Killarney Lake Park lies within the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik peoples. Located at 1653 St. Marys St, Fredericton’s largest park is a popular destination in all seasons, home to over 33 kilometres of trails that are groomed and used year-round by hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowshoers.
Killarney Lake sits on the western edge of the park. This natural freshwater lake is beloved by locals for swimming, fishing, and paddling. There is a beach, small playground, parking area, change rooms and picnic tables, plus washrooms a short walk away at the Rotary Centennial Lodge. During the summer, lifeguards patrol the buoyed area.
The 1.7 km loop along the perimeter of the lake is easily the most popular walking trail in the park, yet never crowded. You’ll find many families pushing strollers along the compact soil and gravel without a problem. Staggered around the loop are four benches, plus the picnic tables near the beach. On the southwestern side of the lake, near Killarney Road, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge which was reconstructed in 2022 to include a look-out platform with a beautiful view of the lake. On the other side of the trail is a small, swampy pond that is home to many frogs, ducks, and vegetation. Dogs must be kept on leash on this trail and throughout the rest of the park.
The trails at Killarney Lake Park are 6-12 feet wide, and a mix of gravel and compact soil which are well-marked and ranked by difficulty. The difficulty ratings are meant to assist skiers, but can give walkers and bikers some idea of the terrain. Green trails are the easiest while black trails have some challenging hills. At regular intervals, there are signs directing you towards the Rotary Centennial Lodge – very useful if you lose your way. The trails are designed to be versatile, however, the ground can be uneven and prone to bumps and ruts. Those using mobility devices may need to take extra care on the changing terrain.
Minutes from the city centre, this 645+ hectare park features natural landscapes and Acadian forest with a significant hemlock ridge running through the northeast. In the late spring, apple trees blossom near the beach, while spring ephemerals like painted trillium, lady’s slipper, rhodora, and forget-me-nots bloom. You’ll likely encounter the American red squirrel, and hear pileated woodpeckers and sapsuckers pecking away at trees. While children often catch green frogs and northern leopard frogs along the shoreline, other park inhabitants include white-tailed deer, garter snakes, raccoons, porcupine, spotted salamanders, and snowshoe hare.
Summer weekends can be crowded with beachgoers, but if you can make it out on a weekday you may find the beach relatively empty. In July and August, inland trails generally appear to be vacant. In winter, the trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing, as well as snowshoeing. Walkers should bring ice cleats or snowshoes as the beautiful terrain can become very icy, and be mindful to not walk in the groomed tracks. No matter the season, Killarney Lake Park provides recreation and solace to those who live in and visit Fredericton.