| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Student | $55/year |
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $250/year |
| Supporting | $500/year |
| Sustaining | $1,000/year |
| Benefactor's Circle | $2,500/year |
| Director's Circle | $5,000/year |
| President's Circle | $10,000/year |
Featured Trail: Anishinaabe Waadiziwin / Hickory Valley Trail Loop
October 12, 2019
Anishinaabe Waadiziwin / Hickory Valley Trail Loop
Route Length: 2.4 km
Route Surface: mixed (packed earth, boardwalks, grass)
Anishinaabe Waadiziwin
Our newest Anishinaabe Waadiziwin trail starts at the back of the Nature Interpretive Centre, before hugging the North Shore of Cootes Paradise. Native plants provided indigenous peoples with almost all of life’s essentials. Starting in the Arboretum near the Nature Interpretive Centre, this new trail explores plants used by the Anishinaabe peoples, and their connections to culture, language, ecology and history.
Hickory Valley Trail
Hickory Valley Trail connects Captain Cootes Trail with the Pinetum Trail. The trail borders forest and the grassland area, offering several creek and valley views. Where the Hickory Valley Trail meets the Captain Cootes Trail, there is a great lookout over the water where you have the opportunity to spot several species of migrating waterfowl and other wildlife.
Points of Interest
Indigenous Plants Interpretive nodes
Several theme-based interpretive nodes offer traditional perspectives on plants of the area, with content by Joseph Pitawanakwat, traditional plant use educator and consultant, and Elders from Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. Reflecting the oral nature of Indigenous cultures, plant teachings are provided by audio devices at two waterside teaching areas along the trail.
FIND IT: Along the Anishinaabe waadiziwin Trail
Pine Point Lookout
Below the Lilac Dell and looking out towards Hickory Island, this is one of the few locations where White Pine dominates, evoking images of the forests that once covered the area.
FIND IT: where the trails meet (lookout 4 on the Cootes Paradise Map)
Shagbark Hickory trees
Hickory Valley trail is named after the trees that line the creek alongside the trail. Look out for their interesting bark, and the trees that turn yellow in the autumn.
FIND THEM: along the creek when walking Hickory Valley Trail.
Directions and Parking
The Anishinaabe waadiziwin / Hickory Valley Trail Loop trailhead is located at the Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Road Hamilton. Anishinaabe Waadiziwin starts to the South East of the Nature Interpretive Centre (see map).
Parking is available at the Arboretum, either in the main traffic circle or in the lot towards the road. Parking fees apply or FREE with a valid RBG Parking Pass (included in your Membership, or daily admission to the cultivated garden areas).
