Sustainable Orillia is pleased to announce an upcoming ‘Urban Walk’—one with a difference! On Saturday, September 30th, join Rama Elder Mark Douglas and Urban Planner David Stinson on one of two fascinating walks that combine contemporary urban-planning principles with significant local history—Urban Walks with a twist that have relevance for us all.
Mark and David will lead participants through the area near the Traditional Gathering Place used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
Over the past few decades, this area around the remains of the oldest example of a fish weir in North America has been developed. Parts of the Mnjikaning 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.
Two 90- to 120-minute Sustainable Orillia Urban Walk are scheduled. The first starts at 9:30 am. and the second will get underway at 2:00 p.m. Both will depart from Bridge Street; the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs Historical Site.
Sustainable Orillia’s 2022 Urban Walks have proven to be popular events, combining outdoor activity with learning more about where we live and what decisions–good and bad—were made along the way in the development of this area of our city.
The event is free and group size is limited to 25. Please register by clicking below to confirm your participation for this intriguing next edition of Sustainable Orillia’s Urban Walk program.
To get there – take Atherley Road east – cross the Atherley Bridge at the Narrows and make an immediate right turn onto Queen Street at the end of the bridge (before Tim Horton’s and Creighton Street). Make an immediate right again, onto Bridge Street. There is parking along Bridge Street on the right-hand side and also to the left of the building you’ll see immediately ahead.
Look for the Sustainable Orillia banner when you arrive.
Click here to register for one of these walks.
