Sheppard’s Bush Now Managed by Town

 Town Now Manages Sheppard’s Bush

As of January, 2022, the Town of Aurora has taken over the management of Sheppard’s Bush, a town jewel that was gifted to the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 1971 and features 65 acres of natural parkland after having been previously managed by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Sugar Shack and Log Cabin at Sheppard’s Bush

The area was donated to the foundation by Reg Sheppard whose father C.H. Sheppard was a former Mayor of Aurora and had driven a stagecoach between Aurora and Sutton. He had wanted Aurorans to enjoy the sugarbush in its natural state - partly why the area wasn’t directly gifted directly to the town as they wouldn’t guarantee him no gift taxes and succession duties, as well as the maximum income tax deduction. Reg also was weary of town councils that he thought may decide to try and develop parts over time.

It was also thought that the Aurora Horse Show would relocate on 20 acres there but that never materialized, and in 1975 the Conservation Authority announced a master plan which would include partially opening to the public in spring of 1976 with a sugar bush demonstration area, and construction of a sugar shack which hoped to produce 4,800 gallons of sap from 750 - 1000 maple trees, that would all translate into about 160 gallons of syrup to be sold from a historic log cabin that was relocated to the site. 

The sugar bush dream was finally fully realized in 1977 when it was completely opened to the public, as the donating Sheppard family moved out of their on site home.

If you grew up in the area, you will recall your schools visiting, which was also part of the plan, attracting 15 - 20,000 visitors a year where you could sample the goodies and see the process involved in making maple syrup.

Lions Club donated the money to build pavilion

For many years after, the Aurora Lions Club would host an annual pancake breakfast there, and in fact, donated the funds to build an outdoor pavilion that is still at the park today, which can be booked out for events.

In 1997 the conservation authority proposed constructing soccer fields and baseball diamonds and an additional parking area that the town enjoys use of to this day as well. They have since added connecting walking trails that also allow access to the Nokida trail system which run all the way north to Holland Landing.

The town of Aurora owes a debt of gratitude to Reg Sheppard for this wondrous donation and one can only hope they consider bringing back the operation of the sugar shack and once again offering Aurora’s own maple syrup!

York Region Forests Map Developed Trails

Spotted at Jokers Hill, King Township

Summer seems finally within grasp and with that this year were being told to expect higher than usual numbers of mosquitoes and black flies and something else - ticks they say are also more plentiful this year and as spreaders of Lyme disease something we surely want to avoid.

As a person who loves the outdoors and is prone to venturing off beaten paths at times to capture wild life and nature photos if not cleared them of fallen trees, I've come up with a few rules I use to make my outdoor experience less annoying (nothing more annoying than batting off mosquitoes as you try and hold for a shot) and ultimately more safe. Ditto thought to batting bugs while using a chain saw.

Before anything else, I douse myself in bug repellent, ensuring to cover areas like my head, face and susceptible spots like above the waistline and ankles and if I'm working outdoors or around swarms of bugs when further north ensuring to close my eyes when spraying my face and keeping cameras and sunglasses out of spray shot so as not to damage them, I might even wear a cheap dollar store type of overalls with hood as well as gloves which leave only your face at risk, but, barring all that, wearing long sleeved shirts or jackets with hood  and long pants is best to avoid unpleasantries. Shoes and socks over bare feet or sandals are recommended as well.

While out in nature, just remember that any new nearby land development - maybe even your home - will shakes out a few casualties or displaced wild life looking for new territory so be on the look out while driving and on the trails, and be sure to respect their habitat.

Residence near Bathurst St. Newmarket

It's usually best to stick to the marked trails if you want to avoid black legged ticks and if you have dogs and allow them to run free, please don't if you want to avoid ticks and especially don't during June's nesting season, as free-for-all-running dogs often uproot ground nests or spook wild life out resulting in lost wild life and habitat.

Bathurst Street 

York Region has some of the greatest trails in Ontario to check out also whether the around the Oak Ridges Moraine, York Regional Forest main trails, Vivian Forrest, Thornton Bales, Jokers Hill, Tom Taylor Trail, wherever you trek out to, enjoy! Just respect nature and nature will respect you! And remember doggy poop bags do no good lying on the ground, plastic does not decompose, and neither do Timmies cups! Enjoy it...just don't destroy it!

Tom's Green Show

List of York Region Trails and Maps here.

Newmarket's Tom Taylor Trail

Joker's Hill dog owners often don't use leashes jeopardizing nesting sites

No bugs on him

Glenway property at Bathurst

Aurora grows up

Info here

Former Macgregor Farm in Newmarket by Glenway

 

Later, Tom