Outdoor Recreation & Spaces

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The Community Services Department, in conjunction with partnering departments and outside organizations, is pleased to offered many outdoor Recreation programs For information about any of these programs, please contact the Community Services Office Administrator at 807-223-1425 ext. 5 or at arenadesk@dryden.ca.

2025 Summer Outdoors Program

Modeled after the Summer Playground Program and Camp Prospect activities that were previously offered in Dryden, the Summer Outdoors Program will be offered for eight (8) weeks this summer. The program is designed to provide children ages 6-11 with outdoor play opportunities such as active games, crafts, learning experiences and more!

This year's edition of the program will have a home base of Rotary Park in North Dryden, with activities planned for both the open spaces and trails around the area. Space will be available for 24 children. Program leaders will ensure the safety and well being of all children during the program, maintaining a leader to participant ratio of 8:1.

The cost of this program is $225.00 per child, per week, with the exception of August 5-8 which will cost $180 per child as it is a short week. You may register your child(ren) for one week or both weeks. To register, please click here. Each week will have a different theme:

Week 1: Summer Blast! (July 7-11)

Week 2: Superhero (July 14-18)

Week 3: Space Camp (July 21-25)

Week 4: Wild West (July 28 - August 1)

Week 5: Under the Sea (August 5-8)

Week 6: Sports Week (August 11-15)

Week 7: Animal Kingdom (August 18-22)

Week 8: Mystery Week (August 25-29)

Each theme week will be supplemented by classic games and crafts. As an added treat, we will be partnering with local agencies and organizations to provide children with positive and exciting outdoor learning opportunities, such as shelter building, fire building, bannock making and more! There will be one Program Leader for every 8 children (an 8:1 ratio) with additional volunteers to help facilitate.

The program runs 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Parents can drop their child off no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and pick them up no later than 4:30 p.m. Please note that a $20 charge will be applied to your account if your child is dropped off any earlier or later than the times mentioned above.

Children should bring a backpack each day with the following: lunch, water, swim suit, towel, change of clothes, hat, sunscreen and bug spray, as well as good running shoes. All children will be provided with a Summer Outdoors Program T-Shirt on their first day! You will be asked to indicate the child's shirt size during registration. Note: if your child is registered for more than one week, they will only receive one shirt.

Please ensure that all medical conditions, allergies and accommodations are mentioned during the registration process as staff need to be aware. Staff will not be responsible for administering any medication - children must be able to do this themselves.

Please make sure you have created an account with us PRIOR to registering by phoning 807-223-1425 ext.5 or 807-223-1470. If you try to create an account yourself, you will not be able to register into City of Dryden programs.

Looking to volunteer? Click here for more information or to fill out an application.

Registration is now open online! For more information, please contact Joel Allen, Supervisor of Community Recreation Programs, at jallen@dryden.ca.

Parks

The City of Dryden has eight (8) parks and open spaces located throughout the city. All parks are operated by the Public Works Department.

Cooper Park

You can walk to Cooper Park from downtown Dryden. It's a very popular waterfront spot for picnicking and birdwatching, and the Cooper Park pathway forms part of the Dryden Signature Trail. Along the Wabigoon River, you can walk, jog and bike on a brick pathway and many people use the path to walk their dogs.

View a map of Cooper Park.

Eagle Park

Eagle Park is a small, forested park that is perfect for quiet reflection or relaxation nestled on a hill top in a residential area.
View a map of Eagle Park.

Johnston's Park

Johnston's Park is a great place to stop for a rest, eat lunch, view the park's Mosaic structure, or explore the path to the suspension bridge. You can also enjoy the sun under the many trees that are in the park. Picnic areas, washrooms and walking trails are available as well.
View a map of Johnston's Park.

Kinsmen Park

Kinsmen Park is full of mature trees, playgrounds and is located close to downtown. Here you can find water fountains, play structures, picnic tables, private play areas and washroom facilities. It's a great park to bring the kids along.
View a map of Kinsmen Park.

Lions Park

Lions Park was developed by the Lions Club of Dryden and backs onto the Dryden High School.
View a map of Lions Park.

Milestone Park

Come play a game of tennis or pickleball at Milestone Park during the summer, or skate or play hockey at our outdoor skating rink or skating oval from mid-December to March. Contact the Community Services department at 807-223-1425 ext. 5 for more information.
View a map of Milestone Park.

Plumridge Park

Plumridge Park is a hidden gem used a lot by locals as an outdoor public green space where you can enjoy the hot summer days with a splash pad and play structure.
View a map of Plumridge Park.

Pronger Park

Pronger Park is a lovely, private location where you can spend the day in the shade of the many trees in the area. It's perfect for a family gathering, or you can use the playground, biking, hiking, ski and snowshoe trails. The park is also pet-friendly, with lots of room to play with your dog. Washrooms and waste bins are also available. View a map of Pronger Park.

