Guided Walks in Ferris – Starting May 3, 2022
The guided walks are for photographers too. The Ranney Falls and the Ranney Gorge trails offer 6 unique locations for up close and personal views of the Trent River, the Gorge and the Falls. These vantage points are exclusive to Ferris Provincial Park!
By participating in the weekly guided walks you can experience, first-hand, all the features, natural and otherwise, within walking distance of town. Perhaps when you see all that is happening, right in your own backyard, you will be inspired to become engaged as a member or as a volunteer.
Guided Walks – First walk Tuesday May 3th 2022
WHEN: Every Tuesday morning – 9 am – May 3 to Dec 6, 2022 ~ Rain or shine
WHERE: We meet at the east end of the Suspension Bridge.
You can drive in from Cty. Rd. 8, park at the Gate House and walk to the Suspension Bridge (approx. a 20 min. walk); or park in the Day Use Parking Lot – Day Use fees apply when using this entrance.
Guided Walk sessions offer opportunities to be immersed in nature….now called “nature bathing”. No other neighbouring community is as fortunate to have such a beautiful Provincial Park! Each week we travel a different combination of the many, well maintained trails throughout the park. The walks, led by a Friend of Ferris volunteer, are geared toward the abilities of those participating on that day.
Join us and enjoy the experience – naturally!
When the Guided Walks were initiated in 2010, the purpose was to encourage the community to visit the park and to get some fresh air and exercise while enjoying nature. The “walks” would have a fitness component as well as to see the improvements that had taken place thanks to Ontario Parks and the Friends of Ferris volunteers; such as the two Chimney Swift Towers, the trail improvements both widening and mulching, and progress on the Dry Stone Wall Restoration project.
Before long it became apparent that people who attended were more interested in the spring wild flowers, tree identification clusters and not getting lost! Regulars became more familiar with the trails because of the three trail head signs in the Day Use Parking Lot, the availability of the trail maps in the 5 map dispensers, the flower and fungi pamphlets and the Ferris Provincial Park Tabloids in the kiosks. Visitors were comforted by several “You are Here” signs thanks to the Kinette’s of Campbellford. Walkers are reminded of the swings and slides at the playground and learn about the newly installed beach volleyball site, kayak and fishing supplies rentals, and 20 electrical sites for campers.
The educational and historical aspects of the Park are reinforced often. Several signs have been installed, thanks to Ontario Parks and volunteers, identifying the historic Sheep Wash, the lineage of the Ferris Family and the history of the Dry Stone Walls. Two new signs installed in 2015, tell the stories of the Rannie family and the Grills family and their respective descendants. These signs are a tribute to these early settlers and recognize their pioneering efforts. Highlighting this human history has prompted the Friends of Ferris to create a compilation of Memories of Ferris Park. The community and campers are invited to submit memories of experiences in the Park. These will be posted on our web site and also kept in hard copy in a three ringed binder in the Park Office. Contact us at: info@friendsofferris.ca
