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.