Reviews of Hillcrest Park (Zoo)

Barry George

Provides some of best views of the harbour port and downtown area of Thunder Bay. Very busy all year round with smaller aged group modern play structures for kids. Sunken gardens provide a gorgeous place to sit among the varied and colourful city plantings. Great place to spend an hour or the day relaxing or playing catch on the fields.

Jennifer Loves Make-up, Nails, Hair & Lashes

Very beautiful spot out looking the Great Superior Lake.

Nithul Nath

You can see the whole city from up there...awsome view...,????

anh khoa phan

The best scence park for the panoramic view of Thunder Bay. Plenty of toys for kids, even in winter. Many parking lots. There is a signal light for pedestrians to cross the street.

John Lavallee

One of the best views of the Sleeping Giant in the city. There's a large field for playing in and a small playground for the kids. Directly adjacent is a sunken flower garden. There is also a porta-potty available beside the playground. Great view of the city in general.

Bryan Dorval (MaddRiker)

Beautiful view. Great little park for the kids.

Shankey Sindhu

It's the far best place in city. Wonderful view from the top. Recommend to visit in nice and sunny weather.

Jon Meyer

Great birds eye view of the water front, a really great lookout spot I go to whenever I visit Thunder Bay. The sunken garden was also great

Mark White

Great place to park the car and enjoy the view of the Sleeping Giant. There is always a lot of activities going on at Hillcrest. I’ve seen yoga classes, bocce ball, frisbee and kids playing on the park playground. I also remember seeing battle reenactments with foam weapons and costumes. See, something for everyone. Not a good place to lose consciousness while driving though. Thankfully nobody was hurt.

Grant Merkley

I quite enjoy relaxing for a picnic at Hillcrest. The view is truly breathtaking, having near full view of the entire city and the beautiful mountains that surround us. An excellent place for relaxation and for children to play.

Hetty Blundell

Its such a beautiful view, and the flower garden is gorgeous when in season. One downside is the rather extensive amount of litter, its so sad to see. I wish people could just walk the few feet to the garbage, theres at least four I've noticed at each or near the frequented spots, recycling bins too.

Pithani Mohan Rao

One of the high grounds within the city limits offering a great views of sleeping giant. Sunrise is splendid over this location.

Rick fortier

I have been born and raised here in thunder Bay Ontario and it’s been quite a while. The nicest place that is in thunder Bay is this beautiful site on Hillcrest Park that gives you a full size of the sleeping giant on Lake superior. Not only does it have that but also has a beautiful park and many places to park!!

sanjana sarna

Beautiful place to sit and enjoy the sun and to add to it you can see all of Thunder Bay from the hill top

Matthew Hartnett

It's my favorite park in town! I love how it is set up, with a variety of things all the way along the park. It's long and narrow. It's great for kids you start at the playground, move on to the cannons and tank. Take a walk and play on the hill, move to the flag. Walk some more and discover the bell, then cap it off with the big long slide. It's like an adventure. They love it. It's always well maintained. It's busy but never crowded and there's lots of parking. Also the best spot in town to watch the fireworks.

Alejandra G

Beautiful park with beautiful views on a clear day! Perfect view of Sleeping Giant

David Hong

Great view of the sleeping giant. There’s even one picnic table to sit and enjoy lunch with a great view. Parking is free If available.

Andrew

One of the best spots in Thunder Bay to see the waterfront and the Sleeping Giant. Also a great place to play some spikeball or go for a walk!

Selina Mullin

Perfect place to stop and let everyone stretch their legs. The playground equipment has a fun obstacle course for bigger kids and some other items for littler ones. Don’t forget to take a walk around the sunken garden which is spectacularly colourful.

Jeffrey Mehagan

One of the best free views of the Lake and the Harbour in the city.

