Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens Waterfront Trail Saddington Park ~ Great Walks in Port Credit

Bright sunshine, warm weather, no wind and a Sunday afternoon: If you could resist taking a walk along the Waterfront Trail in Mississauga yesterday, you're a better man than I am! 

 

Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens - Lake Ontario

And so it was that I headed to Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens on the Lakeshore and sauntered (yes, sauntered!) along the Waterfront Trail through the gardens and Ben Machree Park, along the lakeshore past the PetroCanada lands to Saddington Park and along to the lighthouse in Port Credit. It was a great walk, one that took me 3 hours to go a few kilometers.

 

Lake Ontario Ben Machree Park Mississauga 

I wasn't the only one who thought the day perfect for a walk, though. I met dozens of people walking their dog, or pushing babies in strollers (even one little girl pushing her doll in a doll stroller), daddies braced with a Starbucks coffee watching toddlers dig in the sand and throw rocks in the lake, several photographers, a slew of bird feeding types and a rollerblader bobbing and weaving around us all.

 

Lake Ontario Ben Machree Park - Port Credit / Mississauga

With little snow in this part of Mississauga this year, and the water level in Lake Ontario seeming especially low, I was able clamber over the breakwater in several places to beachcomb parts of the shoreline that are usually the domain of large waves. Like in the photo above: This part of the beach is usually underwater, and the back yard of several private homes.

 

Breakwater, Waterfront Trail at PetroCanada Lands Port Credit

 Even the Toronto skyline seemed especially clear: So close, yet thankfully, far, far away. I love the view of Toronto, especially from the waterfont in Port Credit. It makes a lovely backdrop and you miss all the traffic and noise. The ship in the picture sits offshore at the Port Credit Marina.

 

West Bank Credit River at Port Credit Ontario

The Waterfront Trail leaves the shores of Lake Ontario at the Credit River, and winds north along Front Street to Lakeshore Road. There's a pedestrian bridge over the Credit River; follow the path to Snug Harbour Restaurant, and walk towards the lake to get a closer look at the ship.

See also Ducks Walking on Water post from this walk.

I made my first attempt at a google walking map of this route:
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View BRG Waterfront Trail Walking Tour in a larger map
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Today the weather changed dramatically: Our first snowfall of the year! Gone the lovely sunny Sunday, and the strollers and roller bladers. Today, the weather outside looks almost exactly like it did in this video I took at Breuckner Rhododendron Gardens over a year ago. Brr-r-r-r! Glad I took yesterday afternoon off to saunter along the Lakeshore Waterfront Trail.
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Walking Trails Ontario, hiking in Ontario,

Canoes, Rowers, Fishermen, Waterfront Trail, Fall Foliage ~ Fabulous Fall Port Credit on Lake Ontario

Such a fabulous, warm and sunny Fall day, it seemed everyone in Port Credit headed to the waterfront to walk the trail, to fish in Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Credit River, to canoe, cycle, row and kayak, and marvel at the last of the gorgeous colours of the fall leaves.

Here are a few pictures to show you how to celebrate the gift of a summer day in late Fall! Click on a picture to enlarge, then click the Back button to return to this page.

Snug Harbour Restaurant Port Credit

A bright red canoe heads down river past Snug Harbour restaurant (across from the landmark lighthouse) towards Lake Ontario.

Fisherman Lake Ontario Port Credit

One of many fishermen along the lower Credit River this fall afternoon, with a view of the CN Tower and Toronto skyline.

Driftwood Shore Lake Ontario Mississauga

Afternoon sun made this large piece of driftwood gleam, and the still Lake Ontario waters are testament to the calm winds. With no waves to stir the water, we had a rare glimpse of the lake's sandy bottom.

Rower Lake Ontario Port Credit

A man on a mission: this lone rower was skimming along so quickly west towards Hamilton, I had to move fast to snap this picture.

Walkers Along Mississauga Ontario Waterfront Trail

This stretch of the Waterfront Trail passes between Lake Ontario and the PetroCanada lands, a rolling, twisting path that's popular with cyclists, roller bladers, walkers and runners. Several cyclists were towing babes in wagons.

Copper Beach in Fall - BRG

The Waterfront Trail passes through the BRG - Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens in west Port Credit. The copper beeches were particularly lovely this afternoon along the east garden at the Godfrey's Lane entrance.

Tamarack - Larch Fall Colours BRG

Across the Waterfront Trail from the stand of copper beech trees is this stand of tamaracks (AKA larch) in their yellow fall foliage. See also this post for mor larch/tamarack pictures.

