Mom deserves a celebration as special and unique as they are! Conservation Halton is proud to offer a number of ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life with events and programs set in the beauty of our parks. If Mom’s perfect day includes being outdoors, treat her to Mother’s Day with Mother, Nature (Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, 10am-2pm). Conservation Halton Parks provide plenty of places where families of all kinds can celebrate Mom surrounded by springtime scenery.
Check out some of our ideas for Mother’s Day, and a few extra special offerings that will make any mom beam with delight.
Mother, Nature Highlights
- “Chair-ish” Mom with a scenic chairlift ride at Kelso Conservation Area
- Build-a-Decorative Treasures Box at Mountsberg Conservation Area
- Candle making at Mountsberg Conservation Area
- Wildflower Walk at Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Pick a park below for details on our special event offerings and suggestions to book a unique and memorable Mother’s Day celebration!
“Chair-ish” Mom
Give Mom a lift this Mothers Day with a scenic chairlift ride up the Niagara escarpment! Savour the moment by grabbing some refreshments and taking a chairlift ride to the top of the escarpment to sit and sip while taking in the beautiful views and fresh spring air. Once at the top, take advantage of Muskoka Chairs with a viewor step out on the trails for a hike with Mom! Don’t forget to grab Mother’s Day refreshments available for purchase at the West Lodge prior to your ride up!
Pricing: $10 per person + Gate fee (does not include refreshments)
Note: Tickets are valid for 2 trips, in any combination of up or down. Children must be 3 feet tall and able to sit on their own. Dogs are not permitted on chairlift.
Challenge Course
Take your adventurous mom to the top with our high ropes challenge or climbing wall! ” Add this to your reservation at time of booking. Learn more about the challenge course here.
Other Suggested Ideas…
- Hike to Scenic Lookouts:
- Lookouts 1 & 2 – Start from the top of the chairlift. Hike to scenic viewpoints along the escarpment edge. 1.4 km round trip (40 min) (moderate hike). Follow the markers.
- Picnic:
- Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and enjoy some quality time at one of our scenic spots.
- Just a stroll in the park:
- Take a walk along our beachfront boardwalk
- Have a ball:
- Bring your family’s favourite lawn games like Bocce Ball, Spike Ball, or Frisbee and challenge Mom to some fun!
Build a Decorative Treasures Box Workshop
Come roll up your sleeves and build your own Decorative Treasures Box just for Mom! It’s perfect to plant a flower or herb, store pens on mom’s desk, keys in the front hallway, or other special trinkets – and most importantly, it will always remind you and your mom of your special day at Mountsberg! We’ll supply the materials and provide guidance and you do the rest! Mother’s Day refreshments and treats available for purchase on site.
Location: RJ Kelly Pavilion (located in the Sugarbush)
Pricing: $12 per box + Gate fee per person
Note: Decorative Treasures Box dimensions are 5” by 5”
Mother’s Day Candle Making Workshop
Celebrate your queen bee with this very unique crafting experience! Join our beekeeper to chat all things honeybees and make your own dipped beeswax candle to take home. After you’re finished, take a walk to the bee yard to see the bees in the observation hive.
Location: In the Evaporator Room.
Pricing: $8 +HST per person + Gate Fee
Other Suggested Ideas…
- Hike to Scenic Lookouts:
- The Lookout Tower – A 360-degree view taking in the reservoir where you can look for migratory waterfowl.
- B-line to the Barn:
- Visit the barn and hang out with our furry friends including rabbits, goats, sheep, donkeys, and more! Be sure to meet our newest additions – the amazing duo of Belgian horses, Barney & Rex!
- Bird is the word:
- Drop in on your feathered friends at the Raptor Centre!
- Picnic:
- Pack a picnic lunch and blanket and enjoy at any of our scenic spots.
Wildflower Walk
An experience as beautiful and interesting as your dear mom! Join us as we explore the woods at Crawford Lake in search of stunning spring ephemerals – from the earliest hepatica blooms, through trilliums and trout lilies, to the final blossoms of wild columbine the season brings diversity aplenty until the trees leaf out and the flowers are done for another year. Your guide will share the stories and incredible adaptations of these amazing blooms. Mother’s Day Refreshments & Treats available for purchase on site!
