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Explore The Park
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Flora and Fauna
Much of the area was once used for agriculture, but most of the park's land is regaining its natural cover of trees and plants typical of the deciduous forest region. Species common to prairie areas and the Carolinian forest are also found in the park.
Most small mammals common to southern Ontario live in the park, as well as some larger species -- White Tailed Deer, Red Fox, Coyote and Raccoon. Birds in the park include the Northern Mockingbird, Northern Shrike, Blue Jay, Blackbird, Red-Tailed Hawk and several kinds of sparrows, as well as the occasional Pileated Woodpecker and Red-Headed Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Turkey Vulture and both Snowy Owl and Short-Eared Owl. As many as 20 species of amphibians and reptiles also make their home around Bronte Creek. More than 70 species of moths and butterflies have been identified in the park, as well as another 125 species of insects, including a rare Katydid.
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Dog Tooth Violet
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The History of Bronte Creek
The Ministry of Natural Resources established Bronte Creek Provincial Park in 1972. However, it did not open its gates to the public until 1975. The Park is classified as a recreational park and offers a day-use area and a campground, which opened in July 2001. Bronte Creek receives over 250,000 visitors each year and with the opening of the campground, the park has become even more popular.
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The park consists of over 10km of multi-purpose trails, 11 picnic shelters, a turn-of-the-century living history museum (Spruce Lane Farmhouse), nature centre, 144 electric service campsites, children's playbarn, 1.8 acre pool, Olympic size skating rink and a farm.
The park itself is 684 hectares (1690 acres) in size, which makes it as large as Central Park in New York City. The park is divide by the Creek known as Bronte Creek or 12-Mile Creek. The creek valley was carved by the water of melting glaciers approximately 14, 000 years ago. Water rushed towards Lake Ontario and cut through the shale of what is now the park, leaving the large valley and creek.
It is believed that as early as 5000 BC people of the Archaic period lived in what is now Bronte Creek Provincial Park. After a period of struggle between the French and English, the Mississauga tribe occupied the area on a reserve until 1820.
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Ravine Lookout Area
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Settlers used the creek for fishing and to power saw mills and factories. Most of the area was used for its lush soil and level land. In the mid 1800's the land was used for agriculture including; logging, apple farming, grape vineyards, pear farming and housing. The original homesteads are used by the Park as an office buildings, museum and educational facilities. Spruce Lane Farmhouse (1899) and Silvercreek house (mid to late 1800's) were both owned by the Breckon family. The Breckon family made their living as apple farmers. Evidence is still in the Park, as there are a number of apple and pear trees and vineyards in the vicinity of Spruce Lane Farm. As well, there are still a number of silos standing in the park that are more than 100 years old. The Children's Farm, Nature Centre, Tyrell house, Spruce Lane Farmhouse, Silvercreek house, Park Office and Spruce Lane Farm were all built between 1850 and 1899.
Today, the Spruce Lane Farmhouse offers educational programs to school groups, as well as a taste of history to visitors, with special events. Spruce Lane Farm house is the focus of the Maple Syrup Festival offered each year in March.
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The Nature Centre and Children' s Farm are open to the public for fun and education. The Nature Centre is full of aquariums, terrariums and information on local reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and insects. Included in the Nature Centre is a live observational beehive. Educational programs and special events are also offered at the Nature Centre. Special events include: Coyote Howl walks, Owl Prowl hikes and more. Next to the Nature Centre is the most popular year round attraction, the Children's Farm. A 150-year-old barn has been transformed into a huge children's play loft for climbing, jumping and having fun. Below the play loft are stall that are home to a variety of barnyard animals. Other animals for people to see at Bronte Creek Provincial Park can include; rabbits, pigs, cows, chickens, roosters, and peacocks. About 40 hectares of fields are sowed and harvested with wheat, oats, soy and more. There is farm staff on hand to care for, feed, breed and clean all barnyard animals and their homes.
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The Recreation Complex is the home of one of the largest outdoor pools in Canada. The pool is 1.8 acres (.72 ha) in size and holds nearly 2 million gallons (5.8 million litres) of water. The pool is operational July 1 - Labour Day each year, weather permitting. The Recreation Complex also has an Olympic size outdoor skating rink that is naturally as well as artificially cooled. The rink generally operates from mid-December - end of February each year. The Recreation complex also offers basketball courts, a rollerblading nature trail, volleyball court and tennis courts.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park consists of one of the largest Carolinian forests in Canada, as well as a vast diversity of other deciduous and coniferous trees. Wildflowers grow rampant in the park, especially the Provincial flower, the trillium. During the spring, mainly early May, trilliums grow thick like carpet on the forest floor, especially on the Trillium trail. Small Ontario mammals as well as large mammals including: white tailed deer, red foxes, coyotes, and raccoons call Bronte Creek Provincial Park home. Common birds found in the Park include: Blue Jays, Red-tailed Hawks, Pileated Woodpecker, Indigo Buntings and Eastern Bluebirds, Turkey Vultures, and Northern Mockingbirds. As many as 20 species of amphibians and reptiles make their homes in Bronte Creek Provincial Park. In excess 70 species of moths and butterflies and 125 insects have been identified at Bronte Creek, including the rare katydid.
Not only is Bronte Creek Provincial Park natural and educational, it is literally the oasis to more than five million people in the Greater Toronto area. With all of the recent development in Halton and surrounding area, urbanization is making the Park more valuable each day.
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Hours of operation and Park Fees
The following dates and hours may change without notice. Please call ahead to confirm.
SUMMER Hours: (June 14, 2008 - September 1, 2008)
Day-use area: 8am - Dusk (10:00 pm in July and August)
Pool:
June 28th, 2008 - September 1, 2008
11:00 - 6:00 daily weather permitting.
Playbarn and Farm:
Daily year round 9am - 4pm
Extended hours July and August 9am - 6pm
Nature Centre:
Weekends in May and June 12-4
Open daily July and August 10 - 6
Spruce Lane Farm:
Weekends May 31 - June 27: 12 noon - 4
Open Daily July and August 11 - 6
Park store:
June 28th - September 1, 2008
11:00 - 6:00 daily
Walking trails: 8am - Dusk
Campground: OPEN for camping season.
Park Office: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 (closed on Holidays).
Park Fees Per Vehicle:
Daily Vehicle Rates to the Bronte Creek Day use area is:
Regular $13.85
Senior $11.05
Disabled $6.90
Pool fees: Daily per person. Payable at the Pool Gate.
Adult $2.95
Child $1.95
Children 3 and under free
Seasonal day-use passes are available for the following rates:
Winter $59.40
Summer $89.15
Annual $128.75
Campground fees per night are:
Regular $30.20 - $34.40
Senior $24.15 - $27.50
Disabled $15.10 - $17.20
Camping season: April 4, 2008 to October 26, 2008
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