- 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
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.
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.
Walk Along the Nature Trail!
Approximately one kilometre 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.
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 during 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.
Thing to Know Before Riding the Train
- 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. It 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.
- Tickets for the train are purchased at the train station on the day of your ride.
- Unfortunately, we cannot reserve tickets for large groups.
- Wheelchair accessible cart on train – please let the conductor know when purchasing tickets.
- Sensory notice – the train can be loud and does enter through a dark tunnel.
- The train does not travel through the zoo to see the animal exhibits; it travels across the river and into the forest.
- 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!
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 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.
Go Cross Country Skiing!
Cross country ski or snowshoe through the riverside picnic areas. (We have plenty of open space but do not have groomed ski trails.)
Winter Walk!
Simply enjoy a nice walk or snowshoe through the park and zoo areas.
Try winter bird watching or tree identification as a fun outdoor activity.
