An Insider's Guide to Waterloo Region

Grand River, Homer Watson Park opposite Pioneer Tower

I walked along the Grand River in Homer Watson Park yesterday. It was very cold and bleak as I stepped over big chunks of river ice which were thrown up on the banks during the recent thaw. This is one of the few areas of the river that has open water within the city limits. The nearby water treatment plant discharges treated water here and it seldom freezes over in this area opposite the Pioneer Tower. I was looking for birds and saw the usual species in the trees and water. Then I noticed some unusual birds on the edge of the ice. Robins! A flock of about 30 birds was in the trees below the tower and they came to the edge of the river for a drink. The light was poor and the bottom picture was taken with digital zoom but there is no mistaking these birds.

The Tilt family farm in Upper Doon is surrounded by a subdivision of much newer houses. Free range chickens roam the yard behind suburban lots and pasture fresh eggs are sold here right in the city. The collage below shows some more pictures of the lovely old homestead. (map)

The Kitchener Wedding Chapel is located in the Heritage District on Doon Village Road. It is surrounded by old buildings and a picturesque village setting.

Doon was once a busy industrial centre with wood and saw mills, brick yards, barrel and carriage works, and flax and twine mills. Doon Flax Mill was part of the Doon Twines complex of buildings which stood at this present trail head. It was sold in the early 20th century to the Krug family and the name was changed to Canada Cordage. This machine was used to manufacture jute yarn and rope and was donated to the Industrial Artifacts Project of the City of Kitchener in 2007 when Canada Cordage closed.