Red Crab Apples - Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail

Fall in Ontario is all about colour this year, and these red crab apples certainly did their part! While areas north of the city of Toronto had wet snow showers this past week, in sunny lakefront Port Credit, we were treated to a warm summer day; Temperatures reached 17C (63F). Most people wore only a light sweater or jacket, and several men were wearing only Tshirts and shorts.

The weather forecast for the next few days calls for temperatures nearly this warm, so if you're in the Toronto - Mississauga - Oakville area, do make a point of going out for a walk. We'll be into winter in Canada soon enough!

Related: Paddling and Hiking in Ontario's Southern Shield Country book Amazon.com
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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.

Flowers, Sailboats Lake Ontario, Sunset - Random Photos of Port Credit

As the rain pours down yet again, I am using the time to tidy up my iPhoto pictures: Labeling Events, Faces, and pictures. And in the process, I came across some misfiled photos, and thought I'd post them here. There's a rhododendron, a cleome, and a red bud tree in full bloom.

And sailboats with spinnakers on Lake Ontario, and a neat cloud formation and two photos of the sunset the other night. Here you go!

Mauve Rhododendron

The Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens are across the street from my house, so I do take a lot of pictures of them. This beauty, whose name I forget just now, is always a lovely show in early June.

Red Bud Tree in Full Bloom

I took this picture of the red bud tree beside Snug Harbour restaurant in Port Credit. I didn't know the name until the head gardener at BRG (Brueckner Rhodo Gardens) showed me the same trees at the gardens. They remind me of jacarandas, and make me think of two of my favourite cities -- Sydney (Australia) and Buenos Aires -- in spring.

Waterfront Trail Views of Lake Ontario Sailboats and Spinnakers

The Waterfront Trail runs along Lake Ontario in Port Credit, through the BRG. I know. I am spoiled living in such a fabulous location. The views change daily, according to weather and time of day, and I never get tired of them.

Clouds over Lake Ontario at Port Credit Mississauga

Another view of the Lake from the Waterfront Trail. Coyotes have been seen at dusk and into the evening, but I've only seen one once, and through the fence along the trail. It didn't take any notice of me, but then I wasn't walking a small dog.

White, Pink Cleomes in Full Bloom

Cleomes are one of my favourite flowers! They are perfect for the lazier type of gardener, as they grow fast and tall without fertilizer, they don't mind drought / dry conditions, they aren't fussy about soil, and they bloom lavishly all summer long and into the fall.

And cleome have the added benefit of thorny stems that surprise animals and humans who would run through the flower beds. Oh, and they usually seed themselves. Just give them time in the spring to make themselves known, and you don't have to buy new plants each spring.

Sunset over Port Credit - One

I took this picture through my bedroom window - literally. Glass and all! That my little Canon digital did such a good job is just another reason I love my Canon cameras.

Sunset over Port Credit - One

What caught my eye with this sunset is how clearly the incoming frontal system is shown. Oh, yes, the vivid colors, too! But you can actually see the system passing overhead.

That's it for this iPhoto clean up. I really must get to work. Hope you enjoy these pictures of my little part of Canada!

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.

Snug Harbour Port Credit Winter Dinner Specials - Free Swan and Lighthouse Views

(See Update bottom of page) Snug Harbour restaurant, located at the mouth of the river and across the bridge from the lighthouse in Port Credit has, arguably, the best location of any of the hundreds of places to eat in Mississauga.

Even if the food was unpalatable and the staff unpleasant (and this is not the case at all!), Snug Harbour views and great patio overlooking the Credit River would still be a huge draw.

There's even a riverside walkway for after dinner strolling -- south towards the lake, or west across the river to Saddington Park, or north along the walkway under the bridge on Lakeshore Road into Memorial Park. During the summertime festivals in Port Credit, Snug Harbour has the best location. You can't buy this type of outdoor ambiance any more. Kudos to whomever grabbed this property up!

Swan Near Lighthouse in Port Credit

As winter ends, and the swans migrate again, someone leaves grain here for the swans, usually a it later in the year. A few of these birds were looking for it in the parking lot.

Here's a video of the swans, geese and ducks on the river ice, backdropped by Snug Harbour.

Swans on Credit River Across From Snug Harbour



-See what I mean about the location? When you're stuck for dinner conversation, just watch the birds! (In summer, the boats, sea-doos, canoes, kayaks and dragon boats.)

Lake Ontario Bay -- Port Credit -- Waterfront Trail

About a ten-minute walk from Saddington Park, where the Waterfront Trail takes you along the Lake past the PetroCanada lands, this small bay was covered in the oddest slushy-looking ovoid shapes. Here's a close up (below):

Close up Ice Lake Ontario Port Credit

If anyone knows how these shapes came to be formed, please let me know. How cool (no pun) are they? Is it simply wave action on melting ice?

