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Ken Reid Conservation Area
You could say Ken Reid is my most favorite park in Ontario. Why? Because I was born there. Not quite. Actually I was born in the Lindsay hospital. But I grew up south of Cameron and as a young teenager I would quite often go for hikes down the railroad tracks across the bridge and into what is now Ken Reid Conservation Area.
When I was young 12-13 years old Ken Reid was not yet a park. It wasn't untill 1980 that the land was purchesed from Ken Reid by the Kawartha Conservation Authority. But to me it was my healing place. When I was down or feeling blue about school, fighting with my sister, or parents I would go for a hike to Ken Reid. At this time it was normal not to see a single human being while there. But the marsh was teaming with wildlife.
One of the reasons I love Ken Reid so much is because of the variety of birds that find their homes there. Osprey are numerous here. You can see several nesting sites, both from the lookout and the bridge area. Ducks in the spring and fall are also numerous. Red Wing Black Birds can be heard from the cat tails all summer long.
Ken Reid offers several loop trails that lead through forests, meadows and wetlands. A favourite route includes the floating boardwalk that winds through the provincially significant MacLaren Creek Wetland bordering Sturgeon Lake. During the summer months you can spot red bellied snakes, snapping turtles and leopard frogs here. Visitors pausing at the observation deck further along the trail may watch the osprey on the nearby nesting platform.
Ken Reid also has a beach and a playground area for children of all ages. This is a great place for a picnic. Kids can play on the playground equipment while parents unwind with a beautiful view of Sturgeon lake.
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