Milliken Park

I will say that from the many times I’ve been here — today I can actually say my experience was decent.
The very first time I came here, all I remember was I was paying more attention to the floor than the beauty around me. The numerous geese dumpings, dog matter and garbage laying around was overpowering the natural essence that is the park itself — nature. However today it was very clean, it housed only a few cars in the parking lot, and overall, it felt private. On the other occasions I’ve visited, it seemed overcrowded and not fun enough to have any privacy because to me it just felt like a big backyard party that everyone was invited to.
I get why people may dislike it, however today I was able to appreciate the park in its glory without all the chatter, all the music blaring from obnoxious cars in the parking lot, dogs barking, etc. All I heard was some nice conversation from my company, the whistling of the trees, and the sound of water splashing into the pond to the point where my company and I actually stated we enjoyed our walk there because it was so pleasantly peaceful.
For improvements I’d suggest probably repainting the decks, repainting the lines in the parking lots for better visibility (even for dimmer evenings), possibly add more flowers to liven up the park just a bit and perhaps open a small hot dog shop where you can also purchase drinks/​water? Just a thought.

I have mixed feelings about this park. It’s not a huge park but it’s pretty convenient in terms of location, seeing that it is surrounded by many neighbourhoods and thus, is of walking /​biking distance for many people. There is free parking at this park which is nice for those who are lazy to walk or bike. There is a kids play area, pond, cement pathway, BBQ /​picnic areas, and large tree forested areas around different parts of the park. During special occasions such as Canada Day or Victoria’s Day, the park usually sets fireworks for the community to enjoy which attracts a lot of families to come watch. I’ve seen many kids fly their kites in the grassy fields, people playing cricket and soccer during summer, and even toboggan sometimes during winter. One down side to the park is that there are a lot of Canada geese that resides there with their young. Although they do produce a lot of you know what on the grass where people can step on, it’s not something that can really be stopped completely if you ask me. I mean, we can’t get rid of the geese entirely, that would just be selfish. It would be nice though if the park hired some sort of maintenance that would specifically clean up the geese poop. Another thing, it might be even nicer if the city somehow turned the small pond at the park to a natural skating rink during winter.

On Steeles Ave., between McCowan and Middlefield this is a conveniently located park for Scarborough/​Markham residents nearby. Plenty of parking EXCEPT on those holidays of course.
It has a small pond that ducks/​geese love to chill on a hot day. Several picnic areas with picnic tables and fixed grills, I recommend the one right next to the small pond along the path.
Kids playground area further inside the park. This park seems to be extremely popular for Kite Flying. Lots of OPEN green space for running around or having fun with Fireworks on those special statutory days.
I happened to pass-​by or take part for two of those FIREWORK nights and the streets go on insane and seemed almost to need police crowd control as everyone attempts to drive into the parking lot anytime of those days and drive straight out disappointed that no space is available within the park parking LOTS.
Lots of locals walk over which definitely makes better sense but even as a passer-​by it does get a bit frustrating in all the confusion as other drivers frantically think on the spot to find parking within the nearby plazas (Alton Towers, One w/T&T Middlefield).
Washrooms and facilities might be hit or miss but when the plaza w/T&T has Tim Hortons, you won’t need to worry too much as it is just a short walk away. Try to be CAREFUL when you J-​walk though but then everyone else does it here.

I am writing this review on behalf of my dog Momo. Both me and him cannot stand Milliken Park!
Why? The small pond that loonies love to hang out, attract all these birds and with that bring tons of poo!
Any small dogs with short legs and long hair are not good to walk in a park where almost everywhere covered in duck poo…
When I got home, I have to wash my runners, since it is hard to avoid not to step on any!
I went there once, and I never go back again!