Community News

6 OF THE BEST PLACES TO PICNIC

NIAGARA FALLS, ST. CATHARINES AND FORT ERIE HOST SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR PICNIC SPOTS IN THE REGION

ABBY GREEN agreen@metroland.com

Summer has officially begun, and what better way to celebrate the nice weather than with a picnic?

Niagara has some beautiful spots with gorgeous scenery to bring your blankets and baskets to for a nice afternoon out.

Here are six places across the region recommended for picnicking:

NIAGARA FALLS — BOTANICAL GARDENS

Niagara Parks' Botanical Gardens, located at 2565 Niagara Parkway, features 40 hectares of beautiful gardens. As part of the gardens, guests can see beautiful perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, herb and vegetable plantings, as well as the rose garden which features over 2,400 roses.

ST. CATHARINES — JAYCEE GARDENS

Jaycee Gardens Park at 543 Ontario St. in St. Catharines has amenities for the whole family. There are lovely gardens to sit at and there's a playground up top for the kids. The waterfront section backs onto Martindale Pond, and if guests follow the trail that goes through the park, they will end up in Port Dalhousie.

LINCOLN — CHARLES DALEY PARK

Charles Daley Park in Lincoln features a 22.5-acre waterfront park with two beaches and creeks. The Rotary bandshell hosts concerts by local bands, every Tuesday evening in July, that are free to attend.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — QUEENSTON, SIMCOE, AND MCFARLAND

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a popular picnic spot, with multiple popular parks. Queenston Heights and Simcoe Park are popular spots that offer beautiful sights and sprawling greenery.

McFarland Park Picnic Pavilion at 15927 Niagara Parkway is a nice spot to picnic, with McFarland House located on site. McFarland House is one of the oldest houses in Niagara and they have a tea room where guests can enjoy a snack.

FORT ERIE — CRYSTAL BEACH WATERFRONT PARK

Fort Erie is known for its beautiful beaches but the Crystal Beach Waterfront Park is a perfect spot away from the sand for a picnic. This park features scenic vistas, a Corporal Albert Storm fire-truck themed playground and a boat launch.

THOROLD — MEL SWART/ LAKE GIBSON CONSERVATION PARK

Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park in Thorold wraps around Lake Gibson, a man-made lake created by flooding Beaverdams Creek. The 27acre land has walking trails through wooded areas, plenty of open space for picnics, lots of parking, sections of preserved wetlands, viewing platforms and more. The Park is also a popular photo spot because of the boardwalk that runs on top of the lake.

THINGS TO DO

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2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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