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Oak Ridges Corridor Park East Lands

The “East Lands”, also popularly referred to as Jefferson Forest, is a 214 ha (529 acres) swath of green space that runs from Stouffville Side Road north to Bethesda Side Road just east of Bayview Avenue. On the map, courtesy of TRCA, it is shown in pink.

It is largely forested yet contains a kettle lake (Swan Lake) and is dotted with wetlands that are headwaters for the Humber and Rouge Rivers. It also has a “dry kettle lake” or deep bowl with a base of sand that does not hold water. There are dramatic changes in elevation and soil types that provide a diverse environment for both flora and fauna as well as offer some wonderful views.

The property is home to many special species and almost all of it is considered the Lake Wilcox Kettle Wetlands and Uplands Area of Natural Scientific Interest (ANSI). It also borders on the Jefferson Forest ANSI that runs south of Stouffville Road. Together these form one of the largest intact forested areas on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Historically this land was in private ownership. As shown on this map, courtesy of TRCA Archaeology Resource Management Services, the northwest portion was the Lake Wilcox Golf and Country Club, a nine-hole course that served the local area. The irregular shaped piece on the northwest corner was an active cottage community until it was sold for development in the early 1980’s. This property is not part of the park and will be developed in the foreseeable future. The park land was largely transferred to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as part of the negotiations leading up to the Oak Ridges Moraine Act and Plan. Recently the Authority, along with several partners, has purchased some strategic properties to increase the size of the park.

The TRCA is developing a management plan for the area that is expected to be completed in 2010. This plan will lay out strategies for restoration of the park to even further increase the size of the forest and to repair habitat particularly in those places damaged by unauthorized use of motorized vehicles and cyclist playgrounds. It will also include an outline for public access including trails that will enable visitors to enjoy the area but stay away from sensitive features. The next step will be to integrate this management plan with that of the original Oak Ridges Corridor Park so that the whole area will operate as one nature reserve.

Features

The East Lands are a wonderful place to visit. It is hard to find such diverse habitat packed into such a relatively small area. Yet it is big enough to get lost and feel like you are in a true wilderness. Each season has its own special treats. Spring brings the migrating birds full of song along with the early woodland flowers. In summer, the breeding birds are raising their young and the forest is its verdant best. In fall, you have the migrating birds again and the autumn colourful trees. Bare trees in winter allow spectacular views along with the wonderful tree architecture. It is wise to remember, however, in all seasons there are steep grades – slippery when wet!

At the south end, you are immediately immersed in the forest. Indeed, people refer to the extreme south end as the “hemlock cathedral” where towering trees shade out the understory. As you move north and onto higher ground the hemlocks give way to maple, birch and of course red oak, name sake of this moraine. Here you find an abundance of woodland flowers in spring. In some areas there are carpets of trilliums. Later in the season there are a variety of ferns, including the evergreen Christmas Fern. Of course, in fall the colours are brilliant.

Farther north you encounter the wetlands on the east with fabulous views from the ridges, and the canopy opens up to the west where the land descends to the sandy bottom of the dry kettle lake. Here you will find a variety of scrub trees, shrubs and grasses that provide a whole new habitat.

Naturally, the wildlife vary with the different types of environment.

• Deep in the forest you find birds that rely upon extensive tree cover for breeding and thus survival. These include the Scarlet Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker (pictured), Broad-winged Hawk and Barred Owl. Of course there are lots of other forest birds too like chickadees, nuthatches, other woodpeckers and in the warm weather a variety of warblers. The trees also provide habitat for many small creatures like grey and red squirrels and chipmunks.
• At the forest edge, you can see other intriguing birds such as the Indigo Bunting and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
• The wetlands support birds such as the Swamp Sparrow and Wood Duck, and are home to a variety of frogs. The combination of wetland and forest make this area especially welcoming for salamanders.
• The fields and scrub welcome a different set of birds including the melodious Field Sparrow as well as Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird and Gray Catbird. For more information on any of these birds visit www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search and search on the name.
• Throughout the park, there are numerous other wildlife that roam the area including deer, coyotes, raccoons, foxes and rabbits. The best way to identify their presence and travels is to find their tracks or other signs like scat (poop) in the soft earth or snow.

When you get the opportunity, enjoy your visit but please remember that you are the visitor. Please respect the habitat and the creatures that live there. Follow the trail rules as listed for the Corridor Park page above.