Bronte Creek Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bronte Creek Provincial Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category II (National Park)
|
|
Bronte Creek shoreline
|
|
| Location | Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Oakville, Ontario |
| 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. Camping in the park is permitted, including sites with electrical hookups.
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).
Contents
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.
Education facilities, events and programs
Spruce Lane Farmhouse
Built in 1899, this a turn-of-the-century historic house museum near the remaining original apple orchards. 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.
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.
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.
Special Events and Programs
Park visitors can enjoy many daily guided programs July and August. These programs are developed with children and families in mind. Topics vary with the season and current concerns such as biodiversity, creatures of the night, life under a log, invasive species and noxious plants. There is a special event offered in just about every month: Family Day activities, Maple Syrup Festival, Victorian Easter, Spring time on the farm, Ghostwalks, Harvest Festival and Victorian Christmas. The park also hosts workshops and fitness sessions: yoga, pilates, photography workshops and plein air painting day.
Campground
Campers must access the campground via Bronte Road and Upper Middle Road in Oakville. A valid camping permit will allow overnight guests to enjoy the programs and facilities in the Day-Use Only Area (Burloak Drive) without paying the vehicle access fee or daily vehicle permit. Campers can enjoy our 1.8 acre or 7000+ square metre outdoor pool in July and August at a reduced daily rate. The Campground is open May - October. Reservations are highly recommended especially if camping in peak season or over a weekend. Sites all have electrical hook ups, a fire pit and picnic table. Water taps are close by and washrooms with showers, laundry and flush toilets are within a short walk of each site. Bronte Creek Provincial Park has 3 yurts, that allow guests who do not have a tent or trailer to experience camping. Want to learn how to camp? Sign up for one of our Learn to Camp sessions where park rangers will guide you through the proper steps set up a tent, dining shelter, cook on a camp stove etc.
Outdoor pool
Open daily in July and August for park guests to enjoy a beach experience of a different sort. Shaped like a bowl the pool gently slopes to a depth of 6 feet. PFD's are available through our PFD lending program. There is an additional fee per person to use the pool for the day. in/out privileges permitted.
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).
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 10:00 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.
