St. Thomas Elevated Park
Access from King Street & Centre Street • St. Thomas, Ontario
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🌉 Canada’s first elevated park — and one of Ontario’s most iconic landmarks
An engineering marvel from 1929, the St. Thomas Elevated Park transforms a historic railway bridge into a one-of-a-kind public greenspace high above the Kettle Creek Valley. As Canada’s first elevated park, it offers unmatched views, striking public art and murals, and a unique outdoor experience along the Trans Canada Trail. Visit the park for stunning views of the Kettle Creek Valley, to explore unique public art and murals, and discover native Carolinian trees along the Arboretum Line as the West end of the Park. BackgroundThe Michigan Central Railroad Kettle Creek Bridge has stood at the western edge of the city since 1929, a towering steel structure that once carried over 40 trains a day. Today, it has been transformed into the St. Thomas Elevated Park — Canada’s first elevated park and one of the most distinctive public spaces in Southwestern Ontario.
Spanning 850 feet long and 30 feet wide, this reimagined railway bridge now offers panoramic views of the Kettle Creek Valley, public art and murals, and the Arboretum Line, a trail featuring native Carolinian trees. As part of the Trans Canada Trail, the park welcomes walkers, runners, cyclists, and curious visitors eager to connect with the city's rich railway heritage. Led by On Track St. Thomas, the same community group that preserved the CASO Station, the Elevated Park stands as a powerful symbol of local pride, transformation, and creative reuse. 🤔 WHAT IS AN ELEVATED PARK? Simply put, it’s a park in the sky, some 95 feet over the Kettle Creek valley.
Now that the double tracks are gone, the massive MCR bridge structure offers a massive space, 30 feet wide and 850 feet long, that can be redeveloped as a park with flower beds, trees, benches, public art and a trail for walking, running and biking. A great place to wander, sit, walk the dog. How about wedding photos and grad photos? A unique venue for art shows or busker festivals. Many decommissioned rail bridges have been put to use as walking and biking paths. This vision is bigger, and over the next several months we will be seeking your support to make this project truly unique and exciting. 
🌟 What to Expect at St. Thomas Elevated Park:
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🕖 Hours
Open Dawn to Dusk DETAILS
🦅 Birdwatching 🐕 Dog Friendly 👶 Kid Friendly 🛣️ Partially Paved 🥾 Hiking Trails [links to Trans Canada Trail] 🛝 Interactive Equipment 💡 Education / Interpretation 🚗 Parking Nearby [Centre Street or at Jumbo] |