Tracey MacKinnon

Beautiful location in the heart ❤ of downtown Port Arthur. We stopped by to Sing & drum some traditional songs ???? to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of National Indigenous People’s Day

Patrick Fraser

Amazing view point of Thunder Bay, plenty if people taking in the view on there lunch breaks.

Subin S

Calm and Quiet park near to the John and Banning bus stop. The view from Hillcrest park is marvellous and awesome. Most part of the city can be viewed from this point. There is some historical monuments in this park along with play areas for kids. Best place to hangout with friends and family. During winter we can even have small snow games.

Bruce Lidkea

One of my favorite views of Thunder Bay. Excellent parking. Family friendly.

Joe Zappitelli

No better place in Thunder Bay to park and watch the sun come up, or have a peek at the Sleeping Giant! Beautiful scenery and you can see for miles on a clear day!

Gregoryy Rosss

we were at a gift shop when a kind man told us about an amazing view at hillcrest park. not having anything to do, we walked over and i fell in love. there were different flower gardens everywhere you look, a really fun slide, and a beautiful view of thunder bay! oh- and the sleeping giant of course :)

JD Hewitt

Great scenic lookout, a place to wake up and see the sun rise and to see it set after a long day. A very popular hangout for residents of Thunder Bay and a good spot for photos and sledding in winter as well.

Michael Caswell

Always a lovely view of Nanabijou and a great place to visit a friend or two...

charming heart

Nice view of lake superior. But not that interesting like other parks

Hailey Sohlman

Great view, lots of fun playground equipment. Big field for activities too.

Nick O'Brien

Some of the best views in town!

Phil Klingensmith (Phil K)

Truly a beautiful place to come sit and look out across the bay see big shipping ships and sailboats and the sleeping giant. Park in your car for free and watch it all very restful very beautiful feels very spiritual. Also it's very easy to get out and walk around and get even a better view. :)

Chase M

Best view of the city and lake line

Jonathan Koo

Great place for kids to play and explore. Amazing views of the lake.

Lynne Miles

This overlooks the harbour in Thunder Bay, you can watch lake boats coming in, walk the grounds lots of flower bed or just sit in your car and enjoy the view. Many people have their lunch there during the summer, a beautiful spot. Gorgeous in any season.

Komal Vijay Shah

Amazing! The view at night is super cool.

Indravadan shrimali

Awesome view in evenings..

Carol Everett

This is a gorgeous park with lusious greenery, beautiful flower beds and excellent views of the city and Lake Superior. It offers a wonderful view of the ships and boats coming in and out of the harbour. A very busy park with thousands of people enjoying it all year long. A must see when you visit Thunder Bay.

Mary Bernadine Moog

Incredible view and relaxing view! Definitely must visit when you’re in Thunderbay ✨

Barbara Viklen

Beautiful park to walk, play, view the city and see the sleeping giant. There is a flower garden, benches, and a playground.

George Bott

This is a favourite place for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to see almost the whole of Thunder Bay from the height of land. Hillcrest overlooks the waterfront of the North Ward of Thunder Bay and features a stunning view of the Sleeping Giant. From this vantage point you will be able to pick out the features of InterCity and get your first look at Mount McKay in the South Ward of the city. This is a great place in any weather (welll - maybe not in the fog!) and at any time of day or night.

Andrew Denner

A great view of the city and the sleeping giant. There were nice flowers all around the park and benches to sit down and enjoy the view. The only issue is that there is quite a bit of graffiti in parts of the park including the flag pole and bell. There is also a nice playground for the kids.

Manu Sreeraj

Nothing much to do. Can get a good view of Lake superior.

Joel McDonald

While the playground has moved and changed since I was a kid, Hillcrest Park is still at least as popular as ever. Whether its to take the kids to the jungle gym, a game of catch, walking the dog, just getting out for some fresh air, there's few places that offer so much with such a view!

Michael Hecker

This park was the highlight of our trip to Thunder Bay - it was not Fort William as we had hoped. The views of the Bay and Lake were amazing!! We came on a clear sunny day.

