Tourism

Parks & Conservation Areas

Meaford is located along the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail and it is a hiker’s paradise. Bognor Marsh and Hibou are two conservation areas in the Municipality that are quite enjoyable to visit. Hibou is open from mid-June to Labour Day weekend and it has swimming, picnicing, playgrounds, washrooms and trails for visitors to enjoy for a small fee. It is located on County Road 15, just 0.4 km northeast of Owen Sound. Bognor Marsh encompasses 668 hectares of escarpment, forests, marshes, and a stream system, among other natural wonders. There are 11.9 km of trails, an educational shelter, interpretive signs, a tower for viewing, access to the Bruce Trail, and washrooms. It is located on County Road 18, west of Meaford. For more information on our conservation areas, call the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority at 519-376-3076 or visit www.greysauble.on.ca.

Ainsley Wood Park

This park is located just north of the village of Leith, off Bayshore Road.

Beautiful Joe Park

Contact: Beautiful Joe Heritage Society
Phone: 519-538-5895
Email: admin@beautifuljoe.org
Website: http://www.beautifuljoe.org

The book “Beautiful Joe”, written in 1893 by Margaret Marshall Saunders, was the first Canadian novel to sell over a million copies. This book was based on a dog that Saunders’ family had rescued from an abusive master in Meaford. “Beautiful Joe” was named one of Canada’s ten best children’s books. In 1963 Beautiful Joe Park was created and was designated an historical landmark by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. It is the actual burial site of Beautiful Joe and home to three wonderful monuments to the relationship between humans and animals. This serene 8.5-acre park is situated along the Big Head River on Edwin Street in Meaford, and is a popular spot for many of Meaford’s visitors and locals. Anyone can stop by to take a stroll along the park trails and look at the monuments. Also, group tours can be arranged by contacting the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society.

Christie Beach

One of the best sand beaches on this part of the Bay is located at the end of Christie Beach Road, off Highway 26 east of Meaford. It features change rooms, washrooms, playground equipment, and a picnic shelter.

Fred Raper's Park

Located at the corner of Sykes Street (Highway 26) and Bayfield Street, the park has picnic tables, beachfront, and playground equipment for visitors to use. Raper’s Park and McCarroll Park are joined by a waterfront greenbelt that parallels Bayfield Street. A stone cairn, an 1800's replica cannon made at the Georgian Bay Foundry, and great shore fishing are features of this park

Hibou Conservation Area

Contact: Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
Phone: 376-3076

Take a walk on the wild side by exploring recently developed hiking trails across the road from Paynter's Bay. Along the 2.56 kilometer trail you will find interpretive signs with information on tree and shrub species, beaver activities, wildflowers, beach ridges, etc. Many stretches of the trail incorporate boardwalk to allow hikers to navigate the low-lying wet areas of the trail system.

McCarroll Park

Located on Bayfield Street just one block from downtown, the park is surrounded by mature trees that provide a shady setting for a wading pool, shuffleboard courts, picnic tables and a beautiful view of the Bay.

Memorial Park

Contact: Memorial Park
Phone: 519-538-2530 or 800-399-6323.

Memorial Park is one of Ontario’s few waterfront campgrounds. This picturesque park boasts 400 metres of shoreline, a picnic area, playground equipment and a snack bar. There is also a miniature golf course and woodland trails to enjoy. All of the trailer sites are either on Georgian Bay or a very short walk from Memorial Park’s very own beach. The campground has running water, showers, toilets, and full service hookups. The 63 fully serviced sites and 135 water and hydro serviced sites are open for camping from May 1- October 30 every year.