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THE ELEVATED PARK TRAIL

9/2/2024

1 Comment

 
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​Check out Canada’s first elevated park! Enjoy breathtaking views 95 feet above the ground as you stroll or bike along scenic trails surrounded by art, music, and greenery. Connecting into the Trans Canada Trail, you can continue on for a bigger adventure as well. It’s a unique adventure you won’t want to miss when you visit the Railway City!

Details

  • 8.5 km total
  • Approximately 2 hours to complete
  • Good for all skill levels
  • Easy to moderate
  • Gravel trail for walking, hiking, & cycling
  • Parking available
  • Best time to travel is March to November

gear

  • Running shoes or hiking boots
  • Water
  • Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, long sleeves)
  • Snacks 
  • Camera
  • Clothes suitable for the weather conditions
​📍 Location: 1 Centre Street, St. Thomas, ON
The Elevated Park features stunning art sculptures and local pieces from the St. Thomas - Elgin Public Art Centre. As you stroll along the paved pathways, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of a charming farm and a winding river below. The park features benches along its paths where you can sit, take in the views, and enjoy the weather!

The park's trail extends beyond the elevated rails onto a gravel path, surrounded by lush fields of greenery. This 8.5 km out-and-back trail takes approximately two hours to complete, offering a refreshing and scenic walk through nature.

A gentle breeze keeps you cool as you walk!
​This peaceful and quiet trail is ideal for bird watching, offering numerous sightings along the way. The Elevated Park offers a non-traditional setting and provides a fresh perspective to enhance your bird-watching adventure!

history

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​The St. Thomas Elevated Park is Canada's first-ever elevated park, soaring 95 feet above the ground to offer a unique park-in-the-sky experience! Located at the western edge of St. Thomas since 1929, it spans the historic Michigan Central Railroad Kettle Creek Bridge, which once accommodated more than 40 trains a day at its peak.

​This is truly a unique experience to enjoy with friends and family when you visit St. Thomas! Stand where history was made and discover the city’s transformation into the Railway City!

Native plants & environment

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​The Elevated Park is surrounded by lush greenery designed to support Canada’s pollinators and wildlife. At the West end of the park, you’ll find native Carolinian trees along the Arboretum Line!

The park is also working to plant Pawpaw trees! These trees produce the largest fruit of any native Canadian tree and they bloom in late October. For centuries, Pawpaw trees were a crucial part of Indigenous diets. The fruit is edible and has a flavor that blends mango, pineapple, and banana.

Pawpaw trees support a variety of wildlife, including opossums, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, and birds!

authors thoughts

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​The Elevated Park is one of my favourite attractions in St. Thomas. It’s a peaceful space rich with art, colour, and personality that brings a sense of joy. Seeing the area from this unique viewpoint helps put everything in your life into perspective, allowing for reflection on our growth, changes, and experiences as individuals. This environment is perfect for self-reflection; sitting on a bench, taking in the view, and considering the progress of society can also inspire appreciation for our own personal development.

If you're new to St. Thomas or just passing through, this is a must-visit spot in town. I can't recommend it highly enough!!

accessibility & Rules

The Elevated park is wheelchair accessible!
​
Park Rules:
  • All dogs must be on a leash
  • Please ensure that all small children are accompanied at all times.
  • Do not walk in the flower beds or climb the railings. Stay safe at all times.
  • Please remove all waste. Don’t litter.​

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author 

CHARLOTTE BARNES
Born and raised in St. Thomas, Charlotte is having fun celebrating St. Thomas as the 2024 Railway City Tourism Assistant. Pursuing Biological Science at the University of Guelph, Charlotte has a deep appreciation for local small businesses and the agricultural community. Charlotte hopes to inspire those to seek and experience the wonders of St. Thomas. ​
1 Comment
Glen Bennett
5/18/2025 06:46:37 pm

This park looks and sounds like a great place To visit. Thank you I enjoy this.

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