About Brampton, Ontario
From a settlement in the early 1800s, to an officially designated city in 1974, Brampton has grown into a dynamic and vibrant city with a proud past and bright future.
Brampton is Canada’s 9th largest city, moving from a small population of 500 in 1853 to 656,480 in 2021. It is the fastest growing of Canada’s largest 25 cities, and Brampton’s growth represents 90.2% of the net population growth within the Region of Peel (between 2016 and 2021). We are a diverse community with 250 cultures speaking 171 languages.
Brampton is located northwest of Toronto, within close proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport. Home to more than 10 0,000 businesses, the city’s major business clusters include manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade.
In addition to a well-developed economic base, Brampton residents enjoy a high quality lifestyle. It is the first city in the GTA, and one of only 10 in North America, to be designated an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization in 2007. Brampton also received the Platinum Youth Friendly Community designation from Play Works, for a third time, highlighting our outstanding commitment to growth and development opportunities for youth.
Offering more than 9,000 acres of parkland, Brampton is a green city providing access to more than 850 parks, many recreational amenities, open spaces, and trails.
Brampton
Things to do in Brampton
Charles F. Watson Family Gardens
This beautiful showpiece gardens is an oasis of colour. Not easily visible from Hwy. 10, the gardens are below street level along the Etobicoke Creek Trail. The gardens are located on the east side of Hwy. 10 and Peel Village Parkway.
Historic Bovaird House
Historic Bovaird House is a significant Brampton heritage landmark. The Friends of Bovaird House and the City of Brampton have developed this wonderful Georgian-type farmhouse into a popular tourist attraction. The property boasts heritage gardens typical of 19th century plantings including a pretty rose garden, herb garden and orchard. You will want to take a tour of the house while you are there.
Gage Park
The most popular place in downtown Brampton to enjoy the fresh air. Gage Park is Brampton’s oldest municipal park and a very beautiful one. Pretty floral gardens, large trees, gazebo and fountain provide a wonderful setting popular with both local residents and visitors from far and wide.
Food Tourism
Brampton is home to Canada’s ninth largest population featuring a vibrant and multi-cultural community. It comes as no surprise then that this diversity is reflected in the cuisines available throughout the city.
Brampton’s diverse multicultural population is proud to share their unique tastes from around the globe. Not only are there many local hidden gems that focus on delivering the tastes of home, there is also a significant number of young talented chefs, drawing on their cultural roots to create innovative dishes.
Lakes and Water Fun
Find a peaceful oasis behind Brampton’s busy roads and residential areas: a landscape of picturesque lakes and rivers is one of our city’s best-kept secrets. At Professor’s Lake you’ll find sandy beaches, a lakeside park and trails and 65 acres of open water to sail, paddle and splash in, June to September. Call for beach hours and boating information. Along the Etobicoke Creek you will find picturesque Loafer’s Lake. This is a popular place for relaxing, taking photographs and a great spot to start your walk along the Etobicoke Creek Trail. Heart Lake, located in the Heartlake Conservation Park, is a sparkling lake set against the backdrop of beautiful scenery and lively wildlife. Here you can escape the city life and breathe the fresh air of delicate nature. At Heart Lake, you can choose from a wide variety of activities including fishing, swimming and canoeing. Be sure to take your children to the Wetland Pool and Splashpad!
Credit River, Etobicoke Creek, Humber and West Humber Rivers
Many rivers flow through Brampton, all heading south towards Lake Ontario. The Credit River and Etobicoke Creek flow through the west side of Brampton with the Humber and West Humber rivers flowing through the east. Although the Etobicoke Creek is not officially a river, it is significant in the development of Brampton. It attracted early European settlement, and has environmental significance. Thousands of years ago, Palaeolithic peoples used Brampton’s rivers as transportation routes. Today, they are a tremendous asset to the landscape of Brampton. Brampton’s trail system follows our rivers, providing a wonderful environment for running, walking, or just taking in the calming sounds and scenery.
Parks and Conservation Areas
Spend time outdoors to explore forests, lakes, parks and wilderness – all without leaving the city.
Brampton’s dense forests make you feel like you’re hours away from the city. Look for native bird species or enjoy a picnic in the outdoors at one of our parks and conservation areas.
Andrew McCandless Park
One of Brampton’s newest parks bustles with activities for kids and adults, including soccer and cricket fields, a splash pad, skateboard ramps, a playground and more. A natural area features recreational trails along Huttonville Creek.
Creditview Sandalwood Park
The landscaping, sports fields and facilities throughout Creditview Park were designed with sustainability in mind. A recent addition is the Creditview Activity Hub: the first of its kind, with facilities and play structures that are fully accessible to include needs of people with physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Community Forest
Brampton’s Community Forest is an exciting partnership between the City of Brampton and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, with the generous support of Trees Ontario, Tree Canada and the Region of Peel. Working together, we are creating a forest along Etobicoke Creek, in the heart of the city. It will showcase healthy urban forests and leave a legacy for future generations.
Heart Lake Conservation Park
Heart Lake Conservation Park is named after the shape of one of its two spring-fed, kettle lakes formed by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. Located within the Etobicoke Creek watershed, these lands feature natural spaces as well as seasonal amenities like the Wild Wetland Splash Pad and Pool. Activities include hiking trails, fishing, picnic areas and a place to rent pedal and row boats.