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.