Adventures & Amenities

Architecture

St. Marys is popularly known as Stonetown, thanks to the nearby limestone quarries that, in the nineteenth century, provided the material for so many of the community’s beautiful buildings and bridges, over forty of which have been designated Ontario Heritage Properties. Indeed, according to a Toronto Star journalist, St. Marys boasts “some of the finest old limestone buildings in the province.” Another journalist writing for the Toronto Star echoed this sentiment:

“This beautiful little town lovingly referred to as Stonetown reflects the town slogan, inscribed on its historic water tower: St. Marys: the town worth living in. I feel I have ventured into the past, even before crossing the bridge and passing the water tower. The streets are lined with beautiful old stone houses and the sandstone townhall towers over me like a medieval castle. I expect the women to be wearing gowns that sweep the ground and men in top hats, tipping them in greeting, but modern cars line the streets and people wearing the latest fashions greet me with a pleasant ‘Good morning.'”

St. Marys’ splendid architectural heritage has also been noted in travel articles appearing in the Globe and Mail and the Winnipeg Free Press.

An excellent way to explore the architecture and history of St. Marys is through the Historical Narrated Walking Tour which runs on Saturday mornings at 11am, from July 7 to August 25, from the Town Hall at 175 Queen Street East.

You can find out more about St. Marys’ fine buildings by visiting some of the following links:

• Historic residences
• Town Hall
• Grand Trunk Railway Station
• Water Tower
• Public Library
• Churches

Sports and fitness

There’s a wide variety of recreational and athletic activities available in St. Marys, and most of them are free.

Summer, spring, and fall

• Golfing at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club or the River Valley Golf and Country Club.
• Kayaking and canoeing in Trout Creek, or at the Wildwood Conservation Area.
• Power boating at the Wildwood Conservation Area.
• Indoor swimming at the Pyramid (a salt-water facility).
• Outdoor swimming at The Quarry (Canada’s largest pool) or the Wildwood Conservation Area.
• Fishing at Wildwood Conservation Area, at Thames Quarry, or Trout Creek.
• Baseball at Teddy’s Field or the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Walking along the Riverview Walkway or along Thomas Street and Line 5 into the open country.
• Hiking on the mile-long Grand Trunk Trail or the sixty-mile-long Avon Trail.
• Lawn bowling at Lion’s Park.
• Tennis at the outdoor, lighted, public courts just across from the Lind Sportsplex.
• Soccer at Meadowridge Park or Southvale Park.
• Competing in the River Road Run.

Winter

• Curling at the Lind Sportplex/Curling Club.
• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Avon Trail, along Riverview Walkway, or along Thomas Street and Line 5 into the open country.
• Toboganning on the fenced hill at the corner of Thomas Street and Park Lane.
• Winter tube sliding at River Valley Golf and Tube.
• Indoor swimming at the Pyramid (a salt-water facility).

Antiques