Things to Do in Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Hill's strangest asset is an observatory in a suburban park. Add a lake with a boardwalk in Oak Ridges, a city-owned stage on Yonge Street and a list of playgrounds built around one idea each, and most attractions in Richmond Hill are run by the City and sit outdoors.
Last reviewed November 1, 2026 by the York Happening editorial team.
South end: the observatory and Mill Pond
David Dunlap Observatory Park is the reason many people come. The park has 3.7 km of accessible trails and free parking, and the City lists free self-guided tours at set times. The observatory itself runs tours and astronomy programs for all ages. Groups use a booking request form, so check the observatory page before you plan a night visit.
Mill Pond Park, at Mill Street and Trench Street, is the quieter stop. It has a boardwalk, a trail, a gazebo, a playground and washrooms, and it has skating in winter when the weather permits. It also pairs well with an evening at the Centre for the Performing Arts on Yonge Street.
David Dunlap Observatory Park
Observatory, 3.7 km of accessible trails, tours and astronomy programs.
123 Hillsview Drive, Richmond Hill
Mill Pond Park
Boardwalk, trail, gazebo and playground, with winter skating if the weather permits.
Mill Street and Trench Street, Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
A City-owned theatre with a concert and theatre season, guest shows and a film series.
10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
An 1840s Regency-style cottage, once the home of Amos Wright, in Amos Wright Park.
North end: Lake Wilcox and the big parks
Lake Wilcox Park has the lakefront promenade and boardwalk, plus a splash pad, a playground, a skate park, picnic space, washrooms and four parking lots. Swimming is not allowed there, so treat it as a place to walk and not a beach.
Phyllis Rawlinson Park, just north of 19th Avenue, is the long-walk choice. It has trails, an off-leash dog area, the Celebration Forest and the Robert Holland Interpretive Centre.
Richmond Green suits people who want to play something. The site has an indoor sports centre, Tom Graham Arena, a skateboard park, a skating loop, a splash pad, an amphitheatre and the Boynton House Art Exhibition Space.
Lake Wilcox Park
Lakefront boardwalk, splash pad, playground and skate park. No swimming.
Bayview Avenue, between Bayview Park Lane and North Lake Road, Richmond Hill
Phyllis Rawlinson Park
Walking trails, a picnic area and an off-leash dog area.
11715 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill
Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park
Arena, sports centre, skating loop, splash pad and art space.
1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Playgrounds with a story
Other towns have playgrounds. Richmond Hill publishes a showcase of them, and a parent can build a morning around one. Snakes and Ladders Park is a life-size board game. Bradstock Park has a life-size kaleidoscope tunnel. Jefferson Salamander Park tells the salamander life cycle through its play structures and paving, and its parking is in Lake Wilcox Park.
For hot days, David Hamilton Park, Crosby Park and Morgan Boyle Park all have splash pads. Crosby Park also has a large inclusive playground, a sensory garden and wide sloped trails.
Snakes and Ladders Park
A life-size board game and a playground.
51A Mancini Crescent, Richmond Hill
Bradstock Park
A life-size kaleidoscope tunnel and a teleidoscope viewer.
194A Driscoll Road, Richmond Hill
Crosby Park
An inclusive playground, splash pad and sensory garden behind Centennial Pool.
161 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill
David Hamilton Park
Two playgrounds, a splash pad and a walking loop with light installations.
311 Valleymede Drive, Richmond Hill
Fall colour walks
The City names several fall colour spots. The Elgin Mills Greenway runs through forest behind Elgin West Community Centre, where you can park. The South Richvale Greenway follows the Upper East Don River, with parking at Richvale Community Centre. Newberry Park, at 227 Bernard Avenue, has a paved wetland trail and ponds.
When it rains
Indoor choices are fewer here. Look at the Centre for the Performing Arts calendar, the exhibitions at Boynton House, or a library branch. Central Library is at 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Green Library is at 1 William F. Bell Parkway, and Oak Ridges Library is at 34 Regatta Avenue. Check branch hours first.
Getting around without a car
Yonge Street is the spine of the city. YRT and Viva run along it, and GO's Richmond Hill line serves the city on its own schedule. Check that schedule first, because service differs by day.
Upcoming events
From the York Happening events calendar, updated daily.
November General Meeting: Guest Speakers Claudette Sims and Isabella Marchese, "Managing Garden Pests in an Eco Friendly Way"
McConaghy Centre · 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the David Dunlap Observatory?
Yes. The park is at 123 Hillsview Drive, and the City lists free self-guided tours at set times, plus tours and astronomy programs at the observatory. Check the observatory page for current dates.
Can you swim in Lake Wilcox?
No. The City does not allow swimming at Lake Wilcox Park. The park has a boardwalk and a splash pad.
Where is the boardwalk in Richmond Hill?
Lake Wilcox Park has a lakefront boardwalk, and Mill Pond Park also has one.
What are free things to do in Richmond Hill?
The themed playgrounds, the Lake Wilcox boardwalk, Mill Pond Park and the trails at David Dunlap Observatory Park are good free choices. Parking at the observatory park is free.
Sources
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