Newmarket's parks and trails are a great place to enjoy the outdoors. It is important to have as little impact on the natural environment as possible. Please stay on the trail and avoid walking or biking through natural areas. When disposing of any items, please use the waste and recycling bins provided.
A good rule to follow when enjoying the outdoors is: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Share our trails and parks
Be courteous and share the trails with all users (walkers, runners, cyclist etc.). Remember to keep to the right and pass on the left. Cyclists are reminded to use safe speeds, avoid cycling on busier paths, water pedestrians by running a bell if you need to pass (slow down and pass at a lower speed) and to dismount or slow down at bridges. If the trail or park is busy, consider going to another trail or returning at a later time. Consider visiting a York Regional Forests and/or trail nearby.
If you encounter a portion of the trail or natural habitat that requires any attention, please contact the Town of Newmarket.
On this page
Etiquette
When enjoying the trails, please respect signs indicating that some trails are reserved for foot traffic. If you are cycling or blading, please stay on the main cycling trail and return another time on foot to use the hiking trails.
Whether you are walking, running or biking, the trails are for everyone's enjoyment, please be safe and courteous around others. It is standard practice, when passing, to make others aware of your presence. Use a bell on your bicycle or call “on your left” to announce that you are passing another trail user.
Cyclists, rollerbladers, skateboarders and similar fast-moving persons must:
- Yield to pedestrians
- Keep to the right, pass on the left when it is safe to do so
- Let pedestrians know you are approaching with a friendly greeting, or by ringing your bell.
Winter activities
Residents and community members are reminded that Newmarket parks are not maintained for winter activities (skiing, tobogganing, skibob, snowboarding). Please take extra caution and use at your own risk.
Pets
When enjoying the parks and trails please stoop and scoop and remember to keep your pet on a leash at all times in accordance with the Animal Control By-law except in designated off-leash areas like the Global Pet Foods Newmarket Dog Park.
Share Newmarket Trails
We want to ensure all trail users have a great experience on our trails. It is important that we show compassion, patience and are mindful of our actions when on the trails. Everyone’s comfort level on the trails is different, so let’s do our part and keep Newmarket’s trails safe and enjoyable for all.
Tip #1: Mind your pets. Keep them leashed.
Our furry-legged friends love the trails, but not all trail users know how to act around our pets and vice versa. Remember to keep your pets on a short leash at all times in public spaces. A short leash allows you to keep your dog close and under control and help prevent uncomfortable run-ins with others. Mind your pets, keep them leashed and make Fido a great trail ambassador.
Tip #2 Use safe speeds
Trails allow all users (cyclists, walkers, joggers, families with small children, and dog walkers) to move at their own pace. Everyone’s comfort level on the trails is different. What feels safe for you doesn’t necessarily mean it feels safe for everyone else. Use your best judgment and be mindful of others. Using safe speeds means you are putting the needs of others above your own and practicing compassion and respect — all great traits we need to continue to practice. Be mindful of others, put others first and keep the trails safe and enjoyable for all!
Tip #3: Take the trail less travelled
We challenge you to take the trail less travelled. Tom Taylor Trail along Fairy Lake may be the most popular trail in Newmarket, but did you know we have a wide range of other trails you can visit as well? Have you visited the Dave Kerwin Trail on Gilpin Drive, or one of the trails within York Region’s Forest Tract? There are over 2,400 hectares of protected land, and 23 properties with more than 150 km of trails for the public to use.
With more people heading outdoors for much-needed exercise and for mental health purposes, the Tom Taylor Trail has gotten extremely busy. Help keep the trails safe for all by taking the trail less travelled, or consider going at off-peak times.
Tip #4: Be alert
Everyone likes to enjoy the trails differently. Some like to go solo in silence, listen to music or chat with those in their households. Staying alert and aware of your surroundings helps create a safe trail experience for all and makes your actions more predictable for other trail users to act accordingly.
Always looking behind you before changing directions or passing another trail user. Keep to the right and pass to the left. If you are using headphones, keep the volume low or with one earbud out. Wheels yield to heels — bikers and rollerbladers should yield to walkers and runners. Slower and more vulnerable trail users should get the right of way. Be a good role model and help keep the trails safe and enjoyable for all.