Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek Provincial Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Bronte Creek shoreline
Map showing the location of Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Location Ontario, Canada
Nearest city Oakville, Ontario
Coordinates 43°24′50″N 79°46′0″W / 43.41389°N 79.76667°W / 43.41389; -79.76667Coordinates: 43°24′50″N 79°46′0″W / 43.41389°N 79.76667°W / 43.41389; -79.76667
Area 6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Established 1975
Governing body Ontario Parks

Bronte Creek Provincial Park is located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Ontario Parks system.

The 6.4-square-kilometre (2.5 sq mi) park is located at the western edge of Oakville, bordering on Burlington. The park features hiking and biking trails, cross country skiing, and a play barn. During the summer, swimming is available in a large outdoor swimming pool.[1] Camping in the park is permitted, including sites with electrical hookups.[1]

Bronte Creek Provincial Park has 2 separate activity areas (day-use and camping) which must be accessed via 2 separate entrances. Campground must be accessed via 3201 Upper Middle Road W, Oakville. This is off of Bronte Road, exit 111 off the QEW/ 403. The main day-use area is accessed via 1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville. (exit 109 off the QEW/ 403).

History

A provincial park was proposed as early as 1956, with the proposed 32-hectare (79-acre) site being rejected for reasons of size and location. A subsequent proposal for a larger 219-hectare (540-acre) was also rejected; this time due to costs and jurisdiction with the Halton Region Conservation Authority. The current park came into being with help of James W. Snow persuading the Ontario Parks Integration Board in a meeting on Jul 27, 1971.[2]

Education Facilities, Events and Programs

Nature Centre

Built in 1899, the Spruce Lane Farmhouse is a turn-of-the-century historic house museum near the remaining original apple orchards.[3] Open in the summer, the house features costumed interpreters. Special events and group programs feature historical themes. The park hosts many events including: annual Maple Syrup Festival in March and Harvest Festival in September area both held at the Spruce Lane Farm. Complete list of events can be found on the events page of the Ontario Parks website.

Bronte Creek Provincial Park Farmhouses

Spring and fall in Bronte Creek is spectacular and a photographer's dream.

Nature Centre

The nature centre offers live animals and exhibits on natural history, and includes aquariums, terrariums,and displays on local reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and insects. The centre is open from May to September and offers natural history and environmental programs for the general public and visiting groups.

School Group education programs are offered both as outreach, in park and via digital links. To book your group contact the park 905-827-6911.

Learn to Camp program is offered June - September. Park Ranger guide family groups through a weekend of interactive sessions where participants will learn how to set up a tent, light a campfire and cook a meal outdoors. Reservations are required for this popular program. Almost all equipment is supplied for use during the educational weekend.

Trails

  • Maiden's Blush Trail – 1 km – (Located in Day-Use Area),
  • Trillium Trail – 1 km – (Located in Day-Use Area),
  • Ravine Trail – 2.7 km- (Located in Day-Use Area),
  • Gateway Trail – 1.5 km- (located in Campground area),
  • Halfmoon Valley Trail - 2 km (Located in Day-Use Area).
Bronte Creek in fall colours.

Children's Farm

The Children's Farm is located next to the nature centre, and features a mid 19th century barn that has been converted to a play loft and activity area, and stalls with different barnyard animals. Animals on display in the barn and nearby include pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats and sheep. Park staff farm wheat, oats, soybeans and other crops on park land. The Children's Farm is open year-round.

Disc Golf Course

The disc golf course is located near parking lot F in the day-use half of the park. The course winds through pine forest and hilly marshland, offering 18 holes of disc golf with both amateur and professional teepads. The course is maintained by the Bronte Creek Disc Golf club which meets on Sundays at 10:30 am for league, which is open to everyone.

Friends of Bronte Creek Park

The Friends of Bronte Creek Park is a non profit charity run by volunteers at the park whose aim is to enhance the visitor experience at the park. 100% of the funds raised by the Friends is used to support park programs such as summer staff, animal and bird feed and to fund various projects that the Friends undertake. Www.brontecreek.org

References

  1. 1 2 "Bronte Creek Provincial Park". Toronto Life. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  2. ↑ Killan, Gerald (1993). Protected places: a history of Ontario's provincial parks system. Dundurn Press. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-1-55002-180-6. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  3. ↑ Killan, Gerald (1993). Protected places: a history of Ontario's provincial parks system. Dundurn Press. p. 220. ISBN 978-1-55002-180-6. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
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