Leaf Season is Over... and Parkways are closed to Traffic for the Season!
By:  Megan McTavish   (2012/11/02)

People flock from all over to take a look at the leaves of Gatineau Park, sometimes leaving us "regular" park users a bit frustrated with the traffic and increased number of people.  Leaf season is one of the best times of year for us too though, and this year was another great one!  I personally love training in the cooler temperatures, under sunny skies while taking in the beautiful colours. 

For a few short weeks the park was literally glowing and the weather was great.  Here are some pictures I took this year on some of my "leaf watching" outings!

A lunch-time run in the trails across the road from my house.

A Thanksgiving canoe in Meech Lake.

Another shot from Meech Lake.

The view from Skyline Trail, on another run.

My favourite...the ground view (where I spend most of my time looking trying to avoid ankle sprains) on Skyline Trail.

Now that Leaf Season is over, we are all waiting for snow.  The First Snowfall contest is underway and the Parkways are closed for the season. 

Thanks to Ian Lennie who organized the Parkway closures again this year!  Your work is much appreciated. 

Here is a note from Ian:

Hi all,

Now that the parkways of Gatineau Park are closed for the winter, I want to thank those of you who dug yourselves out of bed before sunrise on weekend mornings, or hustled through rush-hour traffic on weekday evenings to close parkways so that many, many could enjoy what must be the luckiest privilege in Canada for those of us who like to roll over pavement on skis, skates, cycles or longboards.

Though this task of co-ordinator has its challenges, recruiting people to close certainly was not one of them.  Thank you to all the volunteers from: Chelsea Nordiq, Nakkertok, Skinouk, XC Ottawa, Carleton U. Ravens nordic ski team, Ottawa Inline Skating Club, and parents from the youth program of the Ottawa Bicycle Club.

As always, thank you especially for keeping safety, mutual respect and consideration for the natural environment at the forefront.

Enjoy those wide-open parkways and, hopefully soon, the park's snow-covered trails.

See you out there,
Ian