Trinity-Bellwoods Park: The Complete Guide To Toronto's Best Park

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Trinity-Bellwoods is one of Toronto’s most popular parks. In a central location, with plenty of green space, sporting facilities, and nearby cafés and food outlets, it’s no surprise that Trinity-Bellwoods Park is always busy.

To help you plan your visit and make the most of this popular park, read on for everything you need to know, including information on the park facilities and the 10 best things to do at Trinity-Bellwoods Park.

Trinity-Bellwoods Park

Toronto is not short of green spaces to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. And Trinity-Bellwoods Park is no exception. This is one of Toronto’s best places to visit for a couple of hours, a whole day, or even just as a stop when you’re walking around Toronto.

Popular with local residents and visitors alike, Trinity-Bellwoods stretches 14.6 hectares of beautiful parkland in one of Toronto’s safest neighbourhoods. With sporting facilities, large green spaces, a community garden, dog bowl, playground, and a weekly farmer’s market, there is something for everyone. Plus, in the fall, it’s also one of the best places in Toronto to see colourful foliage!

A green space in a Park with two groups of people sitting at picnic tables, a couple walking two small dogs and some people relaxing on the grass in the distance.

But what makes Trinity-Bellwoods so special is the social aspect of the park. It really comes alive on warm evenings and weekends, when it is flooded with parkgoers having social gatherings, picnicking, playing games, and partying. You can even find musical performers, drum circles, and promoters handing out free foods or drinks to sample.

It can sometimes feel like you’ve stumbled upon an unofficial music festival. Although it’s a really fun time and the park has a great vibe on days like this, be warned, it does get busy. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to relax, this might not be the time and place.

Although outside of peak party times Trinity-Bellwoods is a great place to wind down and socialize in a more low-key setting. The park has a true community feel and every day locals come together here for a game of tennis, to walk their dogs, and to catch up over coffee.

A couple sitting at a picnic table in a Park, surrounded by green, yellow and red trees, as the leaves change colour in fall.

Trinity-Bellwoods Park Map

Located in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood, Trinity-Bellwoods Park is right in the heart of Toronto, amidst some of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

You can see the park’s location on the below map of Trinity-Bellwoods Park. It’s located Between Dundas Street and Queen Street West to the north and south, and Gore Vale Ave and Shaw Street to the east and west:

To navigate the park, below is a Trinity-Bellwoods Park Map, showing key points of interest:

Facilities in Trinity-Bellwoods Park

Trinity-Bellwoods Park has a number of facilities for parkgoers and locals to make the most of the park in both summer and winter. To make sure you know what to expect from the park, here is an overview of each of the facilities you will find there.

Tennis Courts

At the south east corner of the park there are 8 tennis courts. They are split into two fenced in sections with 4 courts in each. These are free public courts, so anyone can use them on a first come first served basis.

By the entrance to the courts there is a place to hang your racquet to hold your spot in the queue. Generally, the rule is that when the courts are busy you are allowed to play for up to 30 minutes at a time. If after 30 minutes you want to keep playing, you will have to get back in the queue.

An enclosed space with four tennis courts with several people playing tennis. There is a row of racquets lined up along the fence at the front of the courts, and trees are visible in the background.

The courts are at their busiest in the warmer months, on weekday evenings, between 5-8 pm. They can also get very busy on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. If you can play outside of these times you will usually be able to play for longer!

And if you’re looking to learn tennis, or improve your skills, there are tennis lessons held at the park. Although these do book out quickly, so make sure to register early on or join the waitlist.

Ice Rink

The ice rink is located at the north east corner of the park. Weather permitting, the rink is usually open from late November to March. However, exact dates are confirmed closer to the time. In the warmer months the rink is often used for roller hockey.

When open, the Trinity-Bellwoods ice rink has both public skating times and registered programs, such as hockey. The schedule will be available online for both registered and drop-in programs once the ice rink’s opening date is confirmed in the fall.

There are also change rooms with storage lockers available for use next to the ice rink.

A green field with a baseball diamond in the background, and a small group of people sitting on the grass, with blue sky above.

Softball Diamonds

There are three softball diamonds located on the east side of Trinity-Bellwoods park. One is immediately north of the tennis courts, the second is towards the middle of the park and the third is above the ice rink.

They are available for anyone to use, and if you don’t have a big enough group to play with, you may even be able to recruit some other parkgoers to join you!

There is also a registered softball league which runs from May to September, which caters to a range of different levels. Although you need to register for the program in advance and pay an annual fee to play.

Volleyball Courts

There are two volleyball courts located on the west side of the park, just north of the community centre. They are hard courts and you do need to bring your own net. But they are available for anyone to use and aren’t usually very busy.

A man walking down a pathway leading to a residential street with a red house in the centre, surrounded by green and orange trees, as the season changes to fall.

Community Centre

On the south west side of the park is the Trinity Community Recreation Centre. This is an open-concept fitness centre which has an indoor pool, pickle-ball courts, running track, dance studio and gym. There are also additional on-site facilities available, including change rooms, a crafts room and kitchen.

