This underrated Ontario trail system has boardwalks that wind through ponds and wetlands

Spring calls for outdoor adventures, embracing the sun and smelling the flowers — it’s May, after all. There’s no better time than now to explore all of Ontario’s natural beauty. If you want our recommendation, a trip to the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve is a must. With several boardwalk trails and platforms overlooking ponds, its trail system is worth a trip.

Your adventure begins in the town of Aurora. From Toronto, it’s less than an hour’s drive north of the city.

According to the Town, it’s home to about 62 km of trails that connect neighbourhood parks, town facilities, and green spaces. “The majority of our trails are compact gravel surfaces with some asphalt sections through neighbourhood and community parks, and are considered multi-purpose trails for all to enjoy,” the Town adds.

But one of its larger trail systems is within the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve.

What to know

Its trail system extends from the Stronach Aurora Recreation Centre (SARC) on Wellington Street East up to Jonathan Bales Parkette on Hartwell Way, per the Town.

There are a few ways to access its trails. Its eastern portion can be accessed from 300 William Graham Dr. (opposite Radial Drive) as well as the trail entrances at 90 and 222 Conklin Cres.

As for the new western trail section, it can be accessed from entrances at 75 Tonner Cres. and 86 Scrivener Dr.

The more ways to access this system, the better. The trail system includes several boardwalks and viewing platforms overlooking the ponds and wetlands.

Fiberwalk Inc., the company behind the David C. Only Boardwalk and Indo-Malaya Boardwalk at the Toronto Zoo, collaborated with the Town of Aurora to bring a few projects to life – including these boardwalks.

Custom-built boardwalks

Two custom boardwalks were designed and built, and a lookout deck using Fiberwalk Panels as part of the David Tomlinson Trail network.

“These 10-foot (3-metre) wide structures, measuring 265 feet (81 metres) and 180 feet (55 metres) respectively, help navigate wet areas and stream crossings along the trail,” shares the Fibrewalk site.

“A highlight of one boardwalk is a 20-foot (6-metre) clear-span panel that provides a wider gap beneath the structure, allowing a significant stream to flow through the forest with minimal impact on natural drainage patterns, while bringing users through the heart of the woods.”

It’s work worth seeing — and venturing on.

Please remember these rules

If you do decide to venture up to Aurora and take a walk along these trails, the Town asks that visitors please respect the natural environment, stay on the main trails, and keep dogs on a leash. Cyclists are asked to dismount when crossing the boardwalks.

“Park users should note much of the nature reserve contains environmentally sensitive areas and habitat for many species of flora and fauna and the intent is to restrict pedestrian access to these areas to allow nature to flourish,” adds the Town. “Accordingly, fences have been installed alongside trails to reduce disturbance of these areas.”

David Tomlinson Nature Reserve and Trail

Where: David Tomlinson Nature Trl., Aurora, Ont.

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