Organic Vegetable Community Gardens
- at Willow Park Community Garden Beds
- sponsored by Evergreen Foundation


Watching It Grow
June 10, 1-3pm
Individuals, families and groups are invited to join in for practical, physical and social experiences in gardening basics that can have immediate positive impact on the natural environment. Includes; natural pest control, late plantings, managing weeds and water resources.


Organic Vegetable Community Gardens
Early Harvest -August 19, 1-3pm
Follow the progression of the gardens from field-to-table. Great chance to get children started in understanding where their food comes from and how we depend on the environment. Active living that enhances the health of the environment while improving yours. Includes; early harvest, fall plantings, transplanting, theme gardens.


Putting It To Bed
October 21, 1-3pm
Season closing will continue to set up adults and children with the “tools” and skills they need to grow and harvest vegetables in their own yard. Includes; Harvest Celebration, cover crops, soil amendment, using your vegetables in recipes.


Butterfly Garden Club
- at Willow Park Butterfly Garden
- sponsored by WPESC Committee

Learn About Butterflies
June 24, 9:30-12pm
From what caterpillar becomes which butterfly, to their food and the flowers they like. Volunteers make the garden a success. If you have anything to share or would like to help out, we would love to hear from you! A great chance for practical gardening and outdoor family recreation with volunteer run crafts. Instil excitement in children about plants, animals and how we all depend on the environment!


Exploring Butterfly Habitats
July 15, 9:30-12pm
Fun for children and adults alike to see how plants and animals depend on each other and on the environment. Explore and enhance butterfly habitats and populations by planting, managing, walking and observing the gardens. Theme events with volunteer run crafts and making cool stuff.


Winter and Butterflies
September 16, 9:30-12pm
Adults, families and groups are invited to join in the Butterfly Garden Project and Club. See and learn how butterflies avoid freezing while you help to ensure that their habitat is suitable for their over-wintering needs as eggs, larvae or adults. Volunteer run handicrafts planned.

Summer 2007
Willow Park Ecology Stewardship Projects 2007

To ensure the park’s ecology theme continues to give us unique educational and recreational opportunities, the WPESC volunteers are committed to overseeing the projects listed below.

Do these “spark your interest”? Let us know and have fun helping out.

WPESC 2007 Projects

1. Bird Habitat Enhancement
2. Butterfly Garden Habitat
3. Compost Demonstration
4. Community Gardens
5. Earthday Recognition
6. Habitat Enhancement by Invasive Species Removal
7. Interpretive Gardens (Pavilion)
8. Tree replacement Plantings (especially riverbank)
9. Wetland Habitat (incl. turtle nesting sites, shoreline plantings, etc.)
10. Xeroscape -low water habitat-Garden (Entrance)



This Park has been a success through the great volunteer base and local resource contributions.

Willow Park Ecology Stewardship Committee (WPESC) is seeking more community partners – individuals and groups for a number of projects.

To help out with projects or come out to events, please register at:

905 702-9055
www.willowparkecology.com
Located at Mary St & Hwy 7 in Norval

The new Willow Park Ecology Stewardship Committee (WPESC)…

2007 Events and Projects

In 2007 –volunteers- continue to help the Town of Halton Hills manage Willow Park (Ecology Centre). The Stewardship Committee has committed to overseeing preservation of habitat features which make the Park a unique ecotourist attraction. This will occur through volunteer events, community donations and an Evergreen Foundation grant.

Contact Us:
905-702-9055
wpec@willowparkecology.com

2005 Events!

Picture Perfect at Willow Park
Take a walk through Willow Park and snap the perfect picture; you may be the winner of our second annual photography contest here at Willow Park. Categories include: Flora, Fauna and Friends of Willow Park. Entries are limited to one photo per category and must be submitted by Friday, August 17, 2005. Submissions will be displayed for judging at the 5th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 20, 2005. Official contest rules.

Submissions can be sent to:
Picture Perfect at Willow Park
115 Main St. South
Georgetown, ON, L7G 3E5


Hands On Willow Park
Date: 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month
June through September
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Much of the care of the park is volunteer based and if it wasn't for volunteers the park would not be possible. You are invited to come and volunteer your time. Meet new people; have fun learning and being outside. Willow Park is a great place for high school students to complete their volunteer and community involvement requirement for their diploma. It is fun and easy to participate in a weekend event or help out a few hours at a time in the park.


