Trails in Mississauga

• Public washrooms at:
  • City Hall
  • Fleetwood Park
  • Library
  • Mississauga Valley Community Centre
  • Riverwood
  • South Common Community Centre

• Parking at:
  • City Centre
  • Granetwood Park
  • Riverwood
  • South Common Community Centre

• Named after Charles Cromwell Martin - December 18, 1918 - October 13, 1997
• Charlie Martin was one of Canada’s best-known World War II soldiers and a dedicated, longtime resident of this community. Born to Welsh parents, Charlie was 10 years old when his family came to Canada. He attended Port Credit High School and took up farming in this vicinity.
• In 1940, he joined the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. He was one of the first Canadians to reach France on D-Day (June 6, 1944), leading his men ashore at Bernières-sur-mer. As Company Sergeant Major (A), Charlie witnessed terrible losses that day and in the months of heavy combat that followed. He escaped death narrowly on many occasions, and was wounded severely during the liberation of Holland. Recognized for extraordinary bravery,
• Charlie was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. Fifty years later, he told his story in the book Battle Diary. His experiences were featured in a CBC documentary.
• Having returned to this area after the war, Charlie worked hard to assist his former comrades and their families. He also supported many local projects, was a school trustee, a respected leader with Scouts Canada and a Sunday-school superintendent. He helped with fund-raising for the Dixie Arena and the Mississauga Hospital.

• Washrooms at Erindale Park from May to October and at Riverwood Community Centre and Vic Johnston Arena all year round.
• Picnic area at Erindale Park. 
• Many amenities at both Riverwood Community Centre and at Vic Johnston Arena.

• From Dundas St. east of Mississauga Rd., the trail starts in Erindale Park and extends north of Britannia Rd to Pine Cliff Dr. There is a signed bike route portion that starts just north of Hwy 403 and follows along Wellsborough Place and Credit Point Dr.
• The trail provides access to Riverwood, which is a 150-acre natural area at Burnhamthorpe Rd. It is also home to Visual Art Centre and Mississauga Garden Council.
• The trail follows the natural flow of the Credit River Valley. Upon completion, the trail will connect to the Davidson Trail and future trail connections into the City of Brampton. The trail offers users the opportunity to discover some of Mississauga’s rich historical past such as churches built in the 1800s, remnants of old homesteads, dams and mills.
• Please respect these natural and cultural areas as you walk along this trail. Sections of this trail pass across private property, so please respect all signs and fences. By working together, we can ensure we are preserving and protecting our trails and natural areas for the enjoyment of future generations.

• Trail extends north to the QEW from the lakefront in Marie Curtis Park.
• Next section starts north of Dundas St. to Centennial Park
• Remaining section starts from Eglinton Avenue to the south side of Hwy 401.

• A 3.4 km trail that runs south from Derry Rd. through the scenic Lake Aquitaine Park, an active recreational area that was developed around a storm water management lake.
• Pedestrian walkways fan from the trail through the neighbourhoods, connecting schools and recreational facilities.
• Blue Jays, northern grackles, morning doves and grey squirrels are among the many birds and animals often seen among the trilliums, oaks, maples, rose hips, buckthorns and several venerable old apple trees. Many memorial trees have been planted in the park.
• The entire trail is in the community of Meadowvale, sometimes called Meadowvale West to distinguish it from the old Meadowvale Village.
• Most of Meadowvale was developed in the 1970s as a master-planned area and promoted as a "New Town in the Country." Many of the names, including Aquitaine (a historical region of south western France), were borrowed from other countries in an effort to give the places a romantic and lyrical character.
• Most of the trail is on the former Weylie (Wylie) Farm. Its northern limit lies just to the east of the historic Eden (Switzer’s) Cemetery.

• This pleasant 4.2 km trail meanders through natural areas, usually within sight of developed Meadowvale neighbourhoods. It meets the Lake Aquitaine Trail at Battleford Rd.
• t its other end, west of Lake Wabukayne, it joins Winston Churchill Boulevard and the trail that bears that name.
• Created in 1976 as a storm water management facility, Lake Wabukayne replaced the Cook farm pond. To develop the lake, damming took place on a natural creek, also called Wabukayne.
• Some old stands of oak, willow, beech and maple trees can be found near the trail. The eastern milk snake, a "species of concern" that is considered rare in the province, has been observed here.
• In total, there are an estimated 49 plant and 16 animal species in this area.
• The name "Wabukayne," meaning "White Snow," is associated with two Mississauga First Nation (Anishnabe) leaders. Chief Wabukayne was one of the representatives who signed the Toronto Purchase in 1787 and the Mississauga Purchase in 1805. Another chief, Wabakinine, headed the Eagle clan, Mississaugas of the Credit. He and his wife died on August 20, 1796, following a violent assault by a British soldier. Their murder nearly resulted in an uprising when the suspected perpetrator was acquitted.

