Canada Day 2011 Celebrations at Columbia Lake

This event is the most searched topic on this blog by a very large margin. People are already looking for information on the annual fireworks display at Columbia Lake. The University of Waterloo and the Federation of Students organize the family oriented activities which run from 2PM to 11PM on July 1st. They rely on community sponsors and volunteers to make the day a success.

The UW Canada Day Celebrations website provides all the information you need to know including a list of activities, directions, free parking information and opportunities to volunteer or contribute to the event.

November Soccer and Brubacher House

The weather this week is unusually beautiful and warm for November. This soccer field is next to Columbia Lake and a couple of games were in progress last weekend. Brubacher House is in the background. Built in 1850, it is now curated by the University of Waterloo. This web link provides information about the building and the agricultural history of the land where the university is now located.

Open Text Expansion

Open Text - Frank Tompa Dr Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1

Open Text has started a major expansion project in the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park.

Grass Lake

Grass Lake, North Dumfries Township

North Dumfries township, south of the city of Cambridge, is on the northern edge of the Carolinian zone and has Carolinian oak-hickory forests, prairie grasslands and valuable wetlands. There are interesting glacial features such as drumlins, moraines, kames and kettle lakes. Grass Lake is seen from Shouldice Road between Beke Road and the Brant Waterloo Road. (map) I walked this stretch on the weekend and in less than half an hour saw Sandhill Cranes, American Kestrels, a Red-tailed Hawk, several Wood Ducks and Pied-billed Grebes, Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds and other common birds. Many other water and grassland birds are found here especially in the summer. If you are interested in birding, natural history and glacial landforms, this is a unique area within Waterloo Region to explore.

Columbia Lake

Columbia Lake

Columbia Lake at the University of Waterloo is a popular place for birding, fishing, sports and trail walking.