Donated by Thomas Nugent for park and recreation purposes on May 10, 1895, Nugent's Park holds the distinction of being Ontario’s oldest park. It was rededicated on May 10, 1998, marking over a century of community use. Located one block south of Holt Boulevard on Lemon Avenue, the park sits directly behind the Ontario Museum of History & Art, making it easy to combine a visit here with a museum trip.

The park itself feels like stepping back in time. You’ll find lush green spaces, mature trees that have been growing here for decades, and well-maintained walking paths that wind through the grounds. It’s genuinely peaceful—the kind of place where you can actually hear birds and rustling leaves rather than traffic noise. The shade from those old trees is substantial, which matters a lot when you’re walking your dog on a warm San Bernardino County afternoon.

Dogs are welcome here, and there’s plenty of space for them to move around. The paths give you good options for a casual stroll or something more purposeful, depending on what you and your dog are in the mood for. You’ll see regular visitors and locals who clearly know the park well—people who come back repeatedly. The historic nature of the place adds something interesting too. Knowing this park has been around since the 1890s, providing green space for over 130 years, gives it a different feel than a newer park.

There are benches scattered throughout if you want to sit for a bit, and the tree coverage means you’re not going to be broiling in the sun. The park’s proximity to the museum makes it a natural stop if you’re exploring that part of Ontario. Parking is available nearby on Lemon Avenue, so getting your dog out of the car and onto these historic grounds is straightforward.