Parks, Beaches & Trails – Township of Madawaska Valley

Parks & Beaches

The Madawaska Valley is full of fantastic opportunities to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Many of our beaches offer changing and washroom facilities.

For a close-up look at our beach and park areas, please select one from the list below:

Canada’s Kashubian Heritage Park & Museum

Visit the Kashubian Heritage Park and Museum in Wilno, in recognition of Canada’s First Kashubian Polish settlement.

When the first Kashubs immigrated to Canada, they brought with them their own unique language and customs which they passed on for many generations. There are still many local Kashubs who speak their native Kashubian language.

You will find many interesting artifacts in the many pioneer buildings from Kashubian furniture, clothing such as Kashubian costumes, embroidery. In the machine sheds you can find the tools and farm equipment the Kashubs used to break ground and work the soil.

There is also a large Resource Library and a wide selection of reference books, CDs, and souvenirs for sale in the Visitor Centre.

Open daily in July & August from 11a.m.—5 p.m. and on weekends in June and from September to Thanksgiving.

Website: www.wilno.org

Amenities: Washrooms, Picnic Area, Gazebo
Crooked Slide Park

Crooked Slide Park is located 3 km from Combermere, Ontario on Old Barry’s Bay Road. It’s uniqueness is attributed to the reconstruction of an original log chute on Byers Creek which was used by loggers in the early 1900s. The logs were floated from the Hopefield, Brudenell, Rockingham, Wilno and Barry’s Bay area down the Madawaska River.

Byers Creek has multiple bends and turns which caused issues for loggers as many logs would get jammed in the narrow bends. In order to prevent jams, this chute was built and water was diverted through the chute by closing a control dam. The logs would float approximately 2200 feet in the chute and then fall 10 feet back into the creek. From there, the logs would carry onto Combermere where they emptied into the Madawaska River. The Murray Bros. Lumber Company of Barry’s Bay donated the six-and-a-half acres of land that were used to build the chute and park area. The chute has been reconstructed twice, first in 1973 and again in 1994 after years of deterioration. Today the park attracts people from all over the world to see one of the hidden gems of the Madawaska Valley.

Please note that this is a natural park, and the walkway runs alongside moving water.

Amenities: Public Washrooms
Lakeshore Park / Omanique Beach

Lakeshore Park and Omanique Beach/Trail are located in the shores of Kamaniskeg Lake in Barry’s Bay. The park stretches along the shore and reaches a grassy area where picnics are welcome under the shade or sun. The park has a variety of recreational activities for all ages.

With playground equipment and a public beach, this is a lovely place to come cool off with the family on a hot summer day in Barry’s Bay. The Renfrew County District Health Unit monitors water quality on a weekly basis at this location.

In 2023, the Township released a Concept Plan to guide redevelopment of the park over the coming years. To view the plan, click the following link: Lakeshore Park Concept Plan – Final Report.

Amenities: Public Washrooms, Play Structure Equipment, Universal Exercise Equipment, Beach Volleyball Courts, Beach, Tennis Courts, Wharf/Boat Launch
Mayflower Park (Combermere Wharf)

Located in the heart of Combermere, this small park hosts a public boat launch, washroom facility, and a newly-built gazebo.

Amenities: Beach, Privy, Gazebo
Mayflower Public Beach & Playground

Located on the Madawaska River, this park is home to washroom facilities, change rooms, a playground modeled after the historic Mayflower, and a public beach with raft.

Amenities: Beach, Playground, Privy, Change Rooms
Water Tower Park

Located just south of the Barry’s Bay Railway Station, this park is home to one of Ontario’s last remaining freestanding wooden railway towers.
Reeve's Park

Reeve’s Park is located on the south western shore of Paugh Lake, 13 km north of Barry’s Bay, Ontario

Amenities: Beach
Wadsworth Lake Public Beach

Located in the heart of Kashub country just off Old Barry’s Bay Road, this sandy beach on Wadsworth Lake is home to public washroom facilities and a public raft.

Amenities: Beach, Privy
Zurakowski Park

Zurakowski Park is located in downtown Barry’s Bay, in the heart of the Township of Madawaska Valley. The Park was built to honour long-time local resident and world renowned test pilot Janusz Zurakowski (1914-2004).

Janusz Zurakowski was one of the world’s most famous pilots. Raised in Poland, he joined the Polish Air Force in 1934 and escaped to England at the start of the Second World War. After a noteable wartime career with the Royal Air Force, he test flew aircraft in England before immigrating to Canada in 1952, where he continued his flight career. The most notable aircraft tested by Janusz Zurakowksi was the Canadian supersonic interceptor known as the CF-105 Avro Arrow.

After retiring from active test flying, Zurakowski moved to Barry’s Bay with his family where they owned and operated a local lodge.

Learn more about Janusz and the park at www.zurakowskipark.ca.

Amenities: Gazebo
Dennison Park

Located in the heart of Combermere, Dennison Park features historical plaques and displays about Combermere’s early years.

Trails

Take a stroll, ride your ATV, climb the mountains on your bike or strap on your hiking boots and traverse some of the most beautiful areas of the Ottawa Valley.

Parking: As indicated on the map, parking can be found at various locations, including roadside entrances.

USE TRAILS AT YOUR OWN RISK

The use of these trails assumes a level of risk and liability on behalf of the user.

Use caution at all times
Emergency and cell phone service may not be available
Please DO NOT LITTER on trails
BE PREPARED to share the trail with other motorized vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic
Weather and trail conditions can change without warning

THOMAS P. MURRAY RECREATIONAL TRAILS

This system winds its way through the Radcliffe hills, enjoying several scenic vistas, ponds, swamps and rock outcroppings. Trails have varied skill levels, so be aware of the changing conditions.

Thomas P. Murray Recreation Trails Map
J.R. BOOTH HERITAGE RAILWAY TRAIL (Wilno to Whitney)

The former CN rail line that was used to build the economy of this region was transformed into one of the most scenic trails in the County. Running from Wilno’s Polish Kashub Heritage Park, it travels public land right into Whitney. Take note of the landmarks throughout your journey, including the newly rebuilt bridge in Madawaska and the remnants of the glorious rail days of early in the last century. Motorized vehicles may be asked to provide a permit. A series of trails links off of this line just outside of Barry’s Bay to the west. Please refer to the Renfrew County ATV Club Facebook page for more information.
OPEONGO HERITAGE TRAIL

Walk in the footsteps of the area’s forefathers, as you travel one of the Ottawa Valley’s oldest settlement roads. Opened late 2009, the trail offers a glimpse of the conditions that the settlers to the Madawaska Valley had to endure as they looked for their new lands. The trail can be accessed just outside of Barry’s Bay on the Old Barry’s Bay Road or off of Opeongo Road (between Wilno and Barry’s Bay). Look for signs.
OMANIQUE BEACH WATERFRONT TRAIL

Barry’s Bay’s newest recreational facility, providing approximately 3km of paved pathways for all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of our lakefront. Users will pass by Lions Timberfest Park, where children can spend hours in the playground, or adults can enjoy a game of tennis. Enjoy the sunsets from the many benches and tables situated along the trail.