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Phyllis Rawlinson Park: trails, heritage and dog area
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Phyllis Rawlinson Park is on Leslie Street north of 19th Avenue in Richmond Hill.
Key information
Phyllis Rawlinson Park is on Leslie Street north of 19th Avenue in Richmond Hill. It combines a conservation setting with heritage buildings, a community garden and an off-leash dog area. Fire pits are for city-registered programs only.
On this page
Plan your next step
| Task or feature | What to know |
|---|---|
| Dog visit | Use the designated off-leash area |
| Heritage activity | Arrange program or building access |
| Fire pit | City-registered programs only |
Your visit at a glance
- Choose outdoor or heritage use
Use park trails or arrange a heritage program.
- Check group access
Confirm access before planning building use.
- Follow park boundaries
Keep dog activity inside the designated off-leash area.
Outdoor visit and group use
The city describes this as Richmond Hill’s largest Oak Ridges Moraine park. The land was left to the city by Phyllis Rawlinson on the condition that it be managed for conservation. Trail users should respect the restoration areas and the conservation purpose.
The listed features include a community garden, Celebration Forest, an off-leash dog area, Robert Holland Interpretive Centre and George Forster House. Fire pits are not public first-come picnic equipment; they are restricted to city-registered programs.
Heritage buildings and programs
The Robert Holland Interpretive Centre was formerly the Shaw House. It hosts environmental activities, outdoor recreation bookings and adventure programs, with displays about the house and Rawlinson family.
George Forster House supports outdoor recreation and community meetings. Built around 1830, it displays heritage artifacts. A listed program building is not a promise of walk-in museum opening hours; arrange a booking or confirm the current program.
Restoration and change on the land
The city and TRCA are removing invasive species, treating affected areas, planting and monitoring. Work may temporarily change the look of the park. The aim is a more diverse ecosystem while keeping recreational trail use.
The property was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1996. The house and barn were restored in 2010, with related access, drainage, lighting and service improvements. Those project dates are historical context, not a current construction schedule.
Places covered by this guide
Phyllis Rawlinson Park
11715 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Phyllis Rawlinson Park is recorded as destination park in Richmond Hill. The public facilities directory records its location as 11715 Leslie Street.
The city records community allotment garden, off leash dog area at this site. These are mapped assets; seasonal opening and usable condition are not confirmed by this inventory.
- Recorded type
- Destination Park
- Land use
- Park
- Recorded amenities
- Community Allotment Garden, Off Leash Dog Area
- Mapped land area
- 36.61 hectares (sum of inventory parcels)
The street location comes from the public facilities directory.
Sources: Richmond Hill official park land inventory · Richmond Hill official recreation amenities · Phyllis Rawlinson Park official directory entry
Map points and address queries identify the recorded place. They do not certify a visitor entrance, accessible route or current operating status.
Useful questions and answers
Where is the park?
On Leslie Street just north of 19th Avenue in Richmond Hill.
Can anyone use the fire pits?
No. The city reserves park fire pits for its registered programs.
Does the park include an off-leash area?
Yes. The city lists a designated dog area. Its specific dog-entry rules apply separately from the rest of the park.
What is Celebration Forest?
It is one of the named park features listed by the city, alongside the community garden and heritage buildings.
What was the interpretive centre called before?
The Robert Holland Interpretive Centre was formerly known as Shaw House.
What happens at the interpretive centre?
Environmental activities, outdoor recreation bookings, adventure programs and heritage displays are listed.
Can a community group use George Forster House?
The city describes it as a meeting place for community groups and an outdoor-program venue. Arrange the booking before visiting as a group.
Why are plants being removed?
The city says invasive species have overtaken parts of the area. Removal, treatment, replanting and monitoring support ecological restoration.
When was the property designated for heritage?
The property was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1996.
Why must conservation remain part of park use?
Phyllis Rawlinson left the property to the city on the condition that it be managed for conservation.
Official information and next steps
Facts checked on October 14, 2026. Seasonal conditions and available appointments can change.