Parks & Recreation 

Throughout the Township, residents can enjoy a variety of recreational areas including neighbourhood and community parks, as well as municipal open space.

Parks and other natural areas are special places. Help us keep them "special" by abiding by the few basic rules in place to preserve and protect our parks, including:

- Motorcycles, ATV's, trucks, cars, snowmobiles, etc., are not allowed in parks or municipal open space areas except in designated parking areas. If you are not sure of the designated areas, call your Parks and Recreation Department.

- "Stoop and Scoop" after your pet.

- Don't litter.

- Plants, trees, and other vegetation are important to any park, please don't disturb or damage them.   

Playing Fields
The Township boasts a variety of outdoor playing fields and surfaces for residents to enjoy. Soccer pitches and softball diamonds can be found at a variety of locations throughout the Township.

Along with these facilities, additional playing fields and outdoor recreation opportunities are available on Board of Education properties.

Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department to receive more information and to book a playing field for any recreational activity.

Recreation Centres
We have three community centre facilities available for a variety of public and private events and activities.

ESSA ADMINISTRATION CENTRE
5786 County Rd. 21
1-1/2 miles east of Baxter
Committee Room: (capacity of 25)
Council Chambers: (capacity of 140) meetings and seminars only

ANGUS RECREATION CENTRE
8527 County Road 10, Angus
Gymnasium: (capacity of 250-300).
Facility includes kitchen, showers/change rooms. Available for basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics, floor hockey, banquets, weddings, etc.
Banquet Hall: Capacity of 140 without partition, 60 with partition
Winter Ice Surface: (October 1 - March 31)
Summer Surface: (May 1 - September 15)
L.L.B.O Licenses & "Smart Serve Servers" required for all licensed events.

Skateboard Park - Angus Recreation Centre

Outdoor Pads 
Wildflower Park - Public Skating, Ball Hockey, Practices
Outdoor Pad - Stonemount Park, Ball Hockey

THORNTON ARENA
242 Barrie Street, Thornton
Banquet Hall: (capacity of 125 with tables and 200 with chairs only)
Meeting Room: (capacity of 50 seats)
Winter Ice Surface: (October 1 - March 31)
Summer Surface: (May 1 - September 15)
L.L.B.O Licenses & "Smart Serve Servers" required for all licensed events.

Outdoor Pads
Thornton Arena - Public Skating, Ball Hockey, Practices - Outdoor Basketball
Baxter Ball Diamond Park - Public Skating, Ball Hockey, Practices

To book or rent Township Facilities, please contact Jocelyn Glass. 

For rental fees, see our Fee Schedule.

Cellphone Ban in Changerooms

Parks
There are 26 park locations throughout the Township including playground, camping and passive park facilities. Ball players of all ages enjoy six municipally owned ball diamonds and access to five non-Township-owned playing fields. Two diamonds are lit for night play action. Four soccer pitches are used by the growing number of soccer enthusiasts in the Township.

NEW - Adopt-A-Park
Why should I participate in the Adopt-A-Park Program?
Group Volunteer Agreement Form
Individual Volunteer Agreement Form

Parks & Recreation Committee
Parks and Recreation Committee is comprised of one representative of Council and five members of the public. The members of the public are appointed for three years coinciding with the term of Council. The Committee acts as an advisory body regarding recreation and cultural activities. For information on when and where the Committee meets, contact the Recreation Coordinator/Programmer.  Minutes of the Parks & Recreation Committee can be viewed in the Government Events calendar.