Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area

Almost six years ago now, when I was driving back from somewhere... I don't remember where,  I stumbled onto one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. 

Funny thing is from the outside it was just a parking lot and not even a properly paved one.  I almost didn't bother.  But that time, almost dusk I took a couple of my favourite photographs ever.  It was hard to top it again.  I don't think I ever did.


I stopped blogging for so many years because I saw so many other people taking pictures that I thought were better or pictures of the same thing.

Then after hearing so many people tell me that they missed "my stories" or my photography that I realized that we are all stars in our own right.  We all have that take on something and that you shouldn't compare yourself to anyone else.

Taking pictures of the shot or what I love is precious whether 1 person or 1 million people read or see what it is you do, it is a part of you.  It is your legacy.  Sometimes it's the only thing you leave behind and you have a duty to share it.

So now after all that melodrama is over with -  I come back again.  The weather is perfect and the day ahead is long, not nearing an end at all.  I encountered some great blue herons overhead, but scrambled with a camera feeble-handed and excited and never got one clear shot of them.

The Rogers Reservoir is 70 hectares of trails which follows the route of the abandoned 'Ghost Canal system' of the early 1900s and is part of the Nokiidaa Trail system which links the Towns of East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora.  You can access it from the parking lot that I am speaking of earlier which is on the north side of Green Lane, between 2nd Concession and Leslie St.  

Start your hike by walking west towards the bridge. Before the bridge, you will notice a trail going north; this is the route of the historic Metropolitan Radial Line. As you cross the foot bridge, you will see the remains of a swing bridge that was once part of the canal system.

Next you will be at a T-intersection. The trail to the south heads to Newmarket and the East Gwillimbury GO station; the trail to the north is the Rogers Reservoir Trail.

The trail is flat and is perfect for walking, jogging and biking. Take note of the wildlife you may see: heron, geese, American coot, rails, kingfishers and several varieties of ducks floating along the waters.

Note the many spots along the trail that give visitors the opportunity to take a rest and enjoy watching the river from either the benches or sitting rocks. To your right, you will see the Holland River, on the left-hand side there are wetlands. Work is ongoing to enhance this habitat.

The Region of York is undertaking a dramatic transformation of 2nd Concession where it crosses the Holland River. Changes to the trail system and access points should be anticipated.

With its natural wetlands, meadow habitats and mixed forest, areas like Rogers Reservoir are becoming more important to have access to. As our homes get larger and our yards smaller, we’re becoming more detached from nature. And study after study highlights the importance of exposure to nature for our mental and physical well-being.

For those living in East Gwillimbury, a quick stroll from the corner of Yonge Street and Mount Albert Sideroad will lead you into the Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area where you’ll see all sorts of birds like great blue herons, American coots and sora rails. You’ll also see turtles, frogs and dragonflies in the newly enhanced wetland.

You can also relax and cast a fishing line in the river. There are many options for your outdoor adventure.

For those a little further south of East Gwillimbury, you’ll be pleased to know that Rogers Reservoir can now be accessed from the Nokiidaa trail, connecting Aurora, Newmarket and East Gwillimbury along the East Holland River. So grab your bike or plan a hike for the day and hit the trail. For those who are too far to walk, or don’t own a bike, you can also park your car and enter the Conservation Area on the north side of Greenlane, between Yonge Street and Leslie Street.

If you’re new to the area or not so confident in your outdoor exploration skills, a perfect opportunity to explore the area is coming on June 16, when they host  a Community BioBlitz event. BioBlitz events are increasing in popularity across the world for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and novices alike. The daylong event will see many experienced nature lovers sharing their knowledge and expertise with others as they explore the area to catalogue the hundreds of species that can be found.

Elora Gorge and Trail

The Grand River is one of my favorite places to go in the warmer months.  It flows through the bottom of the Elora gorge, approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long, with limestone cliffs reaching 22 metres (72 ft) high. 

The Elora Gorge is another remnant of the last ice age much like the Scarborough  bluffs, it was formed from glacial meltwaters.  The area includes a park with camping sites, hiking trails, and is also popular for kayaking and tubing.  