Pricing: $8 per person + Gate Fee
Runs 10AM – 11AM, 1PM – 2PM
Other Suggested Ideas…
- Take a Hike:
- Crawford Lake – Take a stroll around the elevated boardwalk surrounding the unique meromictic lake. The boardwalk offers several interpretive and rest areas. 1.4 km round trip (40 min)(easy hike). Follow the Crawford Lake trail.Nassagaweya Lookout – Trek through rocky woodlands and along the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. Spectacular views. 2.4 km round trip (1 hour) (moderate hike). Follow the Escarpment trail.
- Picnic:
- Pack a picnic lunch and blanket and enjoy it at any of our scenic spots.
- Time travel:
- Take the whole family on an adventure back in time as you explore the 15th century Longhouse Village and the exhibits inside!
Take a Walk in the Woods
Keep an eye out for birds, butterflies, and blooms while on a nature hike. Families can set out on their own along our well-marked trails. Find stroller-friendly paved paths, lakeside loops and challenging treks at:
Brock Harris Lookout – Boundless countryside views that span to Lake Ontario and the CN Tower. 2.3 km round trip (1 hour) (easy hike). Follow the North Loop or South Loop trail.
North Loop Lookout – Crevices and ancient cedars can be seen along the meandering cliff edge trail. 2.6 km round trip (1 hour) (moderate hike). Follow the North Loop trail.
Take a Walk in the Woods
Keep an eye out for birds, butterflies, and blooms while on a nature hike. Families can set out on their own along our well-marked trails. Find stroller-friendly paved paths, lakeside loops and challenging treks at:
Pinnacle Lookout – Towering cliffs and stunning vantage points. Upper level. 1.5 km round trip (20 min) (easy hike). Follow the Vista Adventure trail.
Buffalo Crag – Catch a glimpse of soaring turkey vultures across the beautiful Nassagaweya Canyon. Lower level. 3 km round trip (1 hour) (moderate hike). Follow the Buffalo Crag trail.
Take a Walk in the Woods
Keep an eye out for birds, butterflies, and blooms while on a nature hike. Families can set out on their own along our well-marked trails. Find stroller-friendly paved paths, lakeside loops and challenging treks at:
The Falls – A beautiful woodland trail along the way to a 10-metre waterfall. 4 km round trip (1 hour) (easy hike, except for initial incline). Follow the Hilton Falls trail.
Take a Walk in the Woods
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the other parks and visit Conservation Halton’s best kept secret: Robert Edmondson. Keep an eye out for birds, butterflies, and blooms while on a nature hike. Families can set out on their own along our well-marked trails. Find stroller-friendly paved paths, lakeside loops and challenging treks at:
Pier Lookout – Tranquil setting by the pond. Great spot for fishing or a picnic.
Marsh Marigolds – These native plant species that dot the marshes of Robert Edmondson begin to flower in early spring. With any luck, they’ll be showing off just in time for your stroll with mom!
*Reservations not required*
Let Mom Choose…
If you can’t resist wrapping a present, consider an annual Conservation Halton Parks Membership for Mom and the family to explore Mother Nature all year round. Find more details here.
Frequently Asked Questions…
We are happy to welcome your four-legged friends to our parks, however, dogs are not permitted on the Chairlift Ride at Kelso (“Chair-ish” Mom.) We also ask that if you are bringing your dogs to Mountsberg that you do not enter the Raptor Centre or barn with them as to not distress the animals that call those pens and stalls their home.
Yes, they are! Space is limited for these special add-ons so we recommend booking as soon as possible.
All Mother, Nature add-ons are non-refundable as events run rain or shine. Be sure to come dressed for the weather!
Yes there will be food available for purchase at the West Lodge window for the “Chair-ish” mom chairlift ride. There will also be refreshments available for purchase at Crawford Lake and Mountsberg as part of our Mother, Nature offering.
Simply go to www.parkvisit.ca, select the park you wish to visit, select your timeslot, pick your add-ons, and check out!