Saturday, September 29, 2018

Harrison Park

By about lunch the rain showers had stopped so we headed out for our weekend excursion to Harrison Park in Owen Sound.  We had a great soup and sandwich lunch in the restaurant, and I managed well in my wheelchair.  Glad to know I can comfortably handle a restaurant.

This plaque tells a bit of the story; the park was donated to the city in the early 1900's, and facilities have evolved ever since.   My grandparents lived Owen Sound and I remember bringing them to the park for a drive.

September is the month for the salmon run.  The local anglers group has done a lot of habitat improvement and promotes it for tourists.  They built the first fish Ladder in Ontario and run their own hatchery.  More details tomorrow.

This is what you see when you look down from the bridge, salmon swimming upstream in search of a place to spawn.  All the fish here have already survived the fish ladder downstream.

The most interesting feature from a historical  perspective is Owen Sound's role as one northern terminus of the underground railway.  An Emancipation Day picnic for the local black community has been held here since 1862.  This story is definitely worth a post of its own.

There's a beautiful stretch of open parkland along the river.  Most of these planted trees are donated in memory of someone.

There are a number of other interesting features, including a small campground, hiking and skiing trails, and a collection of wild bird species.  I'm sure Harrison Park will become one of our regular destinations,  with its wheelchair accessible trails  and restaurant!

We headed home after a great outing.  At one point where the highway crests a hill, a wide expanse of Georgian Bay opens out before you, at least on a sunny day like today.

20 comments:

  1. I remember that wonderful open view of Georgian Bay from my trip around the bay this summer. My ancestors pioneered the area so it was great to do the loop and follow in their footsteps.

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  2. Nice that you are able to enjoy the beauty of nature even with your restrictions.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  3. You're amazing that you can navigate so well. Keep on pushing to get to do more things.

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  4. Wayne and I have been out in our boat to try and catch a salmon before it heads to it's natal stream. We each caught one, but mine got away before we got it into the boat, and Wayne's was too small so we set it loose. Salmon are increasing in numbers in our area thanks to hatchery efforts and protection of habitat. - Margy

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  5. So nice that you can handle the restaurant now and get even more outings. I remember so many of those amazing views over the bay, from many years ago , thanks for refreshing my memory. Wish I had pictures from back then.

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  6. Facilities for wheelchair users have improved beyond recognition in the last thirty years or so. I remember being told that we couldn't enter one place with two children in chairs because they constituted a fire risk. Things gradually changed for the better through both legislation and more enlightened attitudes. And who do you think were among the leaders in this? MacDonalds! We noticed in the 1990s that their staff had been trained and were speaking directly to the young people in our care and were always helpful.
    That looks a really pleasant park to visit and photograph.

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  7. Hello, looks like a great outing and pretty park. It is great you are handling the restaurants too. Having this freedom must feel wonderful. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

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  8. You have brought back memories of the times I have visited that park with "relatives". Have seen the fish ladder and eaten in the restaurant. Keep enjoying your adventures.

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  9. What a great little park... I would love to be there and see those salmon.... NEAT!!!!

    So glad that things are doing so well for you. I'm SO proud of you... AND--give your wife a hug from me. She must be an awesome caregiver...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. You are mastering many things in such a short time. How nice that you got to Harrison Park and I'm sure you'll be back again often. Great that you had your first restaurant experience. :)

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  11. I didn't realize that salmon did their run in the fall - thought they would be doing it in spring!

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  12. Wonderful there are local parks that are wheelchair accessible. One of my jobs with the City of Portland is designing wheelchair ramps between the sidewalk and street, so I know all about making things accessible.

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  13. have you folks stayed home one day since you got back! So wonderful to see you getting out and about again.

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  14. The fall colours are starting to show.

    I know the Underground Railroad's end spots in Canada were quite varied. As I understand it, Fergus has some of that history in its development.

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  15. It is so good to hear that you are getting out and about and your being in a wheelchair has not held you back from going out.
    Good for you. : )

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  16. Nice that Harrison Park is wheelchair accessible. I find myself noticing more wheelchair things now that you are in one. Walkways, ramps, etc. Thought it unique a couple weeks ago when I saw how a couple had adapted their motorcycle's sidecar to make it wheelchair friendly.

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