Eramosa River Trail facts for kids
The Eramosa River Trail is a fun walking path in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It stretches for about 4.1 km (2.5 mi) right beside the beautiful Eramosa River. The trail starts near the Gordon Street covered bridge and goes all the way east to Stone Road. It's also part of a bigger network of paths called the Royal Recreational Trail. At its start, it connects with the Downtown and Speed River parts of that trail system.
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Cool Places Along the Trail
The Eramosa River Trail takes you past many interesting spots in Guelph.
The Famous Covered Bridge
The well-known Lattice Covered Bridge is a special wooden bridge. You'll find it at the beginning of the Eramosa River Trail, close to the Guelph Lawn Bowling Club. This bridge is just for people walking or biking across the Speed River.
It was built on June 1, 1992, with the help of 400 volunteers! These volunteers were all members of the Timber Framers Guild. The bridge was designed using old building styles from the 1800s. It's one of only two lattice-covered bridges in all of Ontario.
Parks and Rivers You'll See
The trail goes through or very close to several parks in the city. These include York Road Park and Eramosa River Park. It also runs near the Royal City Jaycees Bicentennial Park. The trail follows the pretty Eramosa River and ends where it meets the Speed River.
Trail Surfaces and Sections
The Eramosa River Trail has two main parts, each with a different feel.
The Western Part: Smooth and Easy
The western section of the trail follows the north side of the Eramosa River. It runs from the Lattice Covered Bridge to Victoria Road. This part is about 2.3 km (1.4 mi) long. It's wide and flat, with a surface made of crushed stone dust. This makes it a very easy and level path for walking or running. This western part of the trail is also easy for wheelchairs to use between Lawrence Avenue and the intersection of York Road and Gordon Street.
The Eastern Part: Natural and Adventurous
At Victoria Road, a bridge lets you cross over to the eastern section of the trail. This part follows the south side of the Eramosa River. It's about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long and goes from Victoria Road east to Stone Road. This section is a natural path, which means it's narrower and has more plants growing around it. It's not as smooth as the first part, offering a more challenging and natural trail experience.
There's been a suggestion to officially make this eastern part a formal extension of the Eramosa River Trail. However, this idea hasn't happened yet.
Parks Along the Trail
The Eramosa River Trail goes through parts of three parks: York Road Park, Eramosa River Park, and Lyon Park. Each park has different things to do and is used by various groups in Guelph.
These parks are also used for special events, like charity walks to raise money for important causes. Sometimes, the local army reserve even uses parts of the parks for training exercises.
Many people love to take photos in these parks. The Guelph photography club has a collection of pictures from the parks and along the Eramosa trail. Because the area has a lot of history, you can also find historical walking tours here.
York Road Park Features
- Hardball fields
- Softball fields
- Soccer fields
Eramosa River Park Features
- Volleyball courts
- Hardball fields
- Play area for kids
- Leash-free zone for dogs
- Shaded areas to relax
Lyon Park Features
- Outdoor ice rink (in winter)
- Outdoor swimming pool (open from June 30 to September 5)
- Softball fields
- Mini soccer fields
- Play area for kids
