Officially opened in 1967 in celebration of Canada's 100th birthday, the garden is part of theMerritt Trail system. The Centennial Garden features a stonedust path bordered by large willow trees as the trail follows the historic Second Welland Canal, which converge with Dick's and Carter's Creeks within the park.
In warm weather the park is popular for picnics and sunbathing on the large lawns. The first half of the park is open to cars and and allows users to drive down the trail and park in the shade of the trees. Year round walking and on-leash dog-walking are popular activities.
In the summer of 2009 a community vegetable garden was sponsored by Climate Action Now in the South-end of the park and is worth investigating during the growing season.
The park also displays a pair of historic plaques, the first highlights the life of Richard Pierpont. One of the first Black settlers of the region - he fought for the British in the American Revolution, and in the War of 1812 before making his home in St. Catharines. The second plaque describes the construction and development of the original Welland Canal from 1824-1833 and its impact on the region.
Open year round from dawn - dusk
From Toronto:
QEW exit 49, St. Catharines (ON-406)
Exit Westchester Avenue
Left (north) on Oakdale Avenue
Left (west) into parking lot
From Niagara Falls:
QEW exit 44, St. Catharines (Niagara Street)
Merge onto Dieppe Road
Left (west) on Welland Avenue
Left (south) on Tasker Street
Left (east) on Oakdale Avenue
Right (west) into parking lot
If you reach the lights at Westchester Avenue you have gone too far
If interested in volunteering in the community garden with Climate Action Now they can be reached at
Phone: (289) 820-6640
Fax: (289) 820-6557
Email: can.info@cogeco.net
City of St. Catharines
Small parking lot on Oakdale Avenue
Phone: | (905) 937-7210 |
Centennial Gardens
Gale Crescent and Oakdale Avenue
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2P 2T5
Latitude: | 43.160839 |
Longitude: | -79.230291 |
Recreation & Community Services Department
City of St. Catharines
320 Geneva Street
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7C2
Tel (905) 937-7210
Fax (905) 646-9262
Email jmclaghlin@stcatharines.ca
Stonedust