Riverview Park and Zoo

News and Special Events

Spanning over 55 acres of park area along the shores of the Otonabee River, Riverview Park and Zoo is proud to be the only free admission accredited zoo in all of Canada, open daily from 8:30 a.m. until dusk all year round. Being an entirely outdoor facility, be sure to check the forecast ahead of your visit and come dressed and prepared for the weather. 

Please note that due to necessary rehabilitation work on the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam, the August long weekend will be your last opportunity to ride the miniature train ride before closing down for the season effective Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Weather and maintenance permitting, the train ride opens daily at 10:00 a.m. with the last train leaving the station at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $2.00 per person, with kids 2 and under riding for free, and purchased directly at the train station on a first serve basis. 

Don't forget that Riverview Park and Zoo still has so many other amazing things to offer! We have 25 animal exhibits, with more than 40 different species and over 150 animals calling us home. Stop by our North American River Otter Exhibit at 1:30 p.m. daily to watch the otters receive their afternoon enrichment snack and you can ask a zookeeper some questions. Throughout the week, "Meet the Keeper" sessions also take place at 2:30 p.m. with our educators highlighting a different animal species each day. On Wednesday mornings in July and August, join us from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. for "Story Time in Critters Corner" to listen to a short story and perhaps a special critter will be on hand to help tell the tale!

We feature the City's largest playground, with a smaller tot lot for the toddlers as well as a pair of wheelchair swings. Feeling adventurous? Take a ride on our 80-foot super slide! You can also beat the heat and cool off in the splash pad, open from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. weather and maintenance permitting.

Grab a treat from our new little café, Hatch, open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. serving up specialty coffees and teas, cold drinks, fruit and baked treats, including gluten free options. Guest Services and the Gift Shop is open Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., where you can purchase ice cream, chips and candy or take home a souvenir from your trip to the zoo. Better yet, consider symbolically adopting your favorite animal, including our newest addition to the barbary sheep family!

Our free summer concert series returns this Sunday, August 3, in the Gazebo Park. Wylie Harold & Radio Flyer will be performing from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with some classic rock tunes and original blues music. Remember to bring your lawn chair and shade umbrella to help keep cool! We also have a number of free water bottle filling stations throughout the grounds to stay hydrated.

Consider booking one of our covered picnic shelters located in the lower park  to host your family reunion or a birthday party celebration any day of the week! While weekend availability is extremely limited, dates still remain open to book through to Thanksgiving Monday.

A reminder that our limited parking lot can reach capacity quickly, particularly on busy holiday weekends. Where possible, we always encourage taking city transit, carpooling, walking or riding your bikes instead. Please take extra precaution and slow down in the parking lot as excited children can unexpectedly dart out between vehicles. We ask for everyone's patience and to be kind to our hard-working staff when the lot becomes full.

We look forward to welcoming you over the August long weekend!

The Riverview Park and Zoo Team

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