Mills Falls - Ancaster

Mills Falls (also known as Ancaster Falls or Upper Mill Falls) is situated beside the Ancaster Old Mill Restaurant and is about 7 metres high and 4 metres across.

It is considered a complex classic cascade, but I just consider it beautiful.  As in any waterfall picture, a tripod is necessary unless you can rest it steadily enough on a rock or ledge of some kind.  These two pictures are obviously taken a different times of day and from different vantage points.  

The waterfall is adjacent to the Ancaster Mill Restarurant which serves the classic fare that you can expect from an upper middle class menu.  A very popular location for wedding receptions because of its picturesque views from within the restaurant.   

Although the water treatment of the falls are man made outside the restaurant, the actual water source is taken from the Ancaster Creek and is an all-year-round flow (more or less) although it does sometimes freeze up in the winter.

Just a little background about the Old Mill Restaurant (Ancaster Mill).   In 1832 Harris and Alonzo Egleston who had once worked for the William Wiard's foundry had made enough money to eventually buy him out. 

They then expanded their own business and rebuilt the Grist Mill in 1863, which is now known as the Ancaster Mill on Old Dundas Road.  This was the 4th mill in Ancaster and the third to be rebuilt at the current location.  The originals were all destroyed by fire, one in 1812, the second in 1818, and the third damaged by fire in 1954. 

Scarlett Mills Park - (Humber River)

 In Toronto's west end about half-way between the Queensway and Hwy 401, there are a string of parks and trails to explore heading northwest from Eglinton Avenue west to Steeles West.

The first one located on the west bank of the Humber River is Scarlett Mills Park.  It's only about .9 miles long but it's got lots of nice little secret paths off the main trails.   Under a neat little cove surrounded by trees are clean and clear openings to the river, you can sit back and relax and try your luck on a line or two in the water or just enjoy the peace from the busy city.


Was funny to see an old black couch which has been meticulously placed by the river bank.  It looked a little worn, and probably used by many a ponderer or fisherman.  

Historically, the Scarlett family were early settlers in the area north of Lambton Mills where numerous members of the Scarlett family made it their home.  Father John Scarlett owned a sawmill and a distillery.  

Most of the Scarletts' estate is used today as a Golf and Country Club (Lambton Gold and Country Club).  

Another historical fact is that after the notorious Hurricane Hazel in 1954, many sources had contributed their time and money to restore the land and lives destroyed by this event to form the Scarlett Mills Park.



 







Further Notes:
The park can be entered by vehicle from Edenbridge Drive.  It is also accessible by TTC.  A special note to cyclists you can travel through the park along the Tommy Thompson Trail. 

Summerlea Park

After the devastation of Hurricane Hazel in the 1950's Summerlea Park was one of the numerous conservation areas that was preserved afterwards.  In the north end of the park, Summerlea connects to St. Lucie Park and to the south Pine Point Park.   

Located in the west end of Toronto (bordering beautiful Etobicoke) Summerlea is used often by local wedding photographers, with its lush forests and accommodates a large party with its expanse of parkland.  

As a trail it's moderately flat making it very suitable for jogging (I don't do), walking, blading (weak ankles) and cycling.  The trail connects to the Humber River Recreation Trail (Pine Point or otherwise known as 'The Elms'). 

 
Like the Old Mill Park, we found some peaceful urban spots here as well.  Be warned, the ducks and geese live in a large pond nearby driving me crazy with their noises!  
 
One curious sight I did see, was this sort of inverted basketball net stuck in the middle of the crowd.  It wasn't long before a frisbee just missed my ear and apologies soon followed from two burly men who were obviously involved in some kind of competitive game.  I asked them what sport this was to which they replied,"frisbee golf" or disc golf. 

Pine Point Park (in 'The Elms' Recreational Community)

In the western part of the Humber River Valley lives a Community known as the 'The Elms'.   In it you will find a whole host of things to do and see.  Included in the 5.5 km trail is a Recreational Park called Pine Point.  It is a long linear park is that is visible of of Highway 401 and Weston Avenue, and encompasses the southern boundary of this neighbourhood.

Pine Point is a multi-use recreational park which includes as you can see here an expansive and popular soccer field and used often for regular lacrosse practice.  I was stunned when I heard that up before 1994 Canada's national sport was lacrosse.
  Well, since 1994 they added hockey to the mix, which makes more sense to me.


On top of the hill is an indoor Arena which is the home of the Etobicoke Hockey League, a figure skating club and a Ball Hockey club.  As well, there is the Pine Point tennis cub with 4 clay surface courts.

Next to the Arena is the Pine Point Banquet Hall which hosts a variety of social, cultural, and business events. But the best is, in addition to this park is the beginning of a 1.7 kilometre paved trail with bridges across the Humber River and nearby Berry Creek.  Berry Creek runs through the centre of this neighbourhood and serves as a watershed of the Humber River Valley.