When we went there people gathered in a row to do some ziplining.  Usually in the summer months in July and August only, you can buy a seat across the Gorge suspended in the air for about 5-10 minutes for $40 a head.  That's a little too much money for such a short time for me not even for the thrill of it all.
 

 Located nearby is the "old swimming hole", at the Elora Quarry Conservation Area, a 0.8 hectare (two acre) which was a former limestone quarry Elora Quarry did not become a conservation area until 1976, but it was a popular swimming area long before that.

This shot was taken a little later in the year

The Elora Gorge Falls are located a bit upstream from the Gorge.  It's roughly a 7 m tall waterfall. 

As an interesting fact: The Quarry served as a film location in the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King's novel It.

There are wonderful trails in and around the Gorge as well to explore.   Absolutely one of my favourite go-to places in Ontario to get out the big city and go exploring!

Edwards Gardens

I remember going to Edwards Gardens a few times as a child with my parents.  Much hasn't changed since then, as far as I can recall.  There are still beautiful garden features like annuals, roses and wildflowers surrounded by rockery here, but for the most part much is as lovely as I remembered.

Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Gardens are both located  on one of several tributaries in the Don River (Wilket Creek) where you can overlook spectacular views of large centenarian willow trees, stair rises, waterfalls and bridge arches.  

The summer is when the gardens come to life, and although rarely preferring summer over fall, this is the only time when everything is in bloom.  Much of the structures on the estate originally entitled to Alexander Milne (a Scottish weaver) who  settled there after 1812 still remain.  Alexander remained only for twenty years and left the property neglected.

Thankfully the land was bought by Rupert E. Edwards in 1944 where he had created a beautiful garden and  restored the wool and sawmills still there today.  Rupert sold the property to the City of Toronto in 1955 and it then became a public park.  

Today, Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Gardens are enjoyed the world over, as well as a city treasure for its hiking and cycling trails, gift shops, floral shows, as well as a photographic goldmine.  With its trimmed lawns, flower beds, rivers and creek, and exotic trees it's a perfect backdrop for a wedding and wedding parties.  

My son and his fiance were scoping out a few venues for their wedding and I can see endless possibilities for perfect photographs here.  Edwards Gardens has won an Award of Excellence for the Regional Citation category from the Canadian Society of Landscaping Architects.  I guess that explains why. 

If you do decide to have a wedding ceremony or have formal wedding pictures taken at a city park, you do need to have a permit.  I didn't know this.  If you need more information, click here.

Ontario Place

It's been so many years since I visited Ontario Place, but I decided to check it out on the long weekend because I was given free tickets to the Cinesphere for the viewing of "Under the Sea'.  We brought the bikes out because the weather was just gorgeous.

The Ontario Place calendar is loaded with events and I really hope it takes off this year because it has sooo much to offer, especially for young families!

For starters, if you are an avid bicycler like me you are always on the lookout for new bike trails to discover - Ontario Place has just opened a new trail called 'Trillium Park, William G Davis' .  It has full boat access either by water or by land, and for those who choose to walk-in their transport - there are plenty of canoe lift-offs.




We loved the film at the Cinesphere and you know movies just don't look as good as they do here!  Every moment seems up-close and personal.  The chairs are relatively comfy but would have liked it if they laid back just a little.  A note for the cyclists though: we had trouble locating racks or proper bike security here yet.  I hope that changes since there are plenty of two-wheelers around.


I should mention that the Ontario Place's Trillium Park incorporates a lot of Indigenous culture.   There was a lot of consultation with First Nations that went into it.  The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation were involved in the consultation process, so I've heard.

It took around three years to build the park.  The trail, itself, used to be a parking lot.   All the trees, plants and shrubs total about 1,200 trees and 28,000 shrubs and perennials.  They're all indigenous.

The rocks and boulders that surround the park were transplanted from the Muskoka area.

Total cost was around $30-million, but the end result is a bicycle, dog, and jogger friendly,.

We saw lots of people splayed out on the grass during the late afternoon. The green space was less overrun than other similar spots in the city.  We stopped to have our lunch of egg salad sandwiches while overlooking the lake in two perfectly set Adirondack chairs.












I'll be back again and again and I certainly hope Ontarians will rediscover it too.