LIMESTONE FARMHOUSE



NATURE AND CULTURE


The ambience of this property is enhanced by its proximity to the 80 acre lake and 800 acre conservation park bordering its perimeter. There are 10km. of nature trails in the park.

The lake has a source just north of the farm in the village of Crieff. This spring source forms Spencer Creek which flows into Valens lake. The creek then meanders down towards Dundas passing through Christie Lake and Crook's Hollow Conservation Areas. Like Niagara Falls the waters then flow over the Niagara Escarpment forming Webster's Falls in Greensville. The waters then enter the environs of The Royal Botanical Gardens flowing through Dundas and into Cootes Paradise alongside the Arboretum.




With regards to the farm there is a variety of wildlife. The deer have a number of set tracks through the property and are usually seen in groups of four or six. This is often in the early morning or early evening hours. There have been a few occasions (once last summer - when there were more than sixty in one of the fields.) Wild turkeys are often seen feeding near the woodlot and if there is any deceased prey - the Turkey Vultures appear. There are of course the raccoons, rabbits and the occasional porcupine. The wild coyotes are throughout the countryside and their communicating calls can be heard echoing across the fields at night. There is also a unique feature which only those who have lived in the country will recognize - the tree frogs. These are tiny frogs, which during favorable climatic conditions will fill the night air with a crescendo of noise. It is a sound of nature that is treasured.



The following wildlife areas, heritage centres, cultural centres and other places of educational interest are within thirty minutes of the farm.

Valens Conservation Area - Fishing and swimminglake, canoeing, protected wetlands with boardwalk, walking trails, cross country ski trails, resting area for Canada Geese, Tundra Swans and numerous other species.
Mountsberg Wildlife Centre - Extensive wetlands area forming a birdwatchers paradise. Includes the Raptor centre where there are live birds of prey presentations by expert staff. These birds of prey have usually been rescued after injury and are cared for at the Centre.
Crawford Lake - A fascinating Aboriginal Heritage Centre alongside a rare meromictic lake with itssurrounding boardwalk, nestled in denseforestry on top of the Niagara Escarpment. Watch soaring Turkey Vultures in the canyon.
Webster's Falls.- A delightful cascade over the Niagara Escarpmentof the waters from Spencer Creek. Extensive trails to explore
Guelph Lake And Elora Gorge - Part of The Grand River Conservation Authority.- almost 4000 hectare park - no motorized boating. Numerous trails, fishing, windsurfing, swimming, sailing etc.
River canoeing - available down the Speed River in Guelph and down the Grande River from Cambridge to Paris.
Cootes Paradise and Royal Botanical Gardens -nature lovers paradise - numerous trails - most extensive collection of lilac bushes in the world - excellent resource centre.
Wings of Paradise - Butterfly conservatory -excellent teaching, viewing and resource centre.(Just above Cambridge)
Westfield Heritage Pioneer Village - Kirkwall
African Lion Safari.- Rockton
Colonel John McCrae (In Flanders fields) -Heritage home and museum. (Guelph)
Canadian Warplane Museum Hamilton Airport.
Kitchener Centre in The Square with live Theatre and Kitchener Waterloo Symphony
Hamilton Place Theatre and Theatre Aquarius -Hamilton
River Run Centre - Guelph

The following are approximately one hour from the farm.

St. Jacobs Mennonite Village
Niagara Peninsular Wineries
Ontario Place and all other Toronto cultural and sporting facilities.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Blue Jays

The following are approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.

Stratford Festival Theatre -Stratford
Shaw Festival Theatre- Niagara on the Lake
Niagara Parkway and gorge accessing at Queenston.
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture
Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory ( world renowned )

Complete shopping mall and city centre facilities are accessible within thirty minutes.

Guelph
Burlington
Hamilton
Kitchener-Waterloo

Centres in Cambridge are just fifteen minutes away.

Cambridge