Culham Trail Fall Colours Credit River Mississauaga Ontario Canada - Great Drive, Great Walk, Cyclepath

The Fall Colours along Mississauga Road from Port Credit to Streetville are close to peak colour today, with leaves shades of gold, red, orange almost fully covering the trees. The change is more complete in the Streetsville area. Here are a few pictures I took this afternoon along the Culham Trail as it passes near Eglinton Avenue.

Highway 403 Mississauga Road Overpass

On my drive up Mississauga Road from Port Credit, I pulled onto the shoulder of the Hwy 403 overpass to take this picture of the changing leaves in the Credit River Valley. The Culham Trail (walking, cycling) runs along the river from Dundas to the Brampton border (map at bottom).

Hewitt Meadows Park Mississauga Ontario

As Mississauga Road approaches Eglinton Av, stay in the right hand lane, and turn east onto the bridge. If you are coming south down Mississauga Road, turn left at the Eglinton lights and get into the right hand lane as soon as possible. As you cross the Eglinton Avenue bridge over the Credit River, keep to the right hand lane, and be prepared to turn right at the first street, which is signed Hewitt Lane.

Hewitt Lane into Hewitt Meadows Park at Eglinton Avenue

 Hewitt Lane is dirt, fairly rough and narrow, so go slowly or drive a big truck. There is a small parking lot at the bottom of the lane, which ends at the Credit River. 

 

 Culham Trail Sign - Credit River at Eglinton

The trail is marked with signs near the parking lot, and is easy to follow. Under the Eglinton Avenue bridge, which is directly overhead at the parking lot, there is another footpath that leads up the hill on the northeast side of the bridge. I did climb the hill here, and crossed Eglinton to get back to Hewlett Lane.

Culham Trail Along Credit River

Before walking down Hewlett Lane, I walked to the middle of the Eglinton Av bridge to take this photo of the south Credit River Valley. As you can see, power lines mar the view. The lane in the picture is the Culham Trail.

Credit River South of Eglinton Bridge

From the parking lot, another footpath leads due west to the banks of the Credit River. This year, perhaps due to the lateness in the season, there were no salmon in the river.

Credit River  Fall Colours

The rough path (not the Culham Trail; that's paved and to the east of here) runs along the water line, and following rains, can be quite slippery.

Oak Trees Mississauga Fall Colours

On the top of the Eglinton bridge embankment, there is a line of young oak trees, seen here with fall colours of yellow. I wish I'd had more time to walk the trail, but these pictures, and the short walk I did have were an impromptu stop on my way to the bank.

Port Credit River At Memorial Park Mississauga

As I drove back down Mississauga Road to Port Credit, I took a detour on Queen Street to park along the Credit River across from Memorial Park.

Yesterday, I posted some pictures of fall colours on Lakeshore Road just west of here.
See also Streetsville Ontario page for more pics.

Do try to take a drive or bike along Mississauga Road while the weather is cooperating! The drive is perfectly lovely, the speed limit 50 kph, and the colours are gorgeous! There are  few places to pull over, and virtually no places to park. You might try pulling into a side street and walking back to take a picture. But most of all, just enjoy this beautiful show! The leaves will be gone before we know it.

Googlemap Mississauga Road. Zoom out to see route.


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Riverwood Wood Carvings Chappell House ~ Mississauga Ontario Park

Today I toured Riverwood Conservancy, a City of Mississauga (Ontario) park, and I couldn't have found a better tour guide than Dr. Nina Barabas, co-author of Wildflowers of Riverwood, a four-year labour of love to identify and photograph the wildflowers in this city park.

Riverwood Park Sign - Parking Lot

Riverwood Park is located northeast of Burnhamthorpe Road and the Credit River. Turn north at the traffic light, follow the winding drive up the hill, and park in the lot. This sign will orient you to the various trails. See map link at bottom of page. Note: Click on photo for larger image, then click Back button to return to this page.

Dr. Nina Barabas, co-author of Wildflowers of Riverwood

Nina took our small but feisty group on a tour of the late fall wildflowers and seed pods, stopping often to pick, smell, identify and admire the natural habitat around the marshy pond (below). Nina is one of many volunteers at Riverwood who help make this garden grow.

