parksandtrails_front9.qxd 10/14/05 9:40 AM Page 1 The Benefits of Outdoor Recreation About This Guide Our Showcase of Parks • Parks and natural environ- ments have great spiritual meaning for many. Get out and participate in one of the many recrrecreationaleational activities • Outdoor recreation is one Briar Nine Park & Reserve #18 on Map French Royalist Park #47 on Map Headwaters Park #60 on Map Hunter's Point Wildlife Park #70 on Map of the best approaches to that can be done on our trail sys- envirenvironmentalonmental education — tem such as: hiking, cycling, The Town of Richmond Hill’s Parks, Recreation and a key to long term sustain- jogging and bird watching. Culture Department is pleased to provide this Parks & Experience breathtaking natural features typical of the Oak Did you know that aristocrats settled in the Richmond Hill The design of Headwaters Park The creation of Hunter’s Point Wildlife Park involved a ability. Trails Guide as a comprehensive reference to our unique Ridges Moraine as you follow the trails at Briar Nine Park area after the French Revolution? Visit French Royalist Park was inspirinspireded by its significant unique and innovative design that aimed to establish • Trail and pathway systems and exciting park and open space system. Richmond Hill & Reserve. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears tuned — and browse through the signs to find more information about location adjacent to the habitat for wildlife. This park is worth a visit in the spring save energy and prprotectotect air quality by encouraging non- contains an unbelievable amount of park and open space at this park there’s a chance to see or hear wildlife native to the history of early French settlers. confluence of three Rouge and summer because there is a good chance that you will motorized transportation. land and probably more trails than you think — all the Oak Ridges Moraine. Along rolling hills, through River headwater tributaries. see and hear resident and migratory birds and butterflies • Participating in outdoor recreation contributes to mental The theme for French Royalist Park blends the formal, the available for your use, free of charge, from dawn until native wildflower meadows and past kettle wetlands, red- The Rouge River Headwaters throughout the park. In the winter, the toboggan hill health — reducing strstress,ess, reducing depression and Did you know?That we have a colonial and the natural. The parparkk design pays tribute to 11:30 pm! tailed hawks, meadow voles and monarch butterflies are Walk, a part of the Walks on the leading from Hunter’s Point Park down into neighbouring contributing to emotional and psychological well being. park specifically designed to formal, French Renaissance landscapes. The playgrounds are just a few examples of the animals that make this park part Wild SSide®ide® environmental Chapman Park is a hit with people of all ages! • Physical activity is essential for preventing obesity. This guide was created to help you navigate through a attract urban wildlife? reminiscent of French chateaus with tall towers and peaked of their habitat. The community garden at Briar Nine education series, starts at • Outdoor activities unite people with similar interests and recreationalrecreational and natural heritage experience that is beyond turrets, royal blue and yellow were used to reflect the colours of foster friendships. demonstrates how native flowers and shrubs can create HHeadwaterseadwaters Park and weaves the usual! It was also intended to cast a spotlight on some That one of French Royalty and the Fleur-de-lis is featured on playground • Outdoor recreation has been shown to increase self-esteem, Richmond Hill’s Did you know? beautiful gardens that have valuable ecological functions among natural areas, sports of the spectacular features within our park system, and banners and fence panels. Colonial design typically had rigidly self-concept and self-confidence. largest parks was and require minimal maintenance. Educational signs at the fields and play facilities provid- provide useful natural heritage, recreation programming planned walkways and gardens, and settlers in Canada tried to • Current research indicates that co-participation in outdoor generously donated to the Town seating areas provide additional information about Briar ing opportunities to see and Town contact information. The location of all our impose symmetry onto the natural landscape. As you stroll leisure activities is positivpositivelyely related to family satisfaction, by a former resident? Nine. branches of the Rouge River as family stability and family interaction. trails, parks and suggested safe, on-road cycling routes is along the walkways, you’ll enjoy the seasonal blooms of lilies, they emerge from the Oak • Fitness and well being reduces both the incidence and sever- accurately depicted on the Town map. We hope that this irises and French hybrid lilacs. Winding trails