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
Soaring 95 feet above the Kettle Creek Valley, the St. Thomas Elevated Park is one of Canada’s most extraordinary urban park transformations. Built directly on top of the historic 1929 Michigan Central Railroad (MCR) Kettle Creek Trestle, this 850-foot-long bridge was once a vital link in North America's busiest rail corridors. Today, thanks to the vision of OnTrack St. Thomas and thousands of community supporters, it stands transformed into a breathtaking public park, flower garden, and open-air art gallery. Walk, cycle, or stroll across the original wooden railway planks while enjoying panoramic views of the valley below. The park features lush flower beds, kinetic wind sculptures, railway-inspired art pieces, picnic benches, and dramatic lighting. Sitting at the western anchor of the Whistlestop Trail, it links directly into local active transportation networks and regularly hosts community highlights like the famous Elevated Park Stargazing Nights. 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:
nearby attractions |
🕖 Hours
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk DETAILS
🦅 Birdwatching 🐕 Dog Friendly 👶 Kid Friendly 🎨 Outdoor Art Gallery 🧺 Benches & Scenic Picnic Spots 🛣️ Partially Paved 🥾 Hiking Trails 🛝 Interactive Equipment 💡 Education / Interpretation 🚗 Parking Nearby [Centre Street + Jumbo] |
