Killarney Lake Park, located on the city’s north side and just a seven-minute drive from downtown, spans over 645 hectares (1,500 acres) and offers more than 35 km of multi-use trails for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Killarney Lake Park was first conceived in 1977, when the City began acquiring land for a large park on the City’s northside. Prior to becoming a nature-based park facility, the area was logged aggressively for centuries, and experienced significant disturbance and impact. Because of this history, the entire park landscape is classified as an early successional forest with juvenile ecologies (i.e. shallow and infertile soils, limited species diversity, etc.). It is, in terms of forests, relatively young.
The land area within Killarney Lake Park has been classified according to four Management Zones:
- Conservation
- Natural Environment
- Recreation
- Sport Tourism
Each has a different approach to the type of activities that the area can support, and the kind of management that will be used to steward the natural and cultural resources. This is based on an analysis of the ecological sensitivities of the existing conditions of the park. Recreation and Sport Tourism utilize less than 9% of the park.
The Killarney Lake Management Plan was adopted by City Council in June 2020 and is intended to:
• Compliment the vision for Odell Park, towards a sustainable future
• Develop a park capable of providing the recreational needs that Odell Park does not have the capacity to absorb
• Serve as a regional sport/competition hub.
As directed by the Plan, staff are working with designers and an ecologist to ensure:
• Areas of increased ecological potential are identified.
• Uses are realigned away from these areas as required.
With over 90% of the 1,594 acres / 645 hectares of Killarney Lake Park remaining in its natural state, the City’s approach ensures that enhancements respect the park’s ecological integrity while supporting year-round, multi-use recreation.
The Recreation & Leisure Master Plan is focused on making recreation more readily available to all individuals, households and groups. The plan’s guiding principle of improving recreation for all means reducing barriers to participation through appropriate services, programs, scheduling, and sensitivity to the accessibility, affordability, and equity needs of all community members.
Existing uses:
-
Walking trails
-
Snowshoe trails
-
Running trails
-
Hiking
-
Orienteering
-
Biking trails
-
Cross Country Ski Trails - competition level
-
Cross Country Ski Terrain Park
-
Beach and Swimming
-
Accessible small craft boat dock (e.g. kayaks, paddle boards)
-
Wildlife viewing
-
Fishing
-
Picnicking
-
Lodge rentals
-
Washrooms
-
Trail signage
Additional Development Underway:
-
Disc Golf - Year-round use, Competition LeveL
-
Mountain Biking - Skills Park, Year-round Trails, Competition-potentiaL
-
Inclusive Natural Play Area
-
Accessible Beach Access
Park planning is an important part of how the City manages its land, and funding for improvements is guided by Council priorities. The Killarney Lake Management Plan was shaped by extensive public input, helping to set key goals and priorities. Steps included stakeholder engagement, creating detailed designs, and carefully planned and coordinated upgrades.
Current Plans
