Community members put up the ribbons and signs to spread the word about the project in hopes to save the small natural area in their backyard.Ĭolourful ribbons mark the trees that would be cut down due to the project. Over 250 trees will be cleared in order to build a retaining wall in the ravine. Local residents are responsible for the signs and ribbons in protest of the retaining wall that might be built in the area. A sign on a tree at either end of the park will tell you that these mark the trees that are at risk of being cut down due to a potential Metrolinx expansion that's said to begin in 2021. There are also colourful ribbons around a lot of the trees in the area. Just like at Williamson Park, a boardwalk leads into the forest trail. Here, you’ll find a good-sized dog park and pretty forest, as well as more creek views and wooden staircases and boardwalk. There's a large open dog park at the top of Merrill Bridge Park. You'll have to make your way over on the street as the two ravines are disconnected by train tracks. Just head up to Woodbine Avenue to get to the other side of the tracks. Merrill Bridge Park is a great add-on, located just a 10-minute walk away. The park is an environmentally significant area meaning it provides habitats for rare and vulnerable plants and animals. Since the hike through the ravine is a bit on the shorter side, it's a good idea to continue your hike through another park within the Small's Creek ravine system. The rustic pathway follows alongside the creek for the entire duration of the walk. Wooden planks have been laid down between the ravine slopes beside the creek so that visitors can make their way through the area. The partially buried Small's Creek is covered in moss and snow around this time of year. Just be careful where you step while at Williamson Park as it can be tricky to tell where the river begins and ends, especially when covered in snow. It's visible at certain times of the year at the four ravines throughout this area, though. Wooden planks and makeshift boardwalks have been laid down throughout the ravine making it easier to navigate. Several sections are very steep to the point where there are groves and score lines on the pavement for traction and water run-off.The creek is one of many streams that once flowed through the city, but due to development was entirely or partially buried underground. The length and difficulty ratings and the elevation map are all based on doing the outer loop, but some of the steepest sections are on the inside of the loop.Įven though these trails are paved, they may not be suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchairs. I couldn't actually see the waterfall, just hear it and it sounded like a trickle. There is an overlook and waterfall, but neither are too impressive. There's no right or wrong way to hike these trails, so I'm not going to provide navigation beyond this.

4 mile section on the north side of the Ravine Loop that is small gravel, so is still easily traveled. The Beech Tree and Ravine trails are paved except for a. The Woodland Trail is the only trail that is not paved at all. With it's own internal connector trail, all three trails combined make many different loop options available. On the far end of the Ravine Loop is the Woodland trail attaching at two points. These trails combined make a double loop. 2 miles further you'll come to the Beech Tree trail, which connects to the other side of the Ravine Loop. If you instead continue on the West Meadow trail less than. The Ravine Loop is a lollipop loop with this connecting 'stick' leading to a loop. 2 miles you'll come to the Ravine Loop on the left, heading out of the sun and into the woods. Stay left at the loop intersection and within. This immediately connects to the West Meadow loop trail, which we'll be taking to access the rest of the trails. At the end of the parking lot, take the trail that heads to the left between the park map and the pavilion, across from the restrooms. A mix of paved, dirt, and gravel trails, the Ravine Loop, Woodland, and Beech Tree trails can be used to form a 3.3 mile loop or several shorter routes depending on which direction you take.īegin this hike by parking at the Fence Road entrance. Navigate a small network of trails on the south side of Little Mulberry Park while exploring around a ravine and a couple of creeks. Little Mulberry Ravine, Woodland, and Beech Tree Loop

Rottenwood creek revine map