Pond and Marsh - Riverwood Conservancy Park

Nestled in the undergrowth just west of the main park drive and lot, this small pond makes a pretty tableau. Note the brown shapes, bottom center. These, says Nina, are teasel flowers, likely named as it can be used like a comb or brush to 'tease' wool.

Old Wood Wagon Near Chappell House Mississauga

Riverwood is a large park (60 hectares - 150 acres), with some trees 350 years old. Before it became Riverwood, this area was a film location for (the late) David Carradine's Kung Fu The Legend Continues series in 1994.

Stone Steps Riverwood - Mississauga City Park

From a trail down along the Credit River, look up the hillside and you'll find these lovely old stone steps leading up to the back yard of the Chappell House. According to the web site, Riverwood is co-owned by the City of Mississauga and Credit Valley Conservation.

Down the Lane to Chappell House ~ Riverwood

Wide roadway and bridge over MacEwan Creek leads to Chappell House past marsh lands and rushes.

Approaching Chappell House

Built in the Arts and Crafts Style, Chappell House is set among flower gardens and old growth trees. Walk around to the back garden overlooking the ravine.

Tree Trunks get new life at Riverwood and beyond

Wood sculptor Jim Menken carved the birds in this tree trunk near Chappell House, and the owls in the photo below. His wood carvings are simply wonderful!

Owls in the Tree Trunk Riverwood

Sculptor Jim Menken turns dead trees into art. These owls at Riverwood seem to be admiring the fall colors. If you drive Missisisauga Road about one kilometer north of the QEW, you will see another of his carvings on the north side.

Koi Pond - Chappell House Grounds

Flagstones and flowers edge this lovely pond sited in the front garden of Chappell House.

Riverwood Boardwalk Trail Credit River Lands Mississauga

New boardwalk protects fragile low lands along the Credit River, while providing a firm surface for walkers. More information, including how to get a copy of the wildflower book and how to volunteeer at Riverwood Conservancy.

Mississauga resident Jo-Anne from Meadowvale knows many of these city green spaces, and is a keen wildlife observer in the city and beyond. Jo-Anne writes:

Over the past few weeks, I've seen an adult Bald Eagle by 403 / QEW and a female Hairy Woodpecker yesterday here at Lake Aquitaine. Lots of Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches around Meadowvale as well.

Earlier this week on the way to Kitchener-Waterloo, I saw 3 White-tailed Deer running close to Hwy. 401 westbound just before a sign for Guelph. On the way home, I saw about 30 Turkey Vultures soaring above Lake Kelso and very low above Hwy. 401 eastbound.

I plan to visit Riverwood Park and Erindale Park soon to see the changing tree leaf colours along the Credit River.

Both Erindale Park, northeast of Mississauga Road and Dundas, and Riverwood Park are part of the Culham Trail walking cycling trail that continues north to Streetsville. See Googlemap Riverwood Park and Googlemap Erindale Park (Entrance to parking lot is across from Piatto Restaurant).

Do try to get out to these city parks to take in the fall colors! They'll be gone, and snow covered soon enough!

Lakefront Promenade Park Splash Pad Picnic Marina Perfect City Park to Spend Labour Day in Mississauga

Headed out this afternoon to Mississauga Lakefront Promenade Park for a Labour Day picnic. With its splash pad, picnic tables and boats in the marina, it was a perfect spot to spend a lovely Labour Day!

Bonus was from the top of a hill facing east, we had clear views to the CN Tower, and the CNE Air Show! Mind you, from this distance, it's a good thing the Blue Angels (US) and the Snowbirds (Canada) used smoke trails, or we'd not be able to spot them in the hazy skies.

But Lakefront Park was packed with cyclists, picnickers, kids splashing on the water pad, and many small dogs taking their masters out for a stroll. Here are a few random pictures of this lovely waterfront park on Lake Ontario (map link at bottom). Click on picture to enlarge, then click BACK button to return to this page.

Picnic Under Shade Trees - Lakefront Promenade

The hills in this city park give lovely views of the marina and Lake Ontario beyond. One of the best places to view the air show is from the deck of a boat out in the lake. The Mississauga Sailing Club is also located here, as is the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC). The PCYC used to be on the Credit River in Port Credit village, but moved some years ago to this location in the Lakeview neighbourhood.

