The City of Nelson maintains a variety of parks that provide residents and visitors with opportunities for great scenery, fun and exercise. For locations see our maps page. For the latest information on playing field status, go to Notify Me and sign up to receive any notification of change to the field status.

Rotary Lakeside Park

Often simply referred to as Lakeside Park, this beautiful recreational area is the pride of Nelson’s waterfront and a popular location for swimming, playing, or just relaxing.

Located at the foot of Nelson’s landmark orange bridge, the park features a long, sandy beach and change rooms, wide promenade, green spaces with shade trees, an adventure playground, bocce and tennis courts, a covered picnic and barbecue shelter, a greenhouse, a boat launch, and a permanent labyrinth. It’s also the home of Nelson’s restored Streetcar, which runs along a portion of the waterfront during the summer months. Additionally, a full service concession runs in the summer.

The Rotary barbecue shelter is available for rental, with bookings through the City of Nelson, 250-352-8248. The west end of the park accommodates the main City playing fields, as well as the new ActNow seniors' exercise area. Follow the Centennial Pathway along the water and back to the beach to round out your visit to Lakeside Park.

Dogs

Lakeside park is a dog-free zone, however dogs on leashes are permitted on the perimeter walkways of the playing fields.

Lions Uphill Park

Lions Park is a neighbourhood park located in the Uphill area of Nelson at Kootenay and Richards streets. The playground and spray park are popular features, as well as a baseball diamond and basketball court. In winter, there’s an outdoor skating rink ideal for small ice-enthusiasts.

Spray Park Hours:

11:00am - 7:00pm daily from May long weekend thru Labour Day.

Cottonwood Falls Park

Here, Cottonwood creek crosses under Highways 3A and 6 and tumbles down into a scenic waterfall that’s stunning to visit at any time of the year. The Izushi Friendship Society, the Eco-Society and Earth Matters are the stewards of this beautiful hidden treasure, which includes pathways and gardens.  A community market at the north end of the park offers shopping opportunities and live music on summer Saturdays.

Gyro Park

With a wide variety of native greenery, curving flower gardens, a gazebo, playground, and summertime wading pool for small ones, Gyro Park is an enchanting getaway right in the centre of town. A spectacular viewpoint at the park’s rocky outcrop offers a birds-eye view of Nelson’s heritage downtown and waterfront.

Gyro Park is a popular place for wedding ceremonies and photos. Bookings for the park and gazebo can be made through the City of Nelson, 250-352-8248.

Please note: Gyro Pool is closed for the 2021 season. For details on the closure, click here.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Located in the Fairview area of the city at Fourth and Behnsen Streets, Queen Elizabeth Park features all the amenities of a modern baseball field, as well as a powerful lighting system for night games. Download a map to find your way to the baseball diamond (PDF).

Art Gibbons Memorial Park (Rosemont Park): Nelson’s Skateboard and Bike Park

A great place for a nature walk through the woods without having to leave the city, Art Gibbons Memorial Park is located in the Rosemont area of the city at West Richards Street and Choquette Avenuenuenuenue. In addition to walking trails, the Nelson Skateboard Park a world-class opportunity for skateboarders of all ages, while the Nelson Bike Park is a great placed for mountain bikers and BMXers to take up the challenge. Find your way to the Skate Park (PDF) using this map.

I.O.D.E. Park

 I.O.D.E Park anchors the upper end of Hall St. and was initially developed as a park nearly 30 years ago. Recent upgrades to the park include regraded crushed limestone pathways, enhanced erosion control via terracing and retaining walls (reusing park rocks), new sod to anchor added topsoil, new plantings including an assortment of native trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses. Further enhancements to the public space include solar pathway lighting, seating areas and public art.