Easy hikes and walks in First Lake Regional Park

The Sackville Greenway Bridge spans the Little Sackville River and provides safe, elevated pedestrian crossing. Though small, the bridge is a picturesque part of this beautiful area and gives an elevated perspective into Lower Sackville's river habitat.

The Little Sackville River is an important freshwater tributary of the Sackville River that flows through the urban Sackville valley before joining the main Sackville River and emptying into the Bedford Basin. The river is a beautiful backdrop for Sackville Greenway users, rich with plants, birds, and other wildlife. The Little Sackville River has faced historical environmental challenges like a severe urban toxic spill in 2002 and has been treated back to health as part of community conservation efforts. Fish habitat restoration sites and rock sills were built along the banks, engineered to protect the local fish populations like wild salmon.

The Sackville Greenway sits in the heart of Lower Sackville, and follows the Little Sackville River. This paved, fully accessible pathway stretches approximately 1.5 kilometres one way, linking a few parks and neighbourhoods between Sackville Drive and Glendale Drive. The wide, flat terrain makes it a year-round destination for walking, cycling, strollers, wheelchair users and winter cross-country skiing.

This small waterfront park sits on the shores of Bedford Basin, with open views across the water toward the hills on the opposite side of the harbour. Benches, picnic tables, and a playground make it a pleasant place to pause, while the adjacent Bedford Outdoor Pool adds to the park's community feel during the summer months.

Stretching along the harbour and Lake Ontario shoreline, Admiral Harry DeWolf Park combines waterfront paths, marina views, and open green space. The park is named after Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf, one of Canada's most decorated naval officers and a key figure in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Benches along the shoreline provide a place to watch sailboats moving through the harbour, while the mostly level paths make this an easy stop on a longer waterfront walk.

Sheltered from the open waters of Lake Ontario, Mill Cove offers a quieter stretch of shoreline where sailboats, marina traffic, and waterfowl are often found. The cove sits at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek and provides pleasant views across Oakville Harbour and the surrounding waterfront parks. Benches and lakeside paths make it a good place to pause during a walk, especially when boats are moving through the harbour or the sun is setting over the water.

Jack Lake is a quiet spot tucked within the forest of Sandy Lake Park, reached by a short trail through mixed woodland and wetlands. Surrounded by mature trees and marshy shoreline habitat, it’s an ideal setting for birdwatching, and the water often reflects the surrounding forest on calm days. There is a small clearing near the shore that’s a great place to pause and enjoy this beautiful natural setting.

This trail is a flat route that follows an old logging road through pockets of mature Acadian forest and wetlands to the quiet shoreline of Jack Lake. The trail is generally easy to follow but can be muddy and uneven, with rocks, roots, and wet sections, so plan accordingly before you head out. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of birds and other wildlife, making it an ideal path for a peaceful walk to immerse yourself in nature.