Yorklands Green Hub - Guelph, Ontario

Sri D. M.

Beautiful place really.
I love the scenery, the nature, and it is different from your typical walk.
I would definitely give 5 stars, if they let us see the inside of the prison.

See, the prison is a historical site, and it’s great for field trips, tourists, and more. But a few looks of the outside doesn’t give as much information as seeing the inside would.

And here’s another suggestion, don’t clean up the inside, that’ll be like wiping away history.

So far, a recommend this place, for those who only want the nature walk.

Please let us see the inside, and thanks for taking your time to read my review.

James B.

Very scenic area to walk; not what you’d imagine for land formerly occupied by a correctional facility. Paths are decent to walk and can even manage an average sized stroller. Also a number of paths you can take to mix up your walk. Not sure how the parking works in the area, so we parked in the large lot up the road at Watson and York. Even on a cloudy day it was a nice experience 🤗

Ashley-Ann O.

Such a beautiful walk! The old abandoned prison looks stoic against the overgrown background. We walked out to the stone wall and it was beautiful with the wild grapevines growing up and over it. I saw a baby snake (red belly), it was so cute. By the pond we saw a few frogs hopping around. My daughter loved it. We spent over 2 hours walking around. And we could have stayed longer if the baby wasn’t hungry. Definitely going to visit again.

Jennifer H.

Wonderful place to walk the dogs. Lots of hidden trails and three bridges to discover not to mention all the fantastic stone walls and staircases built by prisoners long ago. Gorgeous views and the old prison has some great photo opportunities. This place is a real piece of Guelph history.

Jody B.

This place is massive and real historical beauty. We like to check out different places, as per our 5 year old, but this will be one of few she'll want to back to and explore. A bit of a humorous tale, and an apology to the guard. I found a few boards lying around, but there was one old board over by the church part that when I lifted it up and there was a potentially dangerous pit about 4' deep for someone to fall in. I wedged the board a little more securely until I let someone know. So, walk around to other side of old prison building by a gate and lifted a metal frame. I thought maybe another pit. No pit, but the guard yelled something through the speaker. I didn't respond, I thought "he's just doing his job". Walk a bit further to, I believe, the greenhouse, then we turned around and came back to previous gate. My wife was taking pictures of a raven on the building as I notice my cane is bit bent. I stick my cane in a solid part of the fence to straighten and really get a tongue lashing from the guard via the speaker. This time I responded and said what I was doing. So, sorry to the guard who working that day. And, there's a previously mentioned hazard over but the church. It's ceiling is rotting wood covered with soil so who knows when it could cave in. Picture of pit attached

Shelley D.

Beautiful place to watch the sunrise/sunset, explore, hike, fish

Jason S.

I have enjoyed wandering and hiking through this place, it gives me peace of mind and mindfulness within nature.. without this green space and the ability to wander and thus wonder... I would have become a wrckless and hateful soul. With peace of mind I have been blessed with the ability to reconcile with my sociological demons and converse rationally with the rest of the world. Perhaps some may see me as a liability, but then again perhaps some might view me as a polished and thus recycled precious stone.... have you ever found a natural diamond? Historically speaking they are usually kinda ruff and unrecognizable when first discovered. ...

Chad B.

Absolutely beautiful gem in Guelph. Gorgeous walking trials!