Casteel LeBlanc

Beautiful spot to look over the city ❤️

James Wilson

Great view. Decent facilities. Porta potties can use a proper cleaning but otherwise good for the family

Deedz Dida

Such a beautiful place in the day and evening. Great view of the sleeping giant .

Tom Auger

Beautiful view Nice little park for kids

Lee Jones

Crazy nice views of the city and sleeping giant. The park is of medium size and the parking lot is easy to get in out of. There are play structures plus a pretty steep toboggan hill. If you dare slide down just watch out for the fence at the bottom of the hill. The park even has one of the last remaining active payphones I know of. Over all a great place to spend a little or a lot of time.

Zsófia Halmai

Seems to be the local meeting point for teenagers. I went there to get a nice view of the Sleeping Giant and I got what I wanted. My daughter enjoyed the playground.

Joseph Cloutier

One of my favourite meditation spots. Hillcrest offers hills for winter family fun, and a playground for summer family quality time together. It has some cool little corners with spectacular views. Hillcrest is another Thunder Bay gem.

Tirth Shah

Good place to spend time

Jay Kruzliak

Beautiful views of the harbour and Port Arthur. The play structure could be more substantial and better designed for younger kids. Large grass area to play on.

Geoffrey

Great park in Thunder Bay. Very scenic lookout of the Bay and it has a lovely english flower garden. Definitely a great place to check out if you are in Thunder Bay.

Tia Maria

A favorite stood spot. Fast food pr covid dining out experience car and veiw.

Zahid Javed

Great place for families to come by and view the city (especially at night) and the Sleeping Giant at Lake Superior

Derek E.

Impressive park! Nice playground and garden Best view in the city! Gives you a real feeling of the layout and landscape. Great spot for photos.

Michelle Greaves

Enjoyed a nice family walk through the park after dinner on a hot summer's day. Always love the scenery here.

Alicia Sandham

Nice view from here. Very spacious. Used to LARP here!

Sev Nampi

This park provides a good aerial view of the city.

aNUM Nasir

Its a great place to relax and have some peaceful time I take my 20 month old with me here she plays with literally just the grass and gors up and down and i can have some time to myself The view is amazing both in day and at night Highly recommended for quik planned picnics ????

Marc Ouimette

Another good stop in thunder bay to view the harbour and the sleeping giant

Dee K

Amazing view of the city and the floral garden area is beautifully maintained.

ML

Great view of the city lights. People coming and going throughout the time we were there. Sat and had coffee. Garbage cams used by everyone. Clean. A little lighting inn the area where the stairs on the hill are would be good but the people using then used their phone flashlights.

Abigail

I love this park, day or night. I could sit here for hours just admiring the view during the day and the lights at night.

Chris Dombroskie

Great view of the giant and Lake Superior. Broken glass and garbage along the path on a Sunday afternoon. The city should clean their key attractions every day.

Preciousdoll

I love going here in the evening. Never disappoints. I take family members here whenever they are in town. It's just so beautiful ????

Grace Hand

Stellar view on a non-smoky day. Beautiful scenery. Very quiet this morning. Great place to take your kiddos to let them play.

Greg “HOPPY” Hopkins

Awesome view of cities north side and lake superior. Relax and take in the sights. Lot more traffic than in past, probably has much to do with people needing a distraction from all that is covid 19 related these days even if it's just a 10 minute viewing, anything helps.

Ashley Ann

Its a nice place to bring kids but definitely made for toddlers and small children. Nothing except the classic big slide at the park. Amazing views though. Perfect for a picnic or a casual date

Rick Harrison

A great place to get a view of the harbour and The Sleeping Giant.