Lakefront Marina Mississauga Ontario

From one of the hills, looking southwest to the marina and the boardwalk. There's lots of parking (free) though on busy days like Labour Day and any hot summer day, you may have to circle a few times or walk from the overflow lot.

Boardwalk to Lakefront Marina Licenced Outdoor Patio

A slightly bouncy boardwalk leads from the splash pad west to this boardwalk to the marina. The building houses a number of services, including a licenced patio restaurant. These swans and a cormorant were busy preening, and enjoying the warm sun, too.

Sheltered Bay Lakefront Promenade

This protected little bay off Lake Ontario is popular for fishing, though this day, the only fishing being done was by a few black cormorants.

Lakefront Promenade Marina - Mississauga Ontario

Despite its location south of Lakeshore Road, at the end of a winding park road, the marina, with room for about 170 boats, is not isolated in case of emergency. The marina is policed by Region of Peel Marine Unit, and in case of fire, there's a portable fire pump.

Black Cormorant, Canada Geese, Swans Mississauga

On the south side of the boardwalk linking the splash pad with the marina, these birds were having a fine preen and totally ignoring passersby. Well, all except a few ducks who made a fast swim over to where children were tossing crumbs into the water.

Splash Pad - Lakefront Promenade Park

Lots of shaded benches, an adjacent change building, close to the parking lot and picnic area - this is a fine family recreation spot to spend a summer afternoon.

Splash Pad Fun for kids of all ages

A few larger folks were cooling off under the splash pad showers. Lakefront Promenade Park used to be known as the site of the Four Sisters - the coal fired chimneys visible for miles. (See rubble this post). Now this park is known for a great recreation area. Do see map for location, and the park details link for more info including some interesting environmentally friendly design surprises (asphalt that breathes!)

See GoogleMaps for Lakefront Promenade Park.
See City Mississauga for Lakefront Promenade details.

Pink Azalea Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens

Two new things today at Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens in Mississauga (Canada) : A sign of spring and a sign for the park.

First, the sign of spring: Near the south bridge, closest to the lake, a flush of pink near the waterfront trail proved to be a pink rhododendron just starting to bloom.

Pink Rhododendron in Bud - Mississauga ON

The rhodo blossoms were just starting to open, and I had to step into the bed to see them close up. This bed gets south sun for -- gosh-- about 5 hours a day at this time of year, and will continue to get full sun until the deciduous trees leaf out and shade the rhodos  and azaleas that share this bed.

Rhododendron in Bud, and Azalea

Here's one of the rhodo bushes that shares this bed along the trail. This bed is the last one before you cross the bridge east towards Godfrey's Lane. These rhodos are very showy in mid-spring.

Late last fall, volunteer David and Gardens head gardener Para planted ferns and more in this same bed. Since the ferns have not yet sprouted new growth, I didn't want to chance trampling them.

Azalea Bush ~ Blush of Spring in Port Credit

Here's a wider shot of the azalea. It's just so nice to see this definite sign of spring, especially after yesterday's torrents of cold rain and chill winds. More rain tonight and tomorrow (I know, I know -- it's good for the rhodos!) but this coming weekend, temperatures are forecast to be in the low 20 C (70F). This should pop all manner of blossoms into view.

Forsythia is also newly bursting with yellow, and the new redbud trees -- planted last summer -- are fat with buds. As soon as they pop, I'll be there with my camera. As will dozens of others, especially on weekends. And when the flowers come, the wedding parties are sure to follow.

Brueckner Rhodo Gardens new sign

And, now, at either entrance to the park , the new signs are up, freshly painted and with a third plank to reflecting the addition of the name 'Brueckner' in front of the city park name. For background on why the City of Mississauga is recognizing the late Dr. Brueckner, see this blog post.

Rattray Marsh, Jack Darling Park, Lake Ontario, Toronto Views and a Great Waterfront and Canada Trail Walk

Update June 28 2010: On a walk today through to Rattray Marsh, we noticed two food vendors near the main building in Jack Darling Park, and that the splash pad is open. Construction of the water treatment plant will continue for about 2 more years.