Beaches

Sandy Beach Recreational Area

Spend a few hours enjoying the sun and sand at Sandy Beach Recreational Area. The area offers pavilion picnic tables, barbecue pits, playground equipment, and washrooms. The park is also available for birthday parties and other event bookings. Call 807-223-2367 for more information.
View a map of Sandy Beach Recreational Area

Johnson's Public Beach

You can find this beach located on Thunder Lake just outside Dryden city limits. Be sure to bring a towel and sunscreen for the nice weather!
View a map of Johnson's Public Beach

Ghost Lake Public Beach

Located just outside Dryden city limits on Ghost Lake, this beach includes a shallow, sandy beach area, a boat launch and plenty of shade for picnics. There are also many areas to canoe, kayak or paddle boat.
View a map of Ghost Lake Public Beach

Baseball

The Sandy Beach Ball Diamonds and the Pavilion located on the grounds can be booked for private rentals from June to September by calling the Community Services Office Administrator at 807-223-1425 ext. 5, or by emailing arenadesk@dryden.ca.

Soccer

Soccer fields located at Rotary Park, along with the building, can be booked for private rentals from June to September by calling the Community Services Office Administrator at 807-223-1425 ext. 5, or by emailing arenadesk@dryden.ca.

Hiking

There are many trails for you to hike or bike your way through within the City of Dryden, and within the greater region.

Here is a listing of trails found in and around Dryden:

City of Dryden Trails

View our network of trails available for you to enjoy below. As well, year-round indoor walking is available from Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dryden Memorial Arena.

Urban Trail

The Urban Trail system (shown on the Dryden Trail Systems map) is made up of five routes that run through the city. They provide safe, enjoyable walkable access to stores, neighbourhoods, and community facilities and services. The trail system is 12.3 km in length.

Signature Trail

The Dryden Signature Trail system (shown on the Dryden Trail Systems map) is made up of two routes. They are designed to give you a hands-on recreational experience with interpretive signage located throughout. The trail system is 5.4 km in length.

Nature in the City Trail

The Nature in the City Trail (shown on the Dryden Trail Systems map) is shaped like a necklace and link the natural areas around the city. You can walk, hike, jog, cycle or ski sections of the trail, which is 6.8 km long in total.

Laura Howe Marsh

Spanning two kilometres, the Laura Howe Marsh wetlands trail features both forest and aquatic wildlife for you to see. Make sure to bring sturdy shoes with you and dress for the weather. From May to early August, it's a good idea to bring insect repellant. Also, bring along your camera and capture all that the area has to offer! For more information, view our Laura Howe Marsh map.

Aaron Provincial Park Trails

Aaron Provincial Park features two trails in the area.

The first, Aspen Trail, is 1.9 km in length. Here, you can see different types of Boreal forest trees, like aspen, birch, jack pine, balsam fir and spruce. Some wildlife you might see include white-tail deer, 26 species of warblers and many other songbirds.

The Eastern White Cedar Trail is 0.5 km in length. On the route, you can walk through large stands of trees, shores and wetlands along Thunder Lake and climb up to a clay plain. You can also see many types of animals, trees and flowers on your route.

Aaron Provincial Park is open from May Long Weekend to mid-September. For more information, contact the Community Services Office at 807-223-1425 ext. 5.

Ghost Lake/Mavis Lake Trails

These trails are great for skilled bicyclists and hikers. The route is made up of bush roads and forest trails. The network of trails are 22 km in length altogether and include rocky paths, wetlands, swamps and forestry. Ghost Lake is also a habitat for up to 200 Common Loons. The trails make for another great opportunity to bird watch and see wildlife in a variety of habitats.

For more information, call the Dryden Ghost Riders Mountain Bike Club at 807-223-4903, view the Ghost Riders Facebook page, or view the Ghost & Mavis Lake Trails Brochure.

Rock Around the Park

Rock while you walk/jog/bike through the trails of Pronger Park with an eight (8) station music trivia challenge! Rock Around the Park is a recreational activity that promotes outdoor exercise while challenging your music knowledge. Submit your answers at the end of the activity for a chance to win a prize! Signs with a QR Code and instructions are posted throughout the trail.

Instructions

1. Enter the trail at the bottom of the hill in Pronger Park (near small wooden bridge).

2. If you wish, grab a scorecard/pencil from the container at the beginning of the trail.

3. Scan the QR Code on the station sign with your phone's camera and click the link.

4. Click the play button and listen to the song.

5. Write down the song title on the scorecard OR in your phone.

6. Move on down the trail to the next station sign (arrows will guide you).

7. Repeat steps 3-6 down the trail.

8. Once station 8 has been completed, scan the second “Submission Form” QR Code and enter your answers.

9. Submit your answers for a chance to win a prize!

Materials

Scorecard (print and bring, or grab from container at the beginning of the trail)

Submission Form (submit online or click here to print a form and drop off at the Arena Office)

Pencil (bring or grab from container at the beginning of the trail)

Phone (will need access to your phones camera and internet if submitting answers online)

Tennis

A tennis court is located on the Milestone Rink asphalt pad and can be used during the spring, summer and fall months - weather depending. There is no need to book the tennis court - it is first come, first serve. More information on the tennis court can be found by calling the Community Services Office Administrator at 807-223-1425 ext. 5, or by emailing arenadesk@dryden.ca.

Pickleball

Four (4) pickleball courts are located on the Milestone Rink asphalt pad and can be used during the spring, summer and fall months - weather depending. There is no need to book the pickleball courts - it is first come, first serve. An additional net and extra paddles can be signed out at the Pool & Fitness Centre front desk during regular operating hours. More information on the tennis court can be found by calling the Community Services Office Administrator at 807-223-1425 ext. 5, or by emailing arenadesk@dryden.ca.

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