York Regional Forest

York Region maintains four trails accessible to wheelchairs, strollers and other assistive devices in the York Regional Forest. Each trail ranges between 1.5 to 2 kilometres and loops through a variety of landscapes.  

Accessible trails are wider, clear of large obstructions and graded for ease-of-movement for all visitors; they are designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Accessible parking is available. 

Locations

1. Hall Tract at 15681 McCowan Road (North of Aurora Road) in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

• 1.5 kilometres of accessible trail

2. Hollidge Tract at 16389 Highway 48 (North of Aurora Road) in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

• 1.8 kilometres of accessible trail
• Electric Vehicle charging stations available

3. North Tract at 17054 Highway 48 (South of Davis Drive) in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

• 1.7 kilometres of accessible trail

4. Nobleton Tract at 5345 15th Sideroad in the Township of King 

• 1.7 kilometres of accessible trail

Dog walking is one of the most popular activities in the York Regional Forest.

To provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience for all, dogs must be on-leash at all times in all York Regional Forest tracts, except in designated areas. The designated off-leash areas are:

• Bendor and Graves Tract (entrances at 17858 McCowan Road and 17689 Kennedy Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury)
• Davis Drive Tract (entrances at 4277 Davis Drive and at 17242 McCowan Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville)

There is also an enclosed dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract at 17858 McCowan Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury.

For more information including on-leash tract, off-leash tract and enclosed dog off-leash area rules visit  york.ca/DogsInTheForest

Rules

The following rules are in place for visitors to the York Regional Forest:

• Dogs MUST be leashed at all times, except in designated areas
• Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste (this includes horse waste)
• Stay on established trails
• Keep family and pets away from bodies of water – ponds and creeks are sensitive ecological areas that provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife
• Please be kind and act responsibly
• Do not:
  • Bait wildlife (i.e. for the purpose of hunting or taking photos)
  • Camp overnight
  • Cut or remove trees, plants, fungi or wildlife
  • Drive unauthorized motorized vehicles like ATVs and dirt bikes
  • Light fires
  • Litter
  • Smoke or vape

For on-leash tract rules, off-leash tract rules and enclosed dog off-leash area rules visit york.ca/DogsInTheForest

Precautions

Exercise caution on the trails as they are not maintained.

Extreme heat can be a serious health threat. Learn about extreme heat and how to keep yourself and your family cool on hot and humid days.

Mosquitoes and blacklegged ticks may be found in the York Regional Forest. West Nile virus is an illness spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Lyme disease is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. For more information, including the safe removal of ticks, visit york.ca/LymeDisease

Parking is limited.

Poison Ivy is a native plant commonly found in the York Regional Forest and provides food and shelter to small animals and birds. In humans, poison ivy is known to cause skin rashes, severe itching and irritation to people who come into contact with it. In severe cases, swelling, blistering and discharge may occur. Symptoms develop within 24 to 48 hours of exposure. Identifying poison ivy features include:

• Three almond-shaped leaflets
• Leaflets have pointed tips, with the middle leaf being the longest
• Leaflets are green in colour, turning darker as they mature and red in the autumn
• Berries tend to be white or cream-coloured

Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Learn about extreme cold and how to keep yourself and your family safe.

Wearing insect repellent, closed-toed footwear, light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucked into your socks is strongly recommended.

Invasive plant herbicide treatment in the York Regional Forest begins every May and is expected to finish in the fall each year. Targeted invasive species include Dog-strangling Vine, Lily-of-the-valley, Periwinkle, European Buckthorn, Manitoba Maple and Phragmites.  

Signs will be posted at tract entrances closest to where the work is taking place, as well as the actual site where herbicides are being used. Signs are posted a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Signs will remain in place for at least 72 hours after work has occurred.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why are invasive species a problem? 
These invasive species are non-native and can threaten the health, function and diversity of our natural environment. If left unmanaged, many of these invasive species will crowd out native plants and young trees preventing them from growing.  

What herbicides are being used? 
While the type of herbicide used depends on the invasive species being treated, some examples include RoundUp, Garlon and Simazine. All herbicides used in the York Regional Forest are approved products for use in Canada and Ontario, and York Region follows best practices and regulations identified under Ontario’s Pesticides Act.  

Will these herbicides affect native plant, insects and/or wildlife? 
When applied properly, non-target plants and insects will not be affected. York Region uses the most appropriate product for the task, which may mean using a highly-selective herbicide which will only target a certain group of plants. Spraying directly on the targeted group of plants ensures the non-native invasive plants are treated.  

