Centennial Park

Centennial Park — Etobicoke’s sprawling green giant

Toronto’s second-largest park unfolds across the west-end district of Etobicoke — roughly 213 hectares of greenhouses, sports hubs, a BMX centre and a man-made pond. Whether you’re chasing a personal best on the track or wandering a tropical greenhouse, there’s room here to spare.

Highlights

• Centennial Park Conservatory — three free greenhouses: a cactus house, a tropical house and a seasonal show house.
• Pan Am BMX Centre — a competition track built for the 2015 Pan Am Games.
• Etobicoke Olympium — an aquatic and athletic centre, alongside a stadium with an eight-lane track.
• Man-made pond — an ~11-acre pond with adjacent marshland, good for fishing.
• Free disc golf course — 23 baskets open to all.
• Multi-sport hubs — soccer, cricket, baseball/softball, pickleball and beach volleyball.

What you’ll find

At about 213 hectares (525 acres), Centennial packs an extraordinary range of facilities into the west end.

• The free Centennial Park Conservatory and its three greenhouses
• The Pan Am BMX Centre and a stadium with an eight-lane track
• The Etobicoke Olympium aquatic centre and an arena
• A large pond with marshland, plus a 23-basket disc golf course
• Sports hubs for soccer, cricket, baseball, pickleball and beach volleyball

Things to do — and who it’s for

• Families — free greenhouse visits, open lawns and bookable picnic areas.
• Sports players & leagues — fields and courts for nearly every game, from cricket to pickleball.
• Cyclists & BMX riders — the Pan Am BMX track plus room to ride.
• Garden & nature lovers — rotating conservatory displays and pondside marsh.
• Anglers & casual visitors — fishing at the pond, disc golf and outdoor fitness.

Getting there & practical

The park lies in Etobicoke, in Toronto’s west end, reachable by bus with connections to the subway. The conservatory is free, as is much of the parkland; some facilities and leagues are bookable. It’s open daily — the BMX track runs dawn to dusk roughly May–November — and its size rewards a half-day or more.

When to visit

The conservatory rotates flower displays year-round, so there’s always colour under glass. Spring through summer is peak season for field sports, cycling and picnics, with the BMX track running dawn to dusk from roughly May to November. In winter, tobogganing returns and a new skate trail adds cold-weather appeal.

Good to know

Centennial Park opened in 1967 for Canada’s centennial, created by the then-Borough of Etobicoke on the former Hirons family dairy farm. It has since hosted 1976 Paralympic events and the 2015 Pan Am Games BMX competition, and is a designated team-training venue for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Visitor tips

• Start at the free conservatory — three greenhouses make a good all-weather stop.
• Book picnic areas ahead if you’re bringing a group.
• Check BMX track hours (dawn to dusk, roughly May–November) before you ride.

Questions & answers

How big is Centennial Park? About 213 hectares (525 acres), making it Toronto’s second-largest park after Toronto Island Park.

Is the conservatory free? Yes — the Centennial Park Conservatory and its three greenhouses are free to visit.

Can I ride BMX here? Yes — the Pan Am BMX Centre, built for the 2015 Pan Am Games, is open dawn to dusk from roughly May to November.

Is there a ski hill? No — the former downhill ski and snowboard operation closed permanently in 2022, and the slope is being reimagined for tobogganing and winter use.

What can I do at the pond? The ~11-acre man-made pond and its marshland are a spot for fishing and quiet walks.

Is it good for team sports? Very — there are hubs for soccer, cricket, baseball/softball, pickleball and beach volleyball, plus a stadium track.