through the That over half of Ridges Moraine. Whether you ity of illness and disability — lowloweringering health care costs guide will encourage you to make use of the many Did you know? hedgerow are symbolic of the wild, natural world settlers tried our natural areas prefer to play sports in the amenities that the Town has to offer and that you are located on the to conquer. park, walk, jog or rollerblade experience the sights and sounds of the natural world right Oak Ridges Moraine? at your doorstep! on the trails, Headwaters Park and nearby Lilac Grove Parkette provide a myriad of options for your fitness routine! www.richmondhill.ca Photo Credits: Gera Dillon, Dan Olding, Richmond Hill Soccer Club, Northwood Associates, Peter Thomson © 2006 Park & Trail Etiquette Mill Pond Park #90 on Map Phyllis Rawlinson Park #107 on Map Pioneer Park #110 on Map Ransom Parkette #115 on Map Pioneer Park is an oasis of greenery A Guide to Parks & Trails Mill Pond was named On your first visit to the Town’s largest Oak Ridges containing a tributary of the East Don in recognition of the MMoraineoraine park, you’ll know you’re somewhere special. The River, a mature hardwood forest sawmill operation that park land was donated by Phyllis Rawlinson, a long-time featuring some of the oldest trees in in Richmond Hill Cycle Safely Respecting Nature used this pond for resident of the Town, on the condition that it be managed the Town, and a storm-water manage- power. The sawmill is for conservation purposes. Given Phyllis Rawlinson’s When you’re cycling on the road you are considered to be • Please stay on the designated trails. Walking through ment facility. A majestic reminder of an important compo- request, the park is a fitting site operating a vehicle and therefore you have rights and the vegetation can destroy plants, disrupt wildlife the forests that once dominated nent of Richmond for Celebration Forest®, a unique responsibilities. If you are unsure about your duties as a habitat and compact the soil. southern Ontario, Pioneer Park’s forest Hill’s culture heritage woodland where trtreesees are cyclist consult the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, is beyond a doubt the most impressive • Keep your dog on a leash and your cat indoors. because it was part of planted in tribute of special R.S.O. 19901990.. feature on-site. Designated an Domestic animals disturb wildlife and natural what made the heart of occasions and to honour the vegetation. Environmentally Significant Area by Safety Tips to keep in mind when cycling. vegetation. Richmond Hill an memory of loved ones. For the Toronto and Region Conservation • Remember that the following activities can seriously attractive place to settle more information about this • Look and plan ahead; don’t become distracted. Authority in 1986, the forest links green spaces of the lower damage natural areas: chasing or feeding wildlife; pick- in the late 1800s. program call (905) 884-8013. • B Bee predictable — follow rules, obey signs and signal ing or digging up wildflowwildflowers;ers; piling or removing dead East Don River to those on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Heroic Town Phyllis Rawlinson Park is the your intentions. wood; and trimming vegetation. Leave nature as it is Mill Pond Park is stage to the popular summer Concerts In The community efforts to restore and enhance this precious natural Map only park in the Town equipped Inside • W Wearear a helmet — bicycle helmets are law for all for your children to enjoy. ParPark,k, andand itit alsoalso hostshosts thethe annualannual WinterWinter CarnivalCarnival andand MillMill feature have been instrumental to the forest’s sustainability. with barbeque facilities and fire Ontario cycyclistsclists under the age of 18 and they are • Hold on to litter until you can dispose of it in a Pond Splash Events. South of Mill Street, visit the Millennium • Hold on to litter until you can dispose of it in a pits. It’s the perfect place for If you want to get involved in a community environmental highly recommended for cyclists of any age. garbage bin. In addition to being unsightly, litter is also Garden and find your way to the Museum of the Streets (look garbage bin. In addition to being unsightly, litter is also outdoor events of all sorts, from project such as the one at PPioneerioneer Park, call the Natural dangerous for wildlife (especially glass, metal, string for the sign). Resident waterfowl are another reason that Mill This vest-pocket park is located on Yonge Street in the dangerous for wildlife (especially glass, metal, string large family reunions to roman- Heritage Section or email [email protected] — and wire). If there is a park or trail location that you Pond Park is a favourite for many. Please help keep our wildlife hearheartt of old Richmond Hill — just a quick jot across the General Trail Safety Tips and wire). If there is a park or trail location that you tic picnics for two.