St. Lawrence River Waterfront Trail

The St. Lawrence River Waterfront Trail runs along the shore of the St. Lawrence at Brockville, Ontario, one of the main towns of the Thousand Islands region. The town was founded in the 1780s and named after Major-General Isaac Brock, and its downtown streets slope down to the river. The trail is part of the longer Waterfront Trail that follows the shoreline of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence, and in Brockville it links the downtown, the riverside parks and the historic neighbourhoods near the water.

The route mixes on-road and off-road sections, with a path of about six kilometres that passes through parks, past old buildings and along the water. It is a good way to see how the town used its waterfront, as a port, a railway hub and a place of grand houses. Historical plaques with old photographs describe the railway and industrial past, and several heritage buildings stand beside the route. Fulford Place, a large Edwardian mansion built for a local businessman beside the river, is one of the best-known landmarks.

One unusual feature on the route is the Brockville Railway Tunnel, which opened in the nineteenth century and is regarded as the first railway tunnel in Canada. It is now a pedestrian attraction, with lights and sound effects that give a sense of the old trains. King Street and the Brockville Museum are a short walk from the route. The tunnel runs beneath the downtown, and its southern portal opens near the river. Nearby, Blockhouse Island and Tall Ships Landing offer green space, marina views and benches facing the water, and Centeen Park and the Aquatarium, a freshwater aquarium devoted to the river, lie close to the route.

Visitors should take care at a few points. Parts of the route involve crossing busy roads, and some streets are narrow, so watch for traffic and follow the signs. The off-road path along the water can be hard to spot where it joins other streets, so a map or phone is useful. The surface is mostly flat and suitable for walking, jogging and cycling.

The setting is the main reward. The river here is wide and busy with freighters and pleasure boats, and the Thousand Islands lie scattered offshore, accessible by cruise boats from the town. Brockville also lies within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, which gives the area ecological interest. The trail suits families, cyclists and those who enjoy history. Allow an hour or two for a stroll, and end with dinner on a waterfront patio.