Family Day is the perfect opportunity to get your loved ones outdoors for a winter adventure.
Here are some exciting happenings at Ontario Parks this Family Day Weekend (February 17-19):
Tag: Killarney
Frozen falls and other wacky winter water
REMINDER: venturing out onto unsafe ice puts your life (and the lives of first responders) at risk. Take in the beauty of winter shorelines from solid ground.
When most of us picture winter ice, we conjure up mental images of skating rinks and icicles. But did you know there’s a lot of variety in wintry water formations?
From frozen falls to ice volcanoes, winter water is quite a sight to behold:
Winter adventure at Killarney Provincial Park
Killarney Provincial Park is 645 km2 of beautiful, unspoiled nature. Add in some incredible trails and comfy accommodations and you’ve got a total winter hot spot. It’s no wonder winter explorers flock to the park when the cold hits.
So what are you waiting for? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own Killarney adventure this winter.
Continue reading Winter adventure at Killarney Provincial Park
Christmas Bird Count — keep the community science tradition going!
Today’s post comes from Cortney LeGros, the Healthy Parks Healthy People coordinator at Ontario Parks.
The holiday season is steeped in tradition.
No matter how you celebrate, there’s one scientific tradition that’s been around for over 120 years to help mark the holidays.
For me, the holidays would not be complete without participating in at least one Christmas Bird Count.
Continue reading Christmas Bird Count — keep the community science tradition going!
5 ways to stay active in the cold
Brrr! Temperatures are dropping, and winter’s icy grip is almost upon us.
We bet you’re feeling just about ready to tuck into a nice, long winter’s hibernation.
Not so fast! We’ve partnered with our snow-loving friends at Subaru Canada to share some great ways to stay active and enjoy winter.
Outdoor activity is important for our mental and physical health all year long. Getting outside is good for you even when the weather is not ideal.
Ontario Parks has 30+ parks open in the winter. Each park offers plenty of ways for you to get active in the chilly months.
Health benefits of dark skies
Today’s blog comes from Senior Marketing Specialist Sarah McMichael-Chen.
My most memorable camping memory didn’t come from a crackling campfire, a panoramic lookout, or a stunning sandy beach.
It happened at 3:00 am at Lake Superior Provincial Park.
As I stumbled out of my tent for a late-night bathroom break, I noticed something different about the sky above me. There were stars.
A LOT of stars.
Stars over Killarney 2023 recap: a marriage of culture, beauty, and science
Stars over Killarney is an annual festival celebrated at Killarney Provincial Park. The event’s 2023 theme — Colours in the Cosmos — was inspired by the parallels between the beauty and the colour in provincial parks and the beauty and colour of the skies above.
And beautiful colour was found everywhere at this year’s event!
The program took a very hands-on approach, so what was being presented could easily be seen and captured by paintbrush or smartphone.
Continue reading Stars over Killarney 2023 recap: a marriage of culture, beauty, and science
It’s Take Me Outside Day!
Written by Discovery Program Project Coordinator Jessica Stillman.
Teachers, did you know you can help your students be more engaged and enthusiastic in all areas of their learning by taking them outside?
Studies show that students who experience nature as part of the educational process score higher on tests in reading, writing, and math and have demonstrated better listening skills.
Not that you need any more reasons to get outside, but here are four more reasons to take your class outside for Take Me Outside Day:
Sudbury rocks for fall hiking!
September is one of the best times of the year to get out into nature and hike!
Most of the month of September is still technically summer. While usually cooler on average than August, it’s still warm and often without the humidity. Not to mention, bugs are just a distant memory!
The Sudbury region is rich with opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature as summer winds down.
Eight provincial parks within an hour’s drive of Sudbury, six of which are open after the September long weekend. Each one has its own character and set of recreational opportunities.
Here is a selection of parks and trails to consider if you live, are staying in town, or camping in the Sudbury area this September:
It’s aster season!
Today’s post comes to us from Discovery Program Specialist Dave Sproule.
Around the middle of August, Ontario’s landscape starts to change colour. A bit of gold here, swaths of white there, and even a touch of purple in places. No, it’s not fall yet, although the odd maple tree may think so. It’s actually the “second flowering of summer,” and it lasts well into the autumn.
While many of the flowering plants in the landscape have quit for the season, the asters and goldenrods are just getting going.
Continue reading It’s aster season!