Mel Fortier (Lesbianmel)

What a view! Even in the winter. TBay you are a beautiful city

Good Quest

The Park is used mostly for parking your car and chatting with an amazing thought provoking view. A mystical place with blossoming crab apple trees, maples and oak trees there is a exclusive flower garden where you can sit or tame your children to a playground next to it. There are ancient junipers and a garden next to the bell where crickets entertain on a warm breezy night. To top it all off there is a sprawling small to mid sized field where people can picnic play rugby, touch foot ball, soccer or even volley ball it if you bring your own net. I have met people there that were there for healing. Am hoping the garden for next year is bright flowered healing garden. A place for bees and humming birds to frequently visit. A great place to visit. Here is to hoping to feel connected to everting if you are quiet and still enough. There has been some violent bullying at the Park at night but its rare. There is even an historical military equipment outside there. I cannot forget to inform you of the amazing sunrise Hillcrest Park offers. It centers you and get you in tune not just with your city and the day slowly ramping up but makes you aware of the universe. Guess how? Well due to the orbit there is a slow oscillation of the plant. One month the sun is rising north west and 6 months meter if you see enough of them you will see the sunrise rises in a totally different location rising in the east leaving you feel it will rise south east next but makes its way back Luke a fishing reel toggling side to side. Makes you think and feel deeply about yourself and the Universe in a big town. Lastly you can see the writings of Ararat the Greek Philosopher who wrote the first 50 constellations. Right above the park on a beautiful summers day take a blanket some food and watch the ancient world unfold as the 88 constellations dance in the night sky. The clarity is remarkable as you watch the Constellation Pegasus deliver lighting bolts to Zeus. A truly remarkable sight. It is so bright you don't even need a telescope. You could start off at the 4 leaf Clover garden and sit on the Knights Family Chair donated to the Park. If for your moment just for you. Walk across the field barefoot and the night Stargazing while reading the Audobagn's guide to the Night Sky or National Geographic. Even better read aloud Plato's Republic not the Allegory of the Cave but the part about the Greeks who believe a Messiah like figure they call the Star Gazer that will rise out obscurity to set a better path for humanity and lead the world to Peace and Prosperity. Who knows maybe you are that person and don't even know it. Come visit for a picnic during the day and experience High School Students doing photo projects or Parents taking their kids to play. The Park is for everyone whether it is a picnic or an old couple reaffirm their Love for each other. Give it your time. I rarely leave disappointed. Who knows maybe you will see some Cathars who believed their destiny was to turn into a ball of light and float into the Sun if you saw enough sunrises and sunsets. I go there for many reasons and each visit is different from the next. One thing for sure it is a great place in the midst of a very small city on the verge or big town aching for healing, renewal, rejuvination and prosperity. Youth are the keepers if the future. Who knows maybe on a warm summers night youth can find some wisdom, solace and serenity on a clear starry night. The only down side is the City dies not want experienced gardeners from the Conservatory doing the gardening work. If they contract it out it will go to the lowest bidder probably a summer worker who knows nothing about horticulture or gardening. It would be a big mistake to let the Conservatory Employees go. They are experts at what they do. The park is about feelings and clarifying inner emotional beauty. When you see the beautiful work they do you have gratitude and appreciation for respecting your emotions and feeling through the quality work that they do.

Jay Stapleton

Perfect view, and a lovely park. The essential image of Thunder Bay and the Sleeping Giant

Trevor McCloy

The view is beautiful, the park itself is filled with litter, people need to be more responsible.

Colin Hazell

Hillcrest park is dedicated to the Lake Superior Regiment whose history predates Canada’s confederation in 1867. It has beautiful and very well kept gardens, a play area for children, a memorial the the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) it has a commanding view of the Sleeping Giant and Thunder Bays Waterfront. We enjoyed our time walking in this beautiful park.

Tabitha Viscontas

Great view of the Sleeping Giant, but not much else.

David Kristiansen (The Panda)

Great view of the city and the sleeping giant

Steve & Shawnassie Bourgoin

It's a beautiful spot to see the sleeping Giant. It's always with in a 15 minute drive from anywhere in the city. A great place to enjoy a hot or cold drink with family or friends.