The centre offers both registered and drop-in sessions for children, youths and adults, music lessons, and children’s camps. There is a small fee to pay to use the facilities. For an adult, this ranges from $4.50 for a lane swim session to $13.50 for a day pass to access the lane swim, gym and fitness classes. There are also various yearly and monthly memberships available.

The community centre is open from 8 am to 9 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 8 pm on weekends. However the hours of operation for the individual facilities can vary. So it’s always best to check with the centre for the most up-to-date opening times.

A green tree-lined walkway and a children's playground in the background with blue play structures and yellow and red slides.

Playground and Splash Pad

Just north of the community centre there is a children’s playground and splash pad. The splash pad is open each year from May to September. The specific opening dates are usually announced in May, shortly before it opens.

Washrooms

There are two sets of washrooms located in Trinity-Bellwoods Park. One is on the south west corner of the park, adjacent to the community centre (just south of the playground). The other is on the north east corner of the park, on the north side of the ice rink change rooms.

The washrooms are open from 9 am to 10 pm from May to October, and from 9 am to 8 pm from November to April. Although as a warning, the cubicles in the washrooms are limited, so they can get very dirty in the height of summer. But if you really have to use them, from my experience the washrooms at the north east corner of the park tend to be cleaner and less busy.

The large white gate which is the entrance to Trinity-Bellwoods Park on Queen Street. At the front of the gate there is a street sign, a yellow traffic light and a pedestrian crosswalk.

Dog Bowl

Many Toronto parks have an enclosed off-leash area for dogs. Although Trinity-Bellwoods doesn’t have a fenced in area. Instead, in the middle of the park there is a large dog bowl where dogs are allowed to run around freely.

In previous years, throughout the summer, there have also been free movie nights held in the park, which take place at the dog bowl. The screen is set up at the bottom of the dog bowl and spectators can sit on the hill for unobstructed views. The movie nights haven’t yet been announced for 2023, but keep an eye out for them.

Greenhouse and Community Garden

Just south east of the community centre, there is a small greenhouse and community garden area. Unfortunately in 2021, the greenhouse was controversially bulldozed by the city when several homeless encampments were needlessly cleared from the park. However, it has since been rebuilt and appears to be in use again.

You should visit the Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park website for information on how you can get involved with the garden.

A small greenhouse surrounded by green grass and trees, with a small group of people sitting on the ground to the left and blue sky above.

Picnic Tables

You will find picnic tables dotted around Trinity-Bellwoods Park. However, a lot of picnickers will choose to bring a blanket and sit on the ground. There are plenty of sunny and shady spots to choose from in the park!

Water Fountains

There are several water fountains around the park. However, I have found that they don’t always work. So to be safe, I recommend bringing a water bottle to the park to stay hydrated.

10 Best Things To Do at Trinity-Bellwoods Park

1. Picnic in The Park

When I say have a picnic in the park, I use the term loosely. Above all else, Trinity-Bellwoods is a social park, so coming together with friends is the top thing to do here. A picnic in Trinity-Bellwoods will usually consist of food, drinks, games, conversation, and even dancing if the party truly gets going!

Especially on a busy summer weekend, groups of parkgoers having picnics can quickly turn into a festival-like affair. If you’re looking to socialize without the price tag of hitting the bars, then Trinity-Bellwoods is the place to be!

A large green field with small groups of people sitting and having picnics on the grass. There are several green and red trees at the end of the field and the CN tower is visible in the background, as well as two houses to the left.

Although keep in mind drinking alcohol is prohibited in public areas, and you can actually be fined up to $300 for doing so. Although it is fairly common to see people breaking this rule in Toronto. In fact, it is so common that Toronto City Council has voted to implement a pilot program to allow drinking in parks this summer! This program is still pending, but if approved it will run between August 9 and October 9, 2023.

Aside from weekend parties in the park, weekdays are also a great time to picnic in Trinity-Bellwoods. With a more relaxed vibe, this is a great way to get out and enjoy the long summer nights, without the price tag of visiting a restaurant.

People gathering in groups in a park early in the spring time, before the grass and trees have turned green.

Plus, there are plenty of great food outlets near the park, if you prefer to get takeaway!

At the southern end of Trinity-Bellwoods on Queen Street, you will find some of the best Greek food in Toronto at Agora Greek Market & Cafe. And right next door is one of the city’s most popular burger restaurants, Matty’s Patty’s. Or, if you prefer seafood, another favourite is Hooky’s Fish and Chips just a few shops east.

If you have a sweet tooth, check out Nadège Patisserie on the south east corner of the park for some of the city’s best croissants and pastries.

And if you prefer ice cream, popular iHalo Krunch is just a couple of minutes walk east of the park on Queen Street. This is probably Toronto’s most Instagrammable ice cream spot. Serving Asian-inspired soft-serve, the ice cream comes in a variety of interesting flavours such as matcha, activated charcoal and purple yam, and is served in black cones.

