Facilities

Oshawa Second Marsh is a 137-hectare wetland located along the shore of Lake Ontario. It is bordered on the north by Highway 401, on the west by industry and on the east by the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park. Collectively these natural heritage areas represent approximately 400 hectares and are one of the largest publicly accessible waterfront spaces available in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Within Second Marsh there are over 380 plant species, 305 bird species, and numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.Second Marsh is one of the last remaining Great Lakes coastal wetlands and is of continental significance for migratory waterfowl, and a variety of other water and land birds. Visitors can connect to the Waterfront Trail and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve.

The Province has identified Second Marsh as a Provincially Significant Wetland and a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. This designation requires the protection of natural and cultural heritage features, biodiversity and the provision of compatible recreation. 

In March 2021, Oshawa City Council designated Second Marsh under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The designation highlighted Second Marsh's cultural heritage value, including its direct association with the early history of Oshawa, having been explored and mapped by Samuel de Champlain in 1616 and being the site of an early French trading post and the residence of one of Oshawa's first European settlers, in addition to its history as the southerly terminus of the Scugog Carrying Place Trail.

Emerald Ash Borer (E.A.B.) has had a devastating impact on the woodlot and trail network which has been closed due to the risk of falling trees and branches. On the west side, visitors have limited access to Second Marsh along the Waterfront Trail.

Misuse of the trail network and the site - including bypassing barricades, hunting, fishing, use of the highly sensitive barrier beach and the presence of dogs on/off leash - continues to be a problem.

Visitors are reminded that the marsh is a highly sensitive ecosystem given the rare species of birds and animals that make the marsh their home.
To ensure the continued enjoyment of the marsh by others and the health of the ecosystem, visitors are reminded to respect the following restrictions:

• No motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles, motor bikes and A.T.V.s)

• Please do not litter; use the containers

• No camping

• No excessive noise

• No hunting, fishing or boating

• No dogs (except on the paved Waterfront Trail)

• Stay out of restricted areas