Butterfly Garden

These gardens were planted to promote native butterflies and monarchs. Located near the playground, these gardens of host plant species attract and promote pollinator species to help them flourish and do their important work.

Naturalized Areas

Planted to prevent erosion, provide goose control and provide shelter and food for local wildlife. Meadows, grassy areas, urban forest and naturalized areas, especially along the shoreline are a big part of the Park and Zoo. Shoreline restoration projects in partnership with the local Otonabee Region Conservation Authority and with the help of many volunteers have helped to protect against erosion and invasive species.

Low water techniques

Over the years different gardens have been used as xeriscape or low water demonstration gardens. The main office garden was once planted with water saving features like drought tolerant species, ground cover and rain barrels. A Water Wise garden was planted near the Dobbin Building featuring native species that require little water to thrive.

Floral Garden

Beautiful flower gardens adorn the Park and Zoo for visitor enjoyment. Our grounds team works hard to plant and maintain these many gardens. Generous community groups like the Peterborough Horticultural Society have donated the plants and seeds each season to grow and blossom.

Browse Garden

Browse gardens grow foliage, shrubs and trees that supply essential vegetation for the zoo animals. The animals benefit from nourishment as well as natural behaviour enrichment like stimulating scent glands and foraging for food. Our horticultural staff work closely with the animal care team to provide this key component of health for the animals. Browse gardens grown on the property can be cut and given to the animals in their exhibits.

Sundial Garden

At the heart of the Park and Zoo is the main office that hosts beautiful flowers and shrubs and at the centre of it all you will find the Sundial. Come and explore all the garden has to offer.

Riverview Park and Zoo has something for everyone with over 55 acres of beautiful scenery situated alongside the Otonabee River. Discover your wild side by visiting our zoo exhibits. We're open 365 days of the year so that you can learn, play and explore in all seasons! Feel free to download an AODA Map to your mobile device.

Sabre jet

The F-86 Sabre fighter jet is located on a 15' pedestal just before the train station in the south end of the zoo. It was flown in the Korean War and donated in 1971 by the Royal Canadian Air Force as a tribute in honour of the selfless men and women from Peterborough who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Disc golf

Our free disc golf course can be found at the north end of the park. Rules, hints and course maps can be found on the Peterborough Disc Golf website. Visit our Gift Shop to purchase your very own Riverview Park and Zoo golf disc (or a three-disc set with a driver, mid & putter) and play the course!  You can also borrow individual or family pack disc golf kits from the Peterborough Public Library using your library card.

Animal exhibits

With over 25 exhibits and 40 animal species, learn more about your favorite animals at Riverview Park and Zoo and how you can protect and conserve them in the natural world.

All our exhibits allow for the animals to either choose to spend their time indoors or explore outside. This is what helps make each visit to the zoo a special one since you never know who you might see on a given day!

Totem pole

The first totem pole was donated to the Peterborough Utilities in 1973 by Whetung Ojibwa Crafts and carved by Norman Knott of Curve Lake. More recently, a rededication ceremony was held in 2016 with a new totem pole being erected. The new totem pole was hand-crafted by Jody Paudash Fine Art of Hiawatha. 

The totem pole at the RPZ entrance is a symbol of our diverse heritage and friendship amongst our communities. With this totem pole, Riverview recognizes and appreciates First Nations people.

Picnic areas

Numerous picnic tables and grassy areas spread over the Park and Zoo are available to all visitors to use throughout the day.

City of Peterborough residents may also choose to reserve one of three picnic shelters found in the lower section of the park. Advance bookings are available from Victoria Day through to Thanksgiving Day.

Riverview walking trail

Approximately one kilometer in length, the walking trail winds along the shore of the Otonabee River. It extends from the Dobbin Building all the way to the picnic shelter area and can also be accessed from the back of the playground area. 

Enjoy the scenery and see how many birds and wildlife critters you can spot along the way.  RPZ is a proud partner of the new Bird Friendly Peterborough.