Play

Enjoy the Playground!

One of the largest, most diverse and accessible playgrounds in the region. Ability-inspired playground equipment includes monkey bars, interactive games, slides, climbing rocks and musical instruments for all ages of children from tots to teenagers. Make sure to take a turn on the 80-foot super slide!

Riverview Park and Zoo is home to the first two wheelchair swings installed in the province of Ontario.

Learn More About the Rotary Playground Project

Covered picnic shelter with picnic tables and shade trees

Have a Picnic!

Picnic tables, benches and shaded grassy areas are located through the Park and Zoo and are a perfect place to stop and rest.

Three picnic shelters are available for large groups to rent from Victoria Day through to Thanksgiving Day weekend. Each shelter has a view of the river and is surrounded by a grassy park area.

McBride Island is a small island across from Picnic Shelter 1 where picturesque views of the Otonabee River can be seen.

Book a Picnic Shelter Here

section of the walking trail along the Otonabee River in the fall

Walk Along the Nature Trail!

Approximately one kilometer in length, the walking trail winds along the shore of the Otonabee River. It extends from the Dobbin Building all the way to the picnic shelter area and can also be accessed from the back of the playground area.

Enjoy the scenery and see how many birds and wildlife critters you can spot along the way. RPZ is a proud partner of the new Bird Friendly Peterborough.

Find a Trail Map Here

Play Disc Golf!

A challenging disc golf course is located at the north end of the Zoo. Bring your own frisbee and play the 18-hole golf course year-round or add the 9-hole course, the summer months (May - September). Fun for all ages and abilities, get your frisbee into the basket in the least amount of throws.

Borrow both individual and family kits from the Peterborough Public Library to give it a try!

Visit the Peterborough Disc Golf Club for hints and rules of the game.

Disc Golf Map

Donate to support the Rotary Accessible Playground Project and be part of an inclusive future for our community!

Support Playground Improvements

Donate Here

Playground Highlights

80- foot super slide
Accessible playground equipment, such as wheelchair accessible swings, sensory play items, and more
Toddler play area
Rock climbing area
Hatch Coffee Shop - walk-up cafe serving snacks and drinks (all proceeds support the Park and Zoo)
Critter's Corner - area where we host free storytime sessions with a visit from a zoo animal

two climbing rocks and how to guide in playgroup with boy

staff members at the top of the green super slide

Riverview Park and Zoo is open year round. Many of our animals are extremely active during the winter months. Under a beautiful blanket of snow, come explore your favorite summer destination in the winter!

Winter Activities to Explore

Go Cross Country Skiing!

Cross country skiing or snow shoeing through the riverside picnic areas (we have plenty of open space but do not have groomed ski trails).

Learn More About the Rotary Playground Project

Walking trail with wooden fence covered in snow and ice on the trees

Winter Walk!

Simply enjoy a nice walk or shoe shoe through the park and zoo areas.

Try winter bird watching or tree identification as a fun outdoor activity.

Trail Map

Visit the Animals!

Visit the animals in their outdoor exhibits, they love winter too!

The Bactrian Camels, Eurasian Lynx, Yak and many other of our species thrive in the Canadian climate.

Learn More

Grab a Warm Drink!

Support Riverview Park and Zoo by buying yourself a Bird-Friendly coffee or Hot Chocolate to keep warm as you enjoy a winter visit to the park and zoo. Proceeds support Riverview Park and Zoo.

Learn More about Bird-Friendly Coffee

Winter Hours Now In Effect - We look forward to seeing you again on the Victoria Day weekend in May!

Miniature Train

Seasonal Hours

Thing to Know Before Riding the Train

Open during the summer season every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Open during the fall season weekends only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost is $2 per person, with children two years and under riding free.
The train will only operate under safe conditions. Rain, thunder, lightning and strong winds prohibit train operations for your safety. Logging on the dam will also prevent train operations – conductors will open as soon as they can.
The train does not run on a fixed timetable, but runs (during operating hours) as frequently as possible/needed to accommodate riders.
First-served basis – reserved rides are not permitted.
Cash, debit and credit accepted.
The train does not travel through the zoo to see the animal exhibits; it travels across the river and into the forest.
Unfortunately we cannot reserve tickets for large groups.
Wheelchair accessible cart on train – please let the conductor know when purchasing tickets.
Tickets for the train are purchased at the train station on the day of your ride.
Sensory notice – the train can be loud and does enter through a dark tunnel.
The train is a part of the Access 2 Members – support workers do not have to purchase tickets when accompanying during rides, simply let the conductor know and show your Access 2 card upon purchase.

The miniature train ride is an 1860 locomotive replica. Located at the south end of the Zoo under the sabre jet, the train track is over two kilometers and the ride is approximately ten minutes long. Our miniature train ride has been in service for over 50 years and is in need of replacement. If you are interested in helping support our new train campaign, please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps!

Closed for the Season: Splash pad to reopen following the Victoria Day weekend in 2025

Splash Pad

Seasonal Hours

Visit the splash pad to stay cool while you visit! Available both weather and maintenance permitting, our splash pad is open during our summer season from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Watch for alert banners to be posted with status updates ahead of your visit. Dumping buckets, water cannons, geysers and bubblers will entertain children for hours during the sunny days of summer. Just press the sensor to turn on the water. Change rooms are found in the public washrooms just beside the splash pad. Please note that the splash pad is unsupervised. Parents/Guardians are responsible for their children.