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Easter weekend's good weather (though a bit chilly) begged me to go for a walk along the Waterfront Trail to Rattray Marsh from Jack Darling Park along the lake -- Lake Ontario. Clear conditions made for fabulous views of Toronto and the CN Tower.
Just near this spot on the lakeshore, the wind-whipped waves were washing ashore two wooden paddles, in mint condition. Another walker was timing the waves to try to salvage them. Seeing these oars cast adrift prompted my companion to wonder if we should be concerned that perhaps some hapless boaters were stranded. Let's hope not, as we didn't pursue this.

Jack Darling Park has a number of good spots to have a picnic, like this one on a small point of land that juts out from the shore, with fabulous views of Toronto. The CN Tower is the sharp pointy thing. A new water treatment facility, another 2 years or so from completion, is making a mess of the entrance and west side of Jack Darling park, and chewing up parking spaces and play areas, as well as a long section of Waterfront Trail.

The new trail section, though, is graded level, and looks ready for paving as soon as weather permits. Where Jack Darling meets Rattray Marsh, there's a small playground and what appears to be future parking. I certainly hope so, as this would alleviate some of the parking issues and traffic at Jack Darling.

The view in the picture above is looking west, towards Hamilton. (See how this scene looked in January, and a map of the area.) This is very near the spot where wooden stairs lead to Rattray Marsh trail, blocking bike access. Posted signs say this section of the trail is closed until May 2009. Though these signs have been up since last fall, and the trail access closed with wire and plastic fencing, visitors have worn a new path, and stepped over fallen sections of fence to continue the trail walk.

Into Rattray Marsh, with the songs of red wing blackbirds and robins, and a few seagulls providing a song track with the breezes. How still and lovely this spot is, and how lucky we are to have the Credit Valley Conservation Area to manage this wonderful resource. Near one of the bridges that cross the small creek that feeds into the marsh, we could see fish jumping near the banks. The Waterfront Trail and Canada Trail are one and the same through the marsh.
Three mallards were bathing and preening on the small pond. I had come to this area to see if there was any sign yet of the trilliums (Ontario's provincial flower) that blanket the hillside near this spot. All I could see were the first spikes of shoots that promised a good flower show in a few week's time. None of the small violets were up; not even any sign of leaves.

Sign of the Times: So many cautions and warnings! It seems to me that our governing bodies assume we Canadians don't have the sense God gave gravel, and need to be micro-managed at all times. Perhaps it's only the CYA legal implications. In any event, the bottom line is don't go swimming or wading in the water.

The best part of this area, to me, is that I live a few minute's walk from these wonderful parks and lakeshore. The best times to walk are on weekdays, as the weekends can draw visitors from further afield. But no matter! There's plenty of room for all.

Related Walking Trails at Lake Aquitane and Culham Trail

Video of Jack Darling Beach and Rattray Marsh.
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More information Waterfront Trail and Trans Canada Trail.

Wind, Waves Create New Shoreline Lake Ontario in Port Credit

At Brueckner Rhododendron Garden this afternoon (Mississauga, Ontario), I walked up the trail past the sleeping rhodos, azaleas and forsythia to the footbridge over the small creek that runs through the garden to empty into Lake Ontario.

As I stood on the bridge, I could see at once that the creek now took a dog leg to the right. Hmmm. This is new. This small creek formerly trickled straight south across the stones and emptied itself into Cranberry Cove without a lot of fuss. It's usually narrow enough to step over, if you're careful. Today, with all the rain over the past two days, I stayed on the path.

The first picture (above) shows the creek turning to the right, as seen from the footbridge. The stones along the lake front are a good size, and were piled high enough to divert the creek from its usual route. (See update at bottom.)

I walked down to the beach to where the creek runs parallel to the lakefront. Until just a few days ago, the creek entered Lake Ontario (Cranberry Cove) where you can see the tree branch (Log? Driftwood?) in the photo.

I've looked through all my archived photos of this part of Rhododendron Garden to see if I had any pictures of this area before the storm driven beach front rearrangement, and this is the best one I have. The creek is unremarkable, a thin stream entering the lake just below the tree branch on the beach. I took this picture last summer.

