Parks and Pavilions

Regional Parks are intended to accommodate a wide array of high level developed outdoor facilities and opportunities that appeal to people of all ages, abilities and cultures. The unique natural and man-made features and the higher scale of culture and recreation facilities found in Regional Parks attract visitors from across the City and beyond.

To book one of our regional parks please visit the Events page.

Community parks attract visitors from beyond a neighbourhood to across the City. Predominantly medium size parks accommodating mostly intermediate and higher level sport and other recreation facilities, with some parks entirely or partially comprising natural heritage features.

To book one of our community parks please complete a Special Events Planning Guide and Application.

Neighbourhood parks are intended to serve the close-to-home social and recreation needs of a neighbourhood or part of a neighbourhood – and to be a gathering place for the neighbourhood. Generally smaller parks within a 5 to 10 minute walk, supporting less organized, passive activities for all ages. Please view the parks map to find a park near you. 

To book one of our neighbourhood parks please complete a Special Events Planning Guide and Application.

Last Updated: 09/05/2023

Beavermead pavilion

This pavilion is located at Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr.

The pavilion features:

• a covered top with one side enclosed with a wall barrier
• 32 picnic tables available for use
• water source attached to pavilion
• hydro available
• washroom facilities

The park has an accessible playground, beach, soccer fields and beach volleyball courts.

Note: rental of the pavilion does not include the sport fields or beach volleyball courts. They can be booked for an additional fee, if available.

Nicholls Oval pavilion

The pavilion is located in Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Armour Rd.

The pavilion features:

• a covered top with one side enclosed with a wall barrier
• 32 picnic tables available for use
• water source is available at the washroom building
• hydro available
• washroom facilities
• pavilion is 2,800 square feet.

The park also has an accessible playground, rugby field, stage, walking trails and a splash pad.

Note: rental of the pavilion does not include the rugby field. The field can be booked for an additional fee, if available.

Heritage pavilion

The pavilion is located in Ashburnham Memorial Park beside the Peterborough Museum and Archives at 300 Hunter St. E. Located near the famous Peterborough Lift Locks and Parks Canada Visitor Centre, and future home of the Canadian Canoe Museum. This site provides a beautiful setting for weddings and special events.

The pavilion features:

• covered roof and open wood sides
• 15 large picnic tables
• hydro
• A portable washroom is available at this site. Access to the Museum and Archives is limited to pre-scheduled visits only.

You may bring your own tables, chairs and decorations for your event provided the site is restored to its original state, following your event.

Note: a fire extinguisher is required if you are having a barbeque. The extinguisher is available through Community Services with a $75 credit card deposit.

Picnic table access

Picnic tables are provided at the pavilions, however they are chained up in long rows. If you wish to move them around, you will need a key to unlock the chain.  Once you have booked and paid for your rental you can pick a key up at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre front desk no earlier than three (3) days prior to your event. You must bring your contract/permit with you and show it to the front desk receptionist (digital copy is fine).  You will be charged a deposit of $25, that will be returned when the key is returned.

The tables must be put back in a row and chained back up at the end of your rental.  They key then must be returned to the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre no later than two (2) days after your event.

Note: you must return and lock the tables in their original location at the end of your event.

Shared use and enjoyment of parks

City Council approved a Parks and Facilities By-Law on August 12, 2019. The intention of the Parks and Facilities By-Law is to balance uses to ensure the shared public use and enjoyment of public parks and facilities and the protection of the natural environment. The By-law clarifies the expectations for shared used and enjoyment of parks, putting them into a legal document.

View the staff report from August 12, 2019

Some key points in the By-law

When the lights go out (Section 10)

Lights in public parks are normally scheduled to automatically turn off at 11 p.m. Basically, parks close at 11 p.m. – as much as any open space can really be closed. The by-law states that parks are closed between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., except for approved events or when people are passing through a park on a trail or pathway.

Activities requiring a permit (Sections 12 and 13)

Exclusive use of a sport field or court: Organized league play is an exclusive use of a public space for a period of a time. It’s an appropriate use of parks and facilities, but it needs to be scheduled and regulated. And there are times when people shouldn't be on sport fields, such as when they're too wet in the spring and could be damaged by heavy use.

Exclusive use of a pavilion or park: Events requiring exclusive use of a portion of a park, or a pavilion requires a permit. Depending on the activities for the event, additional documentation and insurance requirements also must be met.

Events with alcohol: Events that will include alcohol requires adherence of both municipal and provincial guidelines. A permit is required to access the space.

Events with BBQs or grills: Events that include cooking on a BBQ or a grill requires a permit and proof of insurance.

Fireworks and open air burning:

• Fireworks are not permitted on municipal property. Commercial grade fireworks are only permitted to be discharged from the Fireworks Barge on Little Lake. 
• Open air burning is not permitted within the City of Peterborough. Special consideration may be granted for educational or ceremonial purposes.

Large speaker systems: Someone using a large speaker system in a public park is likely affecting someone else’s enjoyment of that public space. Before they go setting up that public speaker system, they would need to get permission.

Sales of food, drink, or merchandise: Anyone wanting to sell or advertise food, drinks, merchandise, and services in City parks and facilities requires a vendor permit.

Temporary structures: Setting up a structure, hut or tent in a public park also requires permission from the City. A structure, hut or tent occupies, either temporarily or longer term, space that’s for the shared use or enjoyment of the public.

Visit the Facility Booking page to review the application process and request a permit.

Activities subject to specific rules (Section 14)

The City may establish conditions or restrictions for some activities that take place in public parks to ensure their shared use and enjoyment and to protect the natural environment.

Section 14 of the by-law lists activities that are permitted but that may be subject to conditions or restrictions for the benefit of all who use parks and to protect the natural environment. Here are some examples of activities and reasons that the City may consider putting in place conditions or restrictions on those uses of parks:

• Taking a boat through a park, launching a boat, or putting your boat on the shore or beach in a park but avoiding areas where people swim;
• Playing sports, which could include designating some areas for sports while other areas of parks are for passive use for other people;
• Riding a bicycle, for example bicycles shouldn’t be used on sport fields;
• Skateboarding, rollerblading or roller skating, which could be designated activities in some park areas and prohibited in other park areas;
• Swimming, wading or bathing, such as where and when those activities can occur in public parks;
• Using a motorized vehicle but restricting their use to parking lots and driveways; and
• Using a model airplane, helicopter, drone, rocket or boat but restricting the hours during which they may be operated, the places where they can be operated and other potential conditions and restrictions for their safe operation.

These activities can take place in public parks but could be subject to conditions and restrictions.