While visiting the Point Clark Lighthouse we decided to check out a local trail that we had read about, the Deer Run Nature Park. The entrance to the trail is located on Concession Road 2, and we parked on the side of the road.

The trail is a short one, taking no more than 20 minutes to make the loop. It is designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and an important feature is the Clark Creek Floodplain. The area was protected to allow wildlife passage to the creek and the nature environment also provide food and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including deer and birds.

The entrance to the trail is well marked and we easily spotted it while driving by. There is no specified parking lot but you can park on the side of the road.

One of the signs at the entrance asks hikers to follow a general hiker’s code and gives visitors and idea of the trails shape. It also includes local organizations that have help preserve and maintain the area.

There were a number of non-native plant species along the beginning of the trail due to local residential development. The community is hoping that once the area has been left undisturbed long enough, the weeds will be naturally replaced by native forest species.

The park is home to 8 different fern species, including Bracken, Boott’s, Rattlesnake ferns and  Marginal and Evergreen Woodferns. Later along the trail we spotted Ostrich Ferns and Sensitive Ferns.

Red Trilliums (native) were found along the edge of the trail.

Maya was enjoying the new smells and the bright, sunny day.

Part of the trail comes up against a residential area were we saw this cute little area that was set up.

A large field of non-native, invasive Periwinkle was well established near the rear area of the homes that backed up against the park.

Ostrich Ferns were growing in the last area and they looked vary healthy, in spite of the Periwinkle growing nearby.

Informative Signs At Deer Run Nature Park