"Artists @ Play" in Willow Park
Date: Sundays, June 5 to October 15
Time: 10 am - 3 pm

Willow Park will be hosting a weekly "Artists @ Play". It's a great site to create outdoor "Plein Air" art. Bring your own supplies and equipment (paints, pens, cameras, etc.), and meet at the Interpretive Centre to enjoy your favourite portable art form. This is a chance to meet, create, and share your work with other artists in our community. Stay as long as you want.!
So come -- bring friends and family -- or join us to make new friends.


Kids @ Play
Date: July 7 & Aug 31
Time: 10am -- 2 pm
Cost: $15
Ages: 5 & up
Pre-Registration required!

Want some time off? Plan to have your children spend a fun yet informative day with us! Pack a litterless lunch and bring your children to Willow Park for a great day of games, hands-on activities, and making cool stuff! Please make sure children are dressed appropriately, and have on a hat and sunscreen; insect repellent is recommended. Children must be toilet-trained to participate.


After Dark at Willow Park
Date: July 20 & Aug 18
Time: 7:30 pm -- 9:30 pm
Open to All Ages
Pre-Registration required!
Cost: Donations welcome
Presenter: Teresa Rigg

Curious about what creatures are out and about during the night? Experience Willow Park after the sun goes down. See and learn about the bats, owls and the other nocturnal creatures found in the park . Learn about the wetland and all the frogs and insects that call it home. Please remember to dress appropriately; long sleeves, pants and insect repellent are highly recommended.


Naturalization Workshop
Date: Saturday, July 16
Time: 10 am -- 2 pm
Location: Norval United Church & Willow Park
Pre-Registration required!
Cost: $25
Morning refreshments and lunch included!

Would you like to grow in the area of environmental responsibility in your own yard? You are invited to learn from experts as they teach you about interesting and informative topics that will make you look like a pro!

The topics covered will be:
Drought resistant plants
Composting
Organic lawn/garden care
Native Species use in gardening


5th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day
Date: Saturday August 20
Time: 4:00 - 8:00 pm
On this day Willow Park takes the opportunity to thank all of the hard working volunteers who have donated their time to improving the park. All volunteers are welcome to come out and enjoy activities, a BBQ, and an awards ceremony to honour volunteers who have exceeded our expectations and deserve our personal thanks.


International Migratory Bird Day
Date: October 1
Time: 11 am - 2 pm
This is a great time to view many of the birds before they migrate for the winter. Learn about feeding winter birds, migration related issues, and much more! There will be a speaker, an informative tour of the park for beginner bird watchers, activities for children. Refreshments will be provided, be sure to bring a lunch, and join us!


Falling Leaves Festival
Date: October 15
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Come and join in activities such as pumpkin carving, rock painting, Toad House building and much more. Help celebrate the coming of winter by joining us as we put the park to bed for the season. This is a great opportunity for high school students to gain volunteer hours.
Rain Date: October 16th

2004 Events

Ecological Footprinting:
Date: Mon. June 21, 2004
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Donations Welcome
Presenter: Kasey Livingston

How much do YOU impact the environment?
Join us for a workshop put on by the Caledon Countryside Alliance to talk about consumerism and the environment. Calculate your family's impact on the Earth. Find out ways you can improve your ecological footprint!


Willow Park After Dark
Date: Mon. July 26, 2004
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Donations Welcome
Presenter: Teresa Rigg

Experience Willow Park after the sun goes down and learn about the bats, owls, and other nocturnal creatures found in the park after dark. Learn about Willow Park's constructed wetland and all the frogs and toads that call it home.

Please remember to dress appropriately; long sleeves and insect repellent are highly recommended.


Parents Day Off
Date: Mon. August 16, 2004
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Register by: Friday August 13, 2004
Cost: $ 2 / child

Want a day off to enjoy the summer sun? Pack a lunch and bring the kids down to Willow Park for a fun filled day of games and crafts. Please note that a parent must remain in the park while their children participate in Parents Day Off activities.


Fall into Gardening
Date: Sat. September 11, 2004
Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon
Cost: Donations Welcome
Presenter: Belinda Gallagher

You may be gearing up for fall but your garden is gearing down. Come out to learn about gardening in the fall: putting plants to bed, lawn care techniques, and planting for the spring.


4th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Day
Date: Sat. August 21, 2004
Time: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

This is Willow Park's opportunity to thank all of the generous volunteers who have donated their time to improving the park. All volunteers are welcome to come out and enjoy activities, a BBQ and an awards ceremony to honour volunteers who have exceeded our expectations and deserve our personal thanks.