Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Goulds is a community on the southern edge of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Avalon region. It has a farming identity, suburban services, wetland and trail access, and a distinct memory as a former town before amalgamation into St. John’s.
Travellers often pass through on the way between the city and southern Avalon roads. A better visit gives Goulds its own attention: Bidgood Park, rural-suburban streets, local services and the agricultural edge of the capital.
How Goulds Started
Goulds developed as a rural farming community outside old St. John’s. Its location gave residents access to the city while preserving fields, local roads and a community identity separate from the downtown harbour area.
City archival material records Goulds as a former town that was amalgamated with St. John’s in 1991, along with Wedgewood Park and Kilbride. That change explains the modern mix: Goulds is part of the capital city government, yet locals still use the community name because its history, schools, farms and roads are distinct.
What Goulds Is Like Today
Goulds is now a community within the City of St. John’s. Its population is not reported as a separate municipality after amalgamation, so current census planning uses St. John’s and neighbourhood-level context rather than a standalone town count.
On the ground, Goulds feels different from the older city core. Roads are more spread out, green space appears quickly, and the landscape shifts toward farms, wetlands, stables, schools and suburban subdivisions. It is a practical place for travellers who want the capital-region edge rather than the downtown waterfront.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Bidgood Park is the key local stop. It protects a wetland and trail landscape created through community effort and City of St. John’s park development. Boardwalks and paths make it the easiest way for visitors to experience Goulds beyond the road.
A drive through the community also shows the farming and suburban mix. Look for local services, open fields and roads leading farther into the southern Avalon. Goulds can be paired with a wider St. John’s visit, but its own identity is strongest when the focus stays on parks, farms and former-town context.
For travellers with extra time, use Goulds as a calm reset between city attractions and Avalon Peninsula coastal routes.
Quick Facts
- Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
- Region: Avalon
- Municipality type: Community within the City of St. John’s
- Population note: former town population is now included in St. John’s census reporting
- Official website: https://www.stjohns.ca/
- Main travel areas: Bidgood Park, Goulds roads, farming landscapes, local services and southern Avalon access
- Key routes: Goulds bypass and local roads connecting St. John’s with southern Avalon communities
Travel Notes
A car is the easiest way to visit Goulds. Wear footwear that can handle damp boardwalk or trail conditions at Bidgood Park, especially after rain. If you are combining Goulds with St. John’s attractions, leave time for traffic around the city edge. The community works best as a park-and-local-roads stop rather than a full-day destination.