Niagara

1:00pm St. Patrick's Day Family Hike

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps): Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site – 1860 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON

Hike Leader(s): Faye Perkins Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 7 km

Description

The ‘green’ of St. Patrick’s Day reminds us of the Emerald Isle of Ireland, that spring is nearly here, and the importance of nature around us.  Lucky us, to have the beauty of the Bruce Trail connected to the Glendridge Quarry Naturalization geosite and the work of the Niagara GeoPark that seamlessly connects our urban and natural environments.  Come join us for a hike through this central geosite  and along the Escarpment to Hydro Hill, and then back through the Brock Univeristy campus.    The hike is organized for different abilities, and will provide parents and others the opportunity to adapt the hike to their physical needs.  Listening to music from Ireland prior to the hike is recommended.  Wear something green to welcome spring!

09:15 Short Hike - Short Hills Park, Pelham Rd

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Short Hills Provincial Park, Pelham Rd. St. Catharines

Hike Leader(s): Debbie Demizio Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: ~ 6kms

Description

Hike the main and side trails of Short Hills Provincial Park. Bring hiking boots, icers and water. Last chance to log a hike to qualify for the Winter hiking badge. See website for details. https://niagarabrucetrail.club/badges/

8:30 Merritt Trail Hike Series #3

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Car Pool
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the Parking Lot at Port Dalhousie Parking Lot and Car pool to Book Depot , 67 Front St North Thorold, 43.128058, -79.202189

Hike Leader(s): Sam Rutherford Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 15k

Description

Hike from Thorold on mainly paved trails to Port Dalhousie. Bring snacks and a drink .

Earn the Merritt Trail badge for all 3 hikes. Badge Presentation after the hike $10 per badge

9:00 am Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Veterans Memorial Park, park just outside the park on King Street

Hike Leader(s): Robin Garrett Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6-7 km

Description

Each Friday we will explore different neighbourhoods, trails and parkland throughout Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Moderate pace with some weeks entirely on sidewalks and roads while others may include a mix of trails and paved pathways. Great way to build up endurance for longer more strenuous hikes.

Prepare for cooler windy conditions on open parkland and along Lake Ontario and Niagara River trails.

Plan to stay for conversation and a warm cup of coffee or tea at Sweets & Swirls, Community Centre, Niagara Stone Road, NOTL

9:00 Black History in NOTL: In Honour of Chloe Cooley

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps):

General Brock Side Trail Parking Area- on Niagara River Parkway, east of the John St. E intersection

Hike Leader(s): Karen Couch Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 16 kms

Description

On March 14, 1793 Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman living in Queenston, strongly resisted as she was bound, thrown in a boat and taken across the river to a new enslaver in the United States. On 21 MAR, 1793, two men testified to her capture at the Executive Council of Upper Canada (at Navy Hall). Her brave act of resistance led to the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery, the first of its kind in the British Empire. This paved the way to freedom for so many others like Chloe & set the stage for the great freedom movement of enslaved African Americans to Canada.

Participants will walk along the Niagara Parkway to a plaque that marks the place where this incident may have place, then return along the same route with a stop at Navy Hall, the site where Executive Council met.

Open the link below to view the Chloe Cooley Heritage Minute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLPMlNSQjOg

*This hike counts as 1 of 3 required hikes towards the Black History badge. If you have met the requirements, and are interested in a badge, please remember to bring $10.*

PLEASE NOTE: Hikes are offered by BTC volunteers who have committed to their own learning, to be able to offer informative and contemplative hike experiences. These hikes are open to all & offered in a spirit of mutual leaning and inclusion.

9:00 am Hydro Hill Training

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps):

Lockhart Drive, St Catharines, by the large yellow swing gate.

Hike Leader(s): Suzanne Gourluck Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Strenuous
Distance: 6 kms

Description

This challenging “hike” is intended for those wishing to train for future challenging hikes. Choose your own pace to go up and down the moderately steep hill for 90 minutes with a brief flat walk partway through. The terrain is a hard packed gravel surface. Bring water, hiking poles, snack and dress for the weather.