CRCA Maple Madness programming altered for 2021 season

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority is not holding their regular Maple Madness programming at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation area this year. However, there are some family friendly maple themed activities happening on the weekends throughout the rest of March.

Guided sugar bush tours and interpretive talks and demos will be the main events this maple syrup season. These events require registration in order to maintain pandemic protocols and keep participants safe.

Guided Sugar Bush Tours

The guided sugar bush tours are a 45 minute hike, where staff will guide participants through the sugar bush interpretive trail. Participants will learn how maple syrup was made historically and how it is made now.

Ticket holders will be required to walk the 2km trail to the Sugar Bush from the Outdoor Center to meet their hike leader. The usual wagon rides are not available this year.

The sugar bush interpretive trail will be closed to those who do not have a ticket on the weekends. The trail is available for self-guided tours during the week.

Maple Interpretive Talk/Demonstration

The interpretive talk/demo will take place in the back lawn of the Outdoor Centre. Staff will take participants on a journey to learn how maple syrup was made historically and how it is made today.

Ticket holders are asked to meet staff on the front lawn of the Outdoor Centre to be taken to the demonstration area. The talk/demo will last for about 45 minutes.

Registration and details for both of these events is available on the Maple Programming page of the Cataraqui Conservation website.

According to the website, the Outdoor Centre will be open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for casual visitors.

At the conservation area, visitors can stop by the Maple Shop to purchase syrup and other maple products. There are also educational fact sheets, colouring pages, scavenger hunts, species ID sheets, trail maps and more available upon request inside the Outdoor Centre.

Masks must be worn at all times when inside the Outdoor Centre, and washrooms are open for public use.

Visit the Maple Programming webpage for more details.