Herbicides are applied by applicators licensed under Ontario’s Pesticides Act, 1990. Licensed applicators must follow all label directions and the use of herbicides does not take place if ideal weather and site conditions are not met.  

What is the difference between a pesticide, herbicide and insecticide? 
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill things like fungus, bacteria, insects, plant diseases, snails, slugs and weeds. Herbicides are a type of pesticide used to control unwanted plants and trees. Insecticides are a type of pesticide used specifically to target and kill insects.  

How will the public be notified? 
As per the Pesticides Act, signs will be posted at main tract entrances closest to where the work is taking place, as well as close to the actual site where herbicides are being used, a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Signs will remain in place for at least 72 hours after work has occurred.  

Is it safe to visit the Forest while the invasive plants are being treated with herbicide? 
Most areas being treated are off trail. Forest visitors will see posted signs that detail the date(s) of treatment and the products being used and can decide whether to stay in that area or visit another part of the Forest. Contractors have been instructed to stop work should any visitor come close to the operation. Sites are safe to access once signs have been removed. 

Is it safe for my dog to be off-leash at Davis Drive or Bendor and Graves Tract while invasive plants are being treated with herbicide? 
Signs will be posted at tract entrances closest to where the work is taking place, as well as close to the actual site where herbicides are being used, a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Signs will remain in place for at least 72 hours after work has occurred. Temporary fencing will be installed around most areas to help prevent dogs entering the sprayed area. If you go to this area, we ask that you leash your dog and stay on the designated trail as you pass by work areas. Staff will be on site during the spray operation to answer any questions from visitors.  

Is there anywhere else I can take my dog off-leash?  
Dogs are permitted off-leash at the following designated off-leash areas: 

• Bendor and Graves Tract (entrances at 17858 McCowan Road and 17689 Kennedy Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury) 
• Davis Drive Tract (entrances at 4277 Davis Drive and at 17242 McCowan Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville) 

There is also an enclosed dog off-leash area at the Bendor and Graves Tract at 17858 McCowan Road in the Town of East Gwillimbury. 
For more information including on-leash tract, off-leash tract and enclosed dog off-leash area rules visit york.ca/DogsInTheForest 

Additional designated dog off-leash areas may be open in your community or in a nearby city or town. We encourage you to check your city or town website or contact their parks department for more information. 

In accordance with federal and provincial legislation and local municipal discharge of firearms bylaws, hunting is permitted in three specific areas within York Regional Forest Tracts located in Georgina.

• Pefferlaw Tract
• Cronsberry Tract
• Metro Road Tract (bows only)

Hunting is prohibited in all other York Regional Forest Tracts.

York Region does not permit the use of hunting stands or baiting of wildlife.

Contact the Town of Georgina’s bylaw department at 905-476-4301 to confirm areas where the use of firearms (including bows) is permitted.

Visit the Ministry of Natural Resources for more information about hunting in Ontario.

York Region offers a number of outdoor education programs including Tree Bee, Envirothon and Nature’s Classroom. These programs are designed for clubs, community groups and schools to connect people with nature and inspire action.

The Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre used for many of these programs has several innovative features including solar panels, LED light fixtures, heat pumps, radiant heating and triple-glazed windows, and is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certified.

For more information about outdoor education and the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre visit york.ca/OutdoorEducation

Are there any paved trails in the Forest?

None of the trails in the York Regional Forest - including accessible ones - are paved. Accessible trails are created using compacted, crushed limestone to ensure ease-of-movement for wheelchairs, strollers and other assistive devices.  

Are the trails in the Forest maintained? 

The Forest trials are maintained and repaired as needed. They are not groomed or cleared of snow/ice in the winter months. 

Are there washrooms in the Forest? 

There are currently no washrooms available for public use in the Forest.  

Washrooms at the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre at Hollidge Tract are open only during certain events.  

Are bikes and horses allowed on accessible trails?

Yes, bikes and horses are allowed on all trails in the Forest. Visitors are reminded of the following: 

• Walk, run or wheel on the right of the trail and pass on the left 
• Cyclists should yield to pedestrians and ring their bell in advance of passing 

Is there a phone number I can call or a website to report an incident in the York Regional Forest? 

While York Region Forestry staff monitor the tracts on a regular basis, they cover a large area so it’s possible that someone visiting the Forest may not see a staff member during their time at the Forest. If that’s the case, visitors are advised to contact the Region by calling 1-877-464-9675 if they see a recurring incident.