EDITOR'S NOTE: This article originally appeared on Milton Today Sept. 10.
The weather may be cooling down, but things are about to heat up – numbers wise – at Conservation Halton parks.
The ones that showcase the area’s autumn splendour anyway.
“People see those (social media) posts of the fall colours at those parks and they want to get out and experience that,” said A.J. Leeming, CH’s senior manager of programs and services. “What Mother Nature does for us really dictates how much the visitation surges.”
Be it a picturesque hike or chairlift ride, relaxing around a campfire or visiting with birds of prey, CH parks offer seemingly endless options when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors throughout the fall.
Here’s a look at just what’s nearby to discover.
Little Anglers’ Fishing Derby
New to CH’s autumn programming, the Sept. 28 derby at Area 8 offers children eight and under a chance to hook one of several varieties of fish – including bass, trout, perch, sunfish and Blue Gill.
There will be prizes awarded, and both rod and boat rentals are available.
Leeming said the event follows CH’s stocking project and general area development over the past three years.
“We’re really building up the fishery up there,” he said, noting the derby is a nature extension of this year’s highly-popular Ways of the Woods summer camp. “You can go with confidence with your kids to know that you’re probably going to catch something, in a pretty beautiful location.”
Click here to register for the derby or more details.
Fall Into Nature
Kelso, Mountsberg and Crawford Lake offer plenty of tranquil, manageable trails to hike and breathtaking lookout points to behold – with the scenery enhanced by a chairlift ride.
More interactive activities include a visit with raptors, farm animals and reptiles, as well as a tour of an Indigenous Longhouse Village, where a lesson in the ancient art of fire-starting awaits.
There’s also tie dye t-shirt making, wood branding and pumpkin painting and carving.
Said Leeming, “This (demonstrations) rounds out the experience someone can have at one of our parks. Our interpretive staff offer a welcoming experience.”
Fall Into Nature activities run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 27.
For more on event times and costs, or to make a reservation, click here.
Spooktacular Halloween
Starting Oct. 4 and running Friday to Sunday evenings until Oct. 27, Mountsberg’s family-friendly extravaganza is both spooky and educational.
Highlighting the festivities is a haunted barn visit that’s more on the young children scare spectrum.
“If you’ve got mature teens it may not be the fright and spook experience they’re looking for, but I’ve got some little ones and the displays we have out are really cool for that age,” said Leeming.
Youngsters are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes to get in the spirit of Spooktacular, which includes a new missing pumpkins scavenger hunt for tasty treats, an illuminated night walk trail, campfires and a guest appearance from the park’s snakes and owls.
Click here for more details or to make a reservation.