A row of market stalls visible through the trees at Trinity-Bellwoods Park in Toronto

2. Browse The Weekly Farmer’s Market

Every Tuesday from 3-7 pm, between May and October, the park host’s a farmer’s market in the north west corner, by Shaw and Dundas Streets. The market usually includes meat, fish and vegetable vendors, as well as stalls selling baked goods, specialty foods and even wine and cider!

3. Have Coffee in The Park

This one might not sound very interesting, but it is one of the absolute best things to do in Trinity-Bellwoods Park! Catch up with a friend to walk around the park, relax under a tree, or sit and people watch while sipping coffee. There are tons of great cafés nearby and the park is the perfect setting to enjoy a coffee.

South of the Park on Queen Street you will find the popular White Squirrel Coffee Shop. They have indoor seating, but mostly customers will buy their coffee from the window and take it over to the park to enjoy. Almost next door is The Library Specialty Coffee, which can be a little on the pricier side, but they do make an excellent coffee!

A close-up of a hand holding a clear plastic cup of iced coffee with a red and white striped straw, with tennis courts in the background

West of the park on Shaw Street (walk west from the playground) there is Found Coffee – an excellent Australian coffee shop. This has quickly become a Toronto favourite, serving specialty coffee, oatmeal, toast and baked goods, with a community feel.

And finally, Morning Parade Coffee Bar is a great option north of the park, on Dundas Street, for coffee, pastries and sandwiches.

4. Play Sports

One of the most popular activities to do at Trinity-Bellwoods Park is to play sports. With 8 tennis courts, 3 softball diamonds, 2 volleyball courts and lots of open space, there are plenty of sports to choose from!

A couple sitting on a park bench in front of an enclosed area with four tennis courts, watching the tennis players.

4. Ice Skating & Hockey

Luckily sports in Trinity-Bellwoods aren’t limited to the summer months. In winter, the most popular activity in the park is to skate on the ice rink. There are a mix of free public skate sessions and organized programs to partake in, so you can get your hockey or ice skating fix.

6. Swimming at The Community Centre

A popular sport which you can do at any time of year at Trinity-Bellwoods is swimming! The indoor pool at the Trinity Community Recreation Centre is open all year for drop-in sessions and registered programs. Although times do vary throughout the year, so make sure to check with the centre for their up-to-date schedule.

7. Music and Dancing

Bordering some of Toronto’s most artistic neighbourhoods, Trinity-Bellwoods attracts a wide range of talents and creatives to the park. On a busy evening or weekend you will often come across musical performances in the park, from jazz bands to guitarists and singers, there’s a little bit of everything.

The park is also a great place to let your hair down. You will sometimes see people having their own dance parties, or even just enjoying a silent disco on their own!

And on weekends, free-spirited locals will sometimes partake in drum circles. These events often start with just a few drummers, but quickly grow to a large group of people joining in and dancing to the beat.

8. Go Tobogganing

In the winter when it snows, Trinity-Bellwoods park is one of the best places in Toronto to go. The slope leading down to the dog bowl is the perfect place for tobogganing!

The slope isn’t too steep, so you can easily hike back up. And it’s wide enough to avoid collisions. It might not be the most exciting hill in Toronto, so may not appeal to daredevils. But this is still a great place to have some winter fun.

A snow-covered field at night, with trees and houses in the background and the CN tower visible in the distance

9. Try Slacklining

Towards the middle of the park, just south of the dog bowl, you will almost always find people slacklining. This activity is similar to tightrope walking, except the line is bouncier, allowing users to do tricks as well as walking on the line.

There are a number of metal posts here to string the lines between. So you can either bring your own line or ask if you can have a go on someone else’s. Everyone here is very friendly and they are usually happy to give anyone interested a go!

10. See The Cherry Blossoms

Although this doesn’t last long, seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom is one of the most popular activities to do at Trinity-Bellwoods park. The park is home to around 70 cherry blossom trees, making it one of the best places in Toronto to see these light pink flowers. They will usually bloom at the end of April or early May, for one to two weeks.

Most of the cherry blossoms are found on the south east corner of the park. Here you can get some great photos, and you can even capture the CN tower in the background!

A wet pathway lined with pink cherry blossom trees on each side and green grass in the background.

And once cherry blossom season is over, you have the whole summer to enjoy the beautiful green spaces in the park before it lights up with its next array of spectacular colours in the fall.

Final Thoughts – Trinity-Bellwoods Park

Trinity-Bellwoods Park is one place which really exudes the life and soul of Toronto. It’s one of the best places to come together with friends, relax and do outdoor activities in the city.

And there is always something to do at the park – from socializing, enjoying live music and people watching, to trying new sports, buying local produce and eating delicious food. Plus there are facilities to cater to everyone.

So, if you’re going to be spending some time in Toronto, I definitely recommend checking out Trinity-Bellwoods Park!

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