The Trail

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There are roughly 6km of trail surrounding the marsh with off-shoots leading into the three different sections of marsh. The trail for the most part is dry, but there are areas that are quite marshy, and some where there is standing water after heavy rains and during the spring and fall seasons, when the water level in the marsh is high. Duckie shoes or hiking boots are suggested while hiking through the trails, as is some form of protection against the insects.  The trail is level and flat, with very little in the way of hills, so the walking is fairly easy. It is not recommended that you leave the trail, as much of the trail is built over areas of marsh and swamp. Leaving the trail could put you at risk of being stuck in mud.

In some areas you will find small streams or creeks, and along the trail you’ll find many trail markers and plant signs, as well as birdhouses and birdboxes, making the trail good for educational uses as well as recreational.

While hiking, please do not pick any of the wildflowers or plants – do not break of branches or flowers, or fungus. In a few spots there may be poison ivy, but for the most part, poison ivy along the trail is fairly controlled. There is one plant (marked with a sign) called “Jewelweed”. In bloom this plant has small hanging flowers of orange, yellowish orange, or orangey-rust. I wouldn’t recommended touching this plant. It’s other well-known name is “Touch-me-not”, and for good reason. For some people, this plant can cause a pinching, itchy, rash – I am one of those. As lovely as the blooms are, it’s best not to touch, just look.

When you leave the trails, they should be as they were when you entered, with all the flora intact and no trash (including things like gum, wrappers, cigarette butts) left behind you. If you happen to see trash on the trail (please don’t leave the trail to pick up trash) please be thoughtful and pick it up to place in the trash bin when you leave the sanctuary. Also, please don’t throw seeds from other plants into the marsh. You might be introducing a plant that is invasive without knowing it.

Exercise caution while hiking the trails, and keep your children on the trail and within sight all the time, and most of all, enjoy the natural surroundings.