Anyhow, getting back to the winter dinner specials: An email from Snug Harbour Restaurant says that from now until March 31, Sundays to Thursdays inclusive, from 5 p.m.to closing, Snug Harbour is offering half-price entrees.

Now if getting fed, and saving money in a place with 'Snug' in its name doesn't take the chill off this snowy winter weather, I don't know what would!

More Info:
Snug Harbour.com

Update November 2009: From Snug Harbour:

Winter In Canada - Snow and Ice on Lake Ontario Make Natural Art in Port Credit Mississauga

Winter in Canada - snow and ice and cold winds -- is not my favorite season, but today, here in lovely Port Credit, even though the temperature was about minus 10 Celsius (14 F), and there was plenty of snow and ice everywhere, the sun was warm and it felt wonderful. And so for the first time in several weeks, I headed across Lakeshore Road through Rhododendron Gardens to have a look at Lake Ontario, and see what the cold weather had brought to the shoreline.

Rhododendron Gardens Snow Fence

The mid afternoon sunlight set up blue colored shadows across the large meadow area south of the rose garden and peony bed. Snow fencing is used to block snow drifts, though in this case, it is backed with burlap in an attempt to keep salt from the Waterfront Trail winter trail maintenance from being strewn on the new flower beds. Road salt, even so-called environmentally friendly products, can still harm garden plants and lawns.

On the Lake Ontario Shoreline Looking south to USA

This afternoon, I was the only person in the gardens, and with ice floes hugging the shoreline, and no wind to speak of, the silence was incredible! Hard to believe this location is only a few minute's walk south of busy Lakeshore Road. A unseen plane passed, breaking the silence for a moment. But even the birds bobbing out in the open water past the ice made not a sound.

After a few minutes, I noticed how the waves had broken on this tree branch on the shore, and frozen in place, so I moved in for a closer look.

Winter in Canada = Snow and Ice

Here's a medium shot of the ice covered branch. The puffy mounds in the foreground are large rocks placed here along the shore to block erosion. When there is no snow, you can see where it is safe to step. But today, the blanket of show covers the crevasses, so it's not safe to go walkabout.

Natural Art in Canada - Snow and Ice turn a tree branch into Sculpture

Here's a close up of the same branch. Cool, no? Pun intended. Nature knows how to make her own ice sculptures!

See more Winter in Canada Snow pictures here and how snow is melted by machine.
And stay warm! It's only two months until SPRING!!!!!!

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area Waterfront Trail Mississauga Ontario

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area is one of my favorite walking trails in the area. It's accessible via the Waterfront Trail in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada), which connects to Jack Darling Park. Rattray Marsh is not a Mississauga park, but under the aegis of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC). It's a haven for inner city wildlife, and a great favorite of birders and hikers, but not cyclists. The trail is a footpath through the marsh - no bikes allowed.

Rattray Marsh in Winter

A few days ago, before today's bone-chilling cold (minus 20C or 4 F) set in, I headed out to see the marsh in winter. As is the case with Jack Darling park, the footpath through this marsh receives no winter maintenance, but the snow was not deep, as you can see in the photo above. From this viewpoint, we are looking south across the marsh 'lake' to Lake Ontario

River Runs Through Rattray Marsh

The light snow marked the ice in the river, with open water around it. Likely today, with much colder temperatures, this river will be totally frozen across. I could go check, but it's too cold for me!

Animal tracks in the snow at Rattray Marsh

I am not sure what animal made these tracks. It might have been a rabbit. Closer to the river, deer tracks led down to the water's edge, where it must have stopped for a drink. Along the boardwalk rail, a squirrel had made a great set of footprints. New fallen snow is not only pretty, it provides a road map for animal traffic.

Grey Squirrel in Underbrush and New-fallen Snow

This grey squirrel blended into the underbrush and snow - his colors echoing the landscape colors. Though the day was chilly, we met a number of other walkers, as well as a photographer, all of us taking advantage of the winter sun.

Rattray Marsh Trilliums in Spring

Rattray Marsh is a great area to find Ontario's provincial flower -- the trillium -- in bloom in early spring. I took the above photo last April. Wild violets bloom around the same time as trilliums, and both white and violet blooms carpeted the hillside. I can hardly wait for Spring!

For more information on Rattray Marsh, see the CVC site.
For photos and googlemap this area and Jack Darling park in winter see this earlier blog post.