Owen Sound · on map.ca

Harrison Park

More than 40 hectares of streams, trails, gardens, playgrounds, forest and green space in the heart of Owen Sound.

The park

John Harrison's family donated the park to the city about a century ago. On transfer it was recognized as one of Ontario's most beautiful parks, and the city still calls it the jewel in the crown. Entry to Harrison Park is free and free parking is available.

What is in the park

Harrison Park Inn. Full-service, licensed, year-round restaurant in the park. Patio in summer.
Harrison Park Family Campground. Full-service campground with cabin rentals. Registered campers swim free at the pool.
Swimming pool and splash pad. Outdoor pool and splash-ground, open in summer.
Putt ’n Paddle. Mini-putt, paddle boats and canoes on the pond.
Boat rentals. Paddle boats and canoes from the kiosk.
Basketball court. Full court beside the playground. Pickup on Tuesday nights in the demo events.
Playgrounds. Two playgrounds near the Inn and the campground.
Tennis and pickleball courts. Courts by the campground.
Bird sanctuary. Ponds and waterfowl along the river, a park fixture for generations.
Weaver’s Creek Falls. Boardwalk viewing area at the south end of the park.
Black History Cairn. Built by the Owen Sound Emancipation Festival, marking the end of the Underground Railroad. Emancipation picnic every August.
Toboggan Hill. The park hill, the one everyone in town has gone down.
Open-air rink (Good Cheer). Outdoor rink by the pavilion in winter.
Pavilion and picnic shelter. Covered shelter for picnics, yoga, and Music at Harrison.
The lawn stage. The open lawn by the pond where movie nights and music set up in the demo.
Trailhead to the Bruce Trail. The park trails join the Bruce Trail south to Inglis Falls and the Centennial Tower.
Main parking. Free parking. No shoreline parking on Festival set-up days.
Washrooms. By the Inn and the campground.

Through the seasons

Spring. Weaver's Creek runs loud, the trilliums come up along the river trail, and the campground opens in May.
Summer. Pool, splash pad, paddle boats on the pond, mini-putt, the Inn patio and a full campground.
Fall. Salmon run up the Sydenham, the hardwoods turn, and the Bruce Trail to Inglis Falls is at its best.
Winter. The Toboggan Hill, the open-air rink, and the Festival of Northern Lights through the park from mid November to mid January.

Festival of Northern Lights

Started by Marie Walpole in 1987. About 25 kilometres of light strings and 400 lighted displays at the harbour, along the Sydenham River, on city streets and through Harrison Park. The Infinity Tunnel: a 120-foot drive-through and walk-through installation with computer-controlled lighting synchronized to sound. Mid November to mid January (2025 season: November 15, 2025 to January 11, 2026).

Events looking for a lead

Pickup Basketball, Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., June to September, Basketball court. Show up, get picked, play. Balls provided. All ages after 6:30, adults after 8.
Yoga in the Park, Saturdays 9 a.m., May to September, Pavilion lawn. Bring a mat. Rain moves it under the pavilion. Pay what you can.
Outdoor Games, Sundays 2 p.m., July and August, The lawn. Spikeball, bocce, giant Jenga, a cornhole ladder. Gear in the pavilion bin.
Movie Nights, Fridays at dusk, July and August, The lawn stage. Inflatable screen by the pond. Bring a chair. The Inn runs the popcorn.
Music at Harrison, Thursdays 7 p.m., July and August, Pavilion. One Canadian act a week under the pavilion roof. Summerfolk’s home town, after all.
Hike and Report, First Saturday, all year, Trailhead. Walk the trails with the park crew, flag what needs fixing, earn the merch. See Report and Rewards.

On the map

Explore: Every feature in the park, on the map and in a list.
Camp and Stay: The Family Campground, cabins, and what registered campers get.
Trails and Falls: River trail, Weaver’s Creek Falls, and the Bruce Trail to Inglis Falls.
Play: Pool, splash pad, paddle boats, mini-putt, courts and playgrounds.
The Inn: Harrison Park Inn, year-round and licensed.
Events: Basketball, yoga, outdoor games, movie nights and Music at Harrison, each looking for a lead.
Winter: Toboggan Hill, the rink, and the Festival of Northern Lights.
Report and Rewards: How a report moves, and the hiking rewards poster.
Book a Venue: Cabins, sites, the pavilion, the Inn and the lawn.
Contact: City of Owen Sound parks, campground office, directions.

Contact

75 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2G8. Campground office 519-371-9833, vacation@owensound.ca.

Built for demonstration purposes by map.ca. Harrison Park is a City of Owen Sound park; this page is not the city’s and the rewards program on it is an idea, not a program.