Fall into nature at Conservation Halton parks

Milton Canadian Champion,
Catherine O’Hara,
September 26 2016

Families can enjoy all that Conservation Halton parks have to offer at the upcoming Fall into Nature Festival.

The event, which takes place over two weekend starting October 1-2, runs at Crawford Lake, Hilton Falls, Kelso, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Mount Nemo and Robert Edmondson conservation areas.

A variety of activities will take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at each of the parks, with chairlift rides available between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Kelso, where festival-goers can take in the spectacular views of the fall colours. Rides cost $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also get a taste of what the trails at Kelso have to offer at the Mountain Bike Skills Zone.

At nearby Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, visits can try their hand at climbing the rock face of the Niagara Escarpment under the watchful eye of Zen Climb’s certified instructors. This activity runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. More information, including costs, are available online.

Hilton Falls and Crawford Lake will offer its guests horse-drawn wagon rides October 1-2 and October 8-9, respectively. Rides cost $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children and seniors. The rides will be offered between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and again between 2 and 5 p.m.

Crawford Lake will also be home to a First Nations presentation with Chief Topleaf. The presentations run over Thanksgiving weekend, October 8-10.

Conservation Halton is marking Halton Forest Festival Public Day October 2 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Rattlesnake Point, where guests will have an opportunity to build their own bird nest box, try their hand at archery with the Ways of the Wood staff, test their lumberjack, speed, strength and teamwork skills during the Cross Saw demonstration and become a citizen scientist with Ontario Nature.

The October 2 festival, according to the local conservation authority, highlights the importance of trees and forests in the region.

For more information on the Fall into Nature Festival, including a full slate of activities, visit www.fallintonature.ca.

More on the Forest Festival Public Day, visit www.haltonforestfestival.ca/publicday.