Bruce's Mill Conservation Area

 Here's another trail I came across lately called the Bruce's Mill Conservation Area.  It's a little out of the GTA, north of of the core in Stouffville (Whitchurch and 404).  It's also a little late in the year now, but opens again in early March of 2014.

There are over 92 hectares which includes over 10 km of hiking trails, a driving range, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and a pool.  This would be an awesome day trip for schools or family picnics.

I parked at the gate and walked around as far in as I could, but night was coming fast (despite the look of these pictures, darkness fell within half hour of taking them). I loved the house at the east of the front gate, so had to take some photos of that.

There is a splash pool called Bruce's Splash Pond, which is a hit in the summer months.  It must have been gorgeous in autumn with all the hardwood forests changing colours.  There are events here including pony rides, country bakes and a display of steam engines as well.

In the spring when the Conservation area opens there is a Maplefest at the Sugarbush.  Here's a video I found highlighting the festivities which start in early March when the park opens up again:  Bruce's Mill Sugarbush Maple Syrup

I don't know why, but I took this photo of this sign, which simply read "Humphrey A.W. Miles..Woodland, A Living Tribute".  Naturally since I love history so much I looked up who Humphrey A.W. Miles was, and found this link  To me, this seems almost like a marketing ploy, an advertisement for their business.  Either way, here it is.

I love this picture, with the lonely terracotta pot.  Maybe it's the sky in the foreground or maybe it's just the colors of the picture.  


If you are ever in the area of Stouffville, this offers quite a nice day trip to nature.

L'Amoreaux Park

While driving north on Brimley Road, I noticed a sign to L'Amoreaux Park on the east.  I had a curious inclination to visit it since it contains a strong resemblance to my family name.

Although I was on my way north I had some time to stop by.  I must admit now is not the best time to be taking a lot of nature shots as most of leaves have changed colours and dropped to the ground already leaving many branches bare.  Most of the latter part of autumn this year I missed due to an injury (klutzy me!) 

 It was pretty mild out still for November, so I took a little walk around to see what little surprises this park had for me. 

My first impression was that it wasn't going to be very big but before long you could see many curious paths going into different directions.  One small paved trail bordered a vast pond, another to small leafless trees, while still another circled a wood chipped covered trail.

To the north end of the trail it expanded to the L'Amoreaux Sports Complex which included the Kidstown Water Park, and the L'Amoreaux Community and Recreational Centre to east.  

The animals seemed quite comfortable in the centre of a heavily populated part of town and used to plenty of visitors crossing their path.

The L'Amoreaux Park constitutes over 50% of parkland between Steeles to the north and Finch to the south, it deserves another visit once the foliage returns.
 

It is also quite close to Passmore Forest, which is a tiny piece of shaded bliss of woodland.  It resembles more the look of a provincial park, rather than a piece of urban forest.  The woodchip trail that leads through a diversely populated mixed forest.  I am not at all educated in the many types of trees but I could easily identify the red oak, beech and white pine.   and red oak to name only a few of the tree species present.

I enjoyed my little visit and sometimes prefer to take photos on my own for this particular reason so that I can stop and discover hidden gems like these.