Exploring Southern Ontario’s Native Trees, Whenever You Please!
LEAF and the Town of Richmond Hill are thrilled to launch this self-guided tree tour, showcasing the native tree species located in the beautiful Lake Wilcox Park.
Lake Wilcox Park is located on the eastern shorelines of Lake Wilcox, the largest lake on the Oak Ridges Moraine. The park is home to a variety of wildlife and plants. It’s also a great place for the community to participate in fun activities, including a newly launched self-guided tree tour!
On Tuesday, September 25th, during National Forest Week, experts from LEAF and the Town of Richmond Hill led a guided tour, highlighting a selection of the native trees in the park. Discussion centred on the benefits of trees and the challenges they face within an urban environment. Twenty hearty locals braved the dreary weather to learn from urban forestry and water quality experts about the unique features of Lake Wilcox Park. It was fascinating to learn about the mature trees that pre-date the park, like the sugar maples that lined the driveway to the farm that once stood there, majestic white pines and a cluster of massive red oaks.
Download the Lake Wilcox Park Self-Guided Tree Tour map before you hit the trails. We hope the guide will make your walk that much more enjoyable and educational as you explore this wonderful park and its native tree species.
We’d love to hear from you if you take the tour. Tag us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tell us about your experience exploring the trees in Lake Wilcox Park (photos encouraged!).
Many thanks to the Town of Richmond Hill and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for making this possible.
Erin MacDonald is the Community Programs Manager at LEAF.