The Woods, Meadow and Streams

Hanlon Creek Conservation Area extends from Preservation Park on Kortright Rd all the way southeast to Clair Rd, at the trail access just west of the high shcool. It extends from the dog park beside the Hanlon Expressway in the west to Gordon Street south of Edinburgh Rd. in the east.

The main feature is Hanlon Creek itself, a stream in remarkably good condition today, considering that development now totally surrounds the area. The creek is fed by groundwater flow from the Paris Moraine to the south of Clair Road, and the glacial outwash deposits underneath the southend suburbs. It all comes to the surface in a large perennial spring (above) just off Clairfields Drive, near the old farmhouse. Huge efforts have been made to protect this stream, including the establishment of the conservation area itself.

A westerly tributary that starts at the southwest corner, and a northerly tributary that starts in the parkland south of Stone Road contribute a lot to the water flow in the stream. Six other tiny tributaries flow from the east, the largest of these can be seen starting at the fenced in pond behind Tim Horton's at Kortright and Gordon. We know it as the stonepile stream (below), because it flows past about 5 old stonepiles, originally piled by the local farmer at the edge of his fields - which are now houses or pine plantations.


At the very northwest corner of the conservation area it flows under the Hanlon Expressway bridge, and heads down past the original Hanlon homestead to the Speed River.

A huge area of natural forest protects this stream - most of it dense cedar swamp, almost impenetrable to walk through. There are deadfalls and twisted roots and wet patches between the cedar trees. In between and around the swamp are patches of deciduous sugar maple forest like the one on your left when you come in the Preservation Park entrance off Kortright Rd. There are also patches of very mature - some would call old growth hemlock and beech, such as the area directly south of the Preservation Park entrance.

All through these forests wander the Hanlon Creek deer herd, browsing within sight of the houses around the edge, and often seen if you walk the trails in the early morning or evening.

And in four different patches are white pine plantations, planted about 25 years ago in former farm fields. Now 40 - 50 feet high, these forests are also frequented by the deer, as is the large meadow in the middle of the conservation area.

All in all, a remarkably diverse natural area in the middle of the city. And incredible variety for viewing as you walk the trails.

Hanlon Creek Journal

Every day I'm amazed at the wilderness of Hanlon Creek Conservation Area inside the City of Guelph. Nearly 300 acres in size, and now totally surrounded by houses or businesses, Hanlon Creek is a beautiful piece of nature, with acres of deep cedar swamp, numerous creeks including Hanlon Creek itself, and a large deer herd.

I walk the trails daily, see some of the deer almost daily, and love to explore the back corners of the swamp. The trail network is awesome (except for rainy days and spring-time, when there are lots of muddy patches). There is a big meadow, white and red pine plantations, three large areas of deciduous forest, and mixed forest with some very old hemlock, as well as the swamp itself - almost impenetrable in places.

The main stream of Hanlon Creek starts at a perennial spring at the south end of the conservation area, just west of Clairfields Drive, and flows through the swamp all the way to the northwest corner to 'til it leaves, under the Hanlon Expressway. It is fed in turn by two major tributaries from the north and the southwest, as well as at least 6 minor creeks that flow mostly from the east.

The story of Hanlon Creek is a fascinating and successful story of conservation, providing what is today an incredible natural area inside the city.