Walk This Way
By Fred Larsen – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
Sustainable Orillia is pleased to announce an upcoming Urban Walk—one with a difference. Saturday, September 30, join Rama Elder Mark Douglas and urban planner David Stinson for one of two fascinating walks that combine urban-planning principles with significant local history.
Mark and David will lead participants through the area near the Traditional Gathering Place used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. This area has been developed over the last few decades and is close to the remains of the oldest example of a fish weir in North America, the Mnjikaning Fish Weir. Parts of the fish weir date back over 5,000 years, older than some of the Egyptian Pyramids. They hold cultural significance for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, along with many other communities who hold this as a special place.
This is an opportunity for families, friends, students and individuals to enjoy the fall outdoors while learning about the importance of culturally and environmentally significant places in the building of community.
The first of the two 90 to 120 minute walks starts at 9:30 a.m. and the second will get underway at 2 p.m. Both will depart from Bridge Street, the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs Historical Site.
To join the walk, take Atherley Road east. Cross the Atherley bridge at the Narrows and make an immediate right onto Queen Street at the end of the bridge (before Tim Hortons and Creighton Street). Make an immediate right again onto Bridge Street. There is parking along Bridge Street on the right-hand side and left of the building you’ll see immediately ahead. Look for the Sustainable Orillia banner when you arrive.
Sustainable Orillia’s 2022 Urban Walks have proven to be popular events, combining outdoor activity with the opportunity to learn more about where we live and what decisions –good and bad – were made along the way in the development of our city.
The event is free, but group size is limited to 25. Please register to confirm your participation.
(Images Supplied)
