Beacon Hill Park walk (new route!)

Last year, we skipped our regular walk at Beacon Hill Park as we wanted to explore some different trails. But we can't go 2 years in a row without returning to Beacon Hill Park, especially in the spring. On Sat Apr 11th, we'll return to this wonderful park, and I have a new route for us that concentrates more on the interior of the park and the beautiful flora and fauna within.

We'll start at the main parking lot on Circle Drive, and head straight down Park Way, making a beeline for Goodacre Lake. There are many variety of flowers along this path, birds and squirrels too, and with any luck, the turtles will be sunning themselves on their favorite Goodacre log. After we've traversed about half of the perimeter of the lake, we'll take a short detour to encircle Fountain Lake, seeing which of the Rhodo's and Magnolia's have bloomed, and then complete our circumnavigation of Goodacre Lake. At Bridge Way, we'll head towards downtown for a while before looping around and walking down a gravel trail that takes us through a Garry Oak meadow. A loop around the soccer fields will see us walking the chip trail beside Heywood Avenue. Halfway along past the cricket field, turn right and head up the south end of Bridge Way. Keep going straight when you get to the washrooms, past the kids play area, and then enjoy the stately trees along Chestnut Row, which borders the 18-hole putting green. Now we're back at Circle Drive, but we're not done yet. We still have to do a short loop around Rose Lake, which is where some of the most colorful flower beds are. Finally, we'll pass by the Petting Zoo - be sure to say "hi" to the goats - before completing our walk back at the main parking lot.

This is a compact 3.33 km walk. Look for my markers so you can take it at your own pace, and not have to worry about either outpacing or slowing down the group.

Remember, Beacon Hill Park is an on-leash park. I've seen dogs running around off-leash, so it does happen. However, I can't really say that I know what leash enforcement is like, so my recommendation is to keep your pup on leash.

And, oh, those loud crowing, wailing sounds ... those are the peacocks ... and if you want them to show their feathers, just ask them. They're usually pretty co-operative. (Ha, ha.)