock One) to Glendale Avenue, just south of Lock Three. This is a 3m wide asphalt trail, for walking or cycling connecting a number of destinations and parks along the canal. The Parkway connects to the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail at Charles Ansell Park which is just south of Lakeshore Road at Lock One. The trail crosses most major east-west roads in St. Catharines and provides users with opportunities to enjoy the Garden City's parks system, or stop along the way for a snack or visit some of the commercial areas of the city. Of key interest along the trail are locks one, two and three, and the Welland Canals Centre and Museum at Lock 3. The trail passes through the Grantham Ward, St. George's Ward, and the Merritton Ward before heading south to the flight locks in Thorold. The Welland Canals Parkway Trail represents a link to both the city's industrial heritage and recreational future.