• The Lisgar Meadow Brook Trail is a Paved 4.9 kilometre trail that extends from Britannia Rd. to north of Derry Rd., with a spur around Osprey Marsh.
• Lies within a naturalized greenbelt of the 16 Mile Creek tributary.
• 16 Mile Creek was named by early surveyors to mark the distance of the mouth of the creek from Burlington Bay.
• The pedestrian bridge that crosses the greenbelt is one of the largest in the city, spanning 60 metres (197 feet). It provides a scenic connection to the many schools and parks in the area.
• Many early pioneer families settled in the area that is now traversed by the trail (Carneys, Cordingleys, Masons, Mays, McCarrons, McGregors, Millers and Orrs) and would have been members of what was called the ‘Town Line Blazers.’
• At Derry Rd. and Winston Churchill Boulevard, was the pioneer community of Lisgar (Switzer’s Corners), from which the modern area takes its name.
• At the southwest corner of Derry Rd. and the 16 Mile Creek tributary is the pioneer Kindree Cemetery. Near the intersection of the trail and Britannia Rd. once stood an early pioneer school, S.S. #10 Trafalgar.
• The Lisgar area was incorporated into Mississauga in 1974 through the extension of Mississauga’s western boundary. The majority of development along the trail took place in the 1980s and 1990s, with some of the older woodlots remaining.
• Common trees found in the surrounding area are silver maple, red ash, willow, bur oak and a remnant of a shagbark hickory forest.
• Nesting boxes have been placed along a portion of the trail in an effort to re-establish the eastern bluebird and purple martin. Other species include northern cardinal and mourning dove.

• Multi-use through Garnetwood Park and then is a road route north of Garnetwood Park to Fieldgate Dr
• The Council of the City of Mississauga, the Rockwood Homeowners’ Association and the family and friends of Lawrence Radoslav Mitoff (1941-1999) dedicate this trail, running through the neighbourhood of Rockwood, in grateful recognition of his significant contributions to the community.
• Lorrie was a dedicated teacher and a community leader. He was awarded the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal for his innovative and caring approach in teaching troubled adolescents.
• Lorrie gave the community a voice and devoted his time and energy to preserving the environment and improving the quality of life of all Mississauga residents. He served as the chair of the Council of Concerned Residents which opposed Expansion of Pearson Airport and fought to represent the interests of the community.
• As president and founder of the Rockwood Homeowners’ Association, and with the help of many concerned citizens, Lorrie worked selflessly on several local issues and enjoyed many successes.
• This section of the city-wide trail represents Lorrie’s strong sense of community and is intended for the enjoyment of future generations.

Sawmill Creek is one of the more urban areas within the Credit River watershed, and yet you will still find wetlands, patches of forests and streams.

These areas provide habitat for trilliums, white-tailed deer, shagbark hickory and much more.

• Patches of forests and natural corridors provide opportunities for plants and animal to move and colonize.
• The areas adjacent to the stream, called corridors, act as buffers to reduce erosion, cool the water and help prevent sediment and chemical run-off such as road salt and herbicides from entering into the creek.
• The natural areas help minimize the impacts of flooding and erosion patterns, caused by urban development.
• Sawmill Creek travels over rich historical roots and heritage landmarks, such as the Adamson Homestead, Glen Erin Inn, The Grange, Lislehurst, St. Peter’s Anglican Church and the former Erindale Public School.
• Many of the early families who settled this area are commemorated by street names. The name of the creek itself provides a valuable link to our past, referencing a vital pioneer industry once located along its banks.
• Some simple actions you can undertake around your home to improve the health of the Sawmill Creek watershed include planting species native to Ontario, directing your roof downspouts onto grassed areas or into rain-barrels, and not using storm drains to discard waste products.
• As you make your way along the Sawmill Creek Trail and watershed area, please help to protect and preserve this natural area for everyone’s enjoyment.

• Washrooms available from May to October at:
  • Lakefront Promenade Park
  • Port Credit Marina
  • Rhododendron Gardens
  • Jack Darling Park
• Park benches in most of the parks that the trail goes through.

• The full Waterfront Trail, 900km, extends from Niagara to the Quebec border.
• The Mississauga portion of the trail extends from the Oakville border in the west, near Lakeview Park, to Etobicoke Creek and Toronto in the east.
• The trail is a combination of paved multi-use trail and residential streets that serve as road connections.
• Please visit the Waterfront Regeneration Trust website for more information.