Markham, Unionville and Toogood Pond

⏱ 3h · Walk · Streets/Park

Loop around historic Markham Unionville and Toogood Pond park

3h · Walk · Best as a relaxed loop between park and historic street

Unionville stretches into a beautiful sequence: park, heritage street, and railway edge all within minutes - great for a nice morning spring walk. The pace shifts noticeably: quiet and open around the water, then more structured and slightly busier along Main Street. It can feel a bit manicured especially near shops, but the transitions between areas keep it interesting.

The Unionville Library — a heritage-style building with a tower and green roof, blending civic use with historical design language.

A triangular stone monument appears along the path to the Toogood Pond between the trees.

Behind the monument the water narrows into a creek, outflowing from the pond ahead.

Toogood Dam — a controlled drop that maintains pond levels while creating a small waterfall feature.

Wide pond view — open water, early spring trees, and a clear sky define the slower, quieter part of the walk.

"Quarry” sculpture — exploring relations between plant, animal and human life and how these change over time.

A bronze dog crouched low — playful but grounded, part of Mary Anne Barkhouse’s installation.

The sculpture sits close to the pond edge — blending art with the natural setting.

Another open view of the pond.

Past the trails full of spring mud, entering the Unionville Main Street — brick paving, low-rise shops, and well maintained historic streetscape.

The Doctor’s House (1872) — one of the oldest surviving buildings, now repurposed.

Continuous row of preserved storefronts — consistent scale and materials.

White façade with retail frontage — modern use within historic shells.

Queen’s Hotel (1871) — Second Empire style with mansard roof, a rare architectural detail in small Ontario towns.

Victorian house at a corner, notice the roofline ornaments.

Stone wall and gazebo — transition into a quieter park-like space.

Unionville Train Station (1870) — one of the oldest stations still in its original trackside location in Canada.

Another well maintained Victorian house — consistent architectural language across the district.

Railway edge — wooden boardwalk and fence running parallel to the tracks.

Platform hinting how the station once functioned in daily travel.

Stiver Mill (c.1900) — originally a grain elevator, tied directly to the railway economy.

Tracks leading past the station and mill — linear, open, and more industrial in tone.

Unionville Pump House — bell once used to signal fires to the community.

The Planing Mill — part of the town’s milling and woodworking history.

Side view of the waterwheel — scale becomes more apparent.

Narrow passage between buildings — small details tucked within the main street.

Final view back toward the Firehall and surrounding buildings.

Brick church with steeple — vertical landmark closing the loop.

Good to Know

  • Start / end: Toogood Pond Park → Main Street Unionville → Train Station loop
  • Parking: Available near Toogood Pond, but can get busy. You can also park behind historic buildings, for free.
  • Transit notes: Easy by car; GO Transit (Unionville Station) within walking distance
  • Coffee / washrooms: Plenty of cafes and restaurants along Main Street; public washrooms near library park (seasonal)
  • Timing gotchas: Weekends get busy; early morning keeps both pond and street quieter

Spatial overview

Clustered loop between park, street, and railway edge:

Open larger map →

Unionville connects everything within a short distance — water, street, and railway history layered into one walk. It’s easy to cover in couple hours, with stops for coffee and scenic views in the park.

Join our newsletter

Stay updated on new areas, experiences, and travel inspiration.

Thanks! Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
Something went wrong. Please refresh and try again.