This entire area (south Ontario) has been pummeled by strong winds and copious amounts of rain the past few weeks; when the wind blows from the south east, as it has been doing, it forces waves directly onto the lake shore here. I took a video of the storm tossed waves on this beach a few weeks ago, and another video last week on the lake in Port Credit, about 2 km east of here.

Either one of those storms could have caused the creek diversion. Last night and today, the winds were gusting to 70+ kph (44 mph), but mostly from the north (offshore), so the lake was fairly calm, though out in the distance, I could see whitecaps.

And though it's early days until this garden is in the full flush of spring, it was nice to see these crocuses pushing through the winter leaf mulch. And along the bank above the beach, the day lilies are spiking up and promising a good summer's blooming. Can the trilliums and violets be far behind?

UPDATE April 12, 2009
Heavy rains and north winds flooded the creek a few days later. Have a look at the photo below and see how the force of the creek in flood changed the creek outlet back to the usual course.


If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it. And as for the trilliums and violets, I think they will need another week or two of warmer weather. The trilliums are just shoots as of Easter weekend, and the violets are nowhere to be seen.

Larch Tamarack Maple Oak Trees Late Autumn Mississauga Ontario

Clear skies and brilliant sunshine sent the gift of late fall colors to trees in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). I took this picture two days ago, and tonight, there are snowflakes drifting down. How fleeting the last days of Autumn!

Oak Tree Port Credit

This oak stands in the small park -- Ben MachreePark -- where Godfrey's Lane curves around to Ben Machree, overlooking Lake Ontario (see googlemap below).

Maple Trees and more : Fall in Port Credit

Lake Ontario is the flash of blue lower left; the background trees obscure a bench with a memorial plaque.

Tamarack (Larch) Trees in Rhododendron Gardens Mississauga

Tamarack or larch trees are a deciduous evergreen. To see a picture of these same trees on the first day of summer, go to this post: http://snapshot-travel-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/larch-tamarack-trees-among-beech.html

Close up of Larch / Tamarack needles and cones in Autumn

The Waterfront Trail runs through Rhododendron Gardens, and for the first year ever, this section of the trail and the section that runs along the Lake Ontario shoreline east of here will receive winter maintenance. Winter maintenance, as well as newly installed lighting, will help turn these Gardens into an all season attraction.

Map of this area: (note-- on this map, Cranberry Cove Park is actually Rhododendron Gardens, and has been for some time)

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Waterfront Trail Port Credit Mississauga Ontario

Construction of the Waterfront Trail through Rhododendron Gardens park in the Port Credit area of Mississauga is well under way this summer. (see Waterfront Trail site for details of the Trail)
This picture shows the new trail being cut from the Garden entrance at Shawmarr and Lakeshore in Port Credit. Currently the Waterfront Trail access is a block east of this intersection, at Godfrey's Lane. This new trail section will run along the creek in the Gardens, over the foot bridge at the lakeshore, across the field near the Tamaracks (photos), then rejoin Godfreys' Lane.

Heavy duty earthmoving equipment is cutting a new trail from the parking lot along the creek that runs through the Gardens and enters Lake Ontario about half a kilometer from here.

Along this new section of Waterfront Trail, the City of Mississauga Parks and Recreation Dept has planted about 15 new trees. As well, the gardeners have planted hundreds of new rhododendrons, an entirely new rose garden, dozens of hostas and relocated several mature azaleas.

The intersection (above picture) is Lakeshore Road and Shawnmarr. Parking is by permit only on weekends at the Gardens parking lot, but onstreet parking is available on Shawnmarr. There is also a Mississauga Transit bus stop at this intersection (bus No. 23).

When this new section of trail re-enters Godfrey's Lane it merges with Ben Machree and is well-signed. The trail passes through a block or so of city street, then rejoins the lakeshore trail, where you get these wonderful views into Toronto. Note the CN Tower on the skyline.

See new pictures of the Waterfront Trail on this updated August 29 2008 post.

Have a look at the Google Map for this part of the Waterfront Trail. The trail is not marked clearly on this map, but move the image to follow along the lake into Port Credit.


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