Mississauga Ontario Page 03: Erindale Park

Mississauga Ontario Erindale Park Credit River

The Credit River is under the jurisdiction of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVCA), fishing is regulated by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR guidelines), and picnic and event bookings are handled by the City of Mississauga Parks department.

Despite all these overseers, Erindale Park has retained its wilderness feel, especially once you start north on the Culham Trail.

This picture shows the Credit River just north of the remnants of the concrete dam in the south end of the park. The top left corner of the picture is the lands at the south end of the UTM south parking lot.

Commemorative Plaque Erindale Park Mississauga

As you leave the parking area and head toward the Credit River near the foot bridge, you will see this large stone set with a plaque dated June 15, 1986, the date Erindale Park offically opened.

The list of City of Mississauga council names on the plaque includes Ward 6 councillor, David J. Culham, for whom the Culham Trail is named.

Culham worked tirelessly with local and provincial associations to preserve and make accessible this wonderful natural forest trail along the Credit River.

Credit River Erindale Park Concrete Dam Mississauga

These concrete pillars are all that remain of a hydro  electric dam built in 1902 following a severe flood.

These concrete pillars are NOT part of a foot bridge, though in several spots near here, at times of very low water flow, one could wade across the Credt River.

Better to keep safe and dry by using the proper footbridge just out of sight in this picture.

When the dam was demolished in 1954, the river was re-routed to hug the north west banks.

Salmon Fishing Information Sign at Erindale Park Mississauga Ontario

At Erindale Park north to Burnhamthorpe Road, the Credit River cold water fish include Rainbow trout, Brown trout and three species of salmon -- Chinook, Coho, Atlantic -- and warm water smallmouth bass.

In Ontario, you DO need a fishing licence (see MNR link top of page), and you do need to know when and where fishing is allowed along the Credit River, and what type of fish is in season.

There is a program to re-establish Atlantic salmon in this area of the Credit River, and the guidelines are shown with pictures on this large notice board close to the concrete dam.

Foot Bridge Over Credit River, Erindale Park, Mississauga 

This foot bridge allows safe crossing between the east and west banks of the Credit River.

The parking lot (400 vehicles, free) is located to the right in this picture, and to the left, you'll find a covered picnic shelter, a large open picnic area and the trail to UTM.

I took these photos on a weekday afternoon in mid Autumn, when fishing season was closed.

When fishing season is open, the Credit River and both banks are thick with anglers from Erindale Park north to Burnhamthorpe Road West, where the Culham Trail passes through Riverwood Park (see this post on my blog for Riverwood info and pics).

Culham Trail Walkers at Erindale Park

Summer time, Erindale Park is full of appreciative city dwellers who pack a picnic lunch or fishing gear and make a day of it,  pleased to find themselves living so close to a forest park and trails so easily accessed by public transit.

Erindale Park is also the venue for the fundraiser Super Walk for Parkinson's.

The charity walk follows the Culham Trail from its start (shown here in the picture) north to Burhamthorpe Road and back, about 7 km (about 4.5 miles).

Mississauga students, teachers, use Erindale Park as Classroom

From time to time when school is in session, visitors to Erindale Park will spot groups of students in this al fresco classroom.

A few years ago, this area and many other Mississauga parks were overrun with Canada geese that had opted out of migration.

If you are walking in the park, or along the river and trails, keep watch for the deer that frequent the river banks.

I've seen blue herons standing in the shallows near the Burnhamthorpe Bridge, as well as north on the Culham Trail north of Britannia Road West.

Dam at Erindale Park in Winter (djc photo)

From David Culham:

'"This is the ice dam built in about 1988. This is slightly up river from the old dam.

"This picture shows only the north west shore abutment. The rest is on the south side.

"The dam was blown up in 1945 or 1946 when they thought there was a body from a murder and they could not find it.

"Even empty, they did not find it but someone had the excuse to blow it up and get rid of the lake behind it."

More Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Pictures and Information:

Mississauga Page one, Mississauga Page 02 Clarkson, Ontario, Streetsville, Canada Maple Syrup, Mississauga Chinese Centre, Mississauga restaurants, Credit River salmon fishing Erindale Park.

Google Map Erindale Park to Riverwood at Burnhamthorpe Road
On the google map, you can see the thin blue line that represents the Credit River; the Culham Trail follows the east side of the river. Note, too, the location of UTM, and that you can choose driving, walking or transit info in the left google map menu. Have a great walk, fish or picnic!!