New York City has its High Line, but Canada has its own elevated park. But it’s not in a sprawling metropolis. It’s in the small town of St. Thomas outside of London, ON, which, up until this point, is famous for being the hometown of Hollywood star Rachel McAdams.
Rising 95 feet above the Kettle Creek Valley, the St. Thomas Elevated Park transforms a historic 1929 railway trestle into one of Canada’s most unique urban parks. Visitors can walk or cycle across the original wooden rail deck while taking in panoramic valley views, colourful gardens, public art and railway-inspired installations. Connected to the Whistlestop Trail, the park, opened in 2017, has become a hub for walking, cycling and community events.
St. Thomas, once a booming railway town, and then, well, not, is emerging as a trendy destination thanks, in part, to investments such as the elevated park. Also helping is the repurposing of historic railway buildings and other historic gems by entrepreneurs giving the city some much-needed creative energy.
Historians will know St. Thomas as the place the famous elephant Jumbo died while on tour with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Others might know it for the delicious IPA named in its honour (maybe only me), Dead Elephant Ale, by Ontario craft beer pioneers at 18-year-old Railway City Brewing.
In recent decades, it’s been known as the hometown of Academy Award-nominated actor Rachel McAdams, who cut her theatrical teeth while growing up in St. Thomas and attending Original Kids theatre in nearby London when she was just 12 years old.
St. Thomas, a.k.a. Railway City, is situated between London and the Lake Erie beach town of Port Stanley, acting as a hub to explore the entire region. There is even a monument dedicated to Jumbo to visit! The region is just two hours southwest of Toronto, and worth a weekend getaway.
