Maple syrup season on the horizon at Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation areas

Maple syrup is going to be the focus of several events the next couple of weeks at a pair of Conservation Halton parks.

Maple season is one of the most delicious and historic traditions at Conservation Halton and residents of Milton, Oakville, Burlington and Halton Hills are invited to take part. This year’s offerings include Mountsberg Maple Town, and Crawford Lake Sweetwater Season.

Maple Town at Mountsberg is March 4 to April 9 on weekends, holidays and March break.

The Mountsberg sugarbush has been producing maple magic for more than 150 years and educating the public for more than 40 years. The park will tap about 300 sugar maples this spring and the crystal-clear sap will be magically transformed into sweet maple syrup in the Sugar Shanty.

During your visit to Maple Town you’ll be able to take in the various demonstrations and exhibits around the sugar bush, and don’t forget the pancakes. Plus, you can add a wagon ride through the sugarbush or Talons and Tailfeathers for a close encounter with the Mountsberg raptors.

Included in your Maple Town Experience are Raptor centre, Cameron barn, Maple taffy on snow (additional fee applies), Country Store Gift Shop wagon Rides (additional fee applies, available first come, first served. Sign up at the Discovery Centre) 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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Other features include:

• Candy Cabin: Watch staff whip up a batch of delicious maple sugar on the woodstove and try a free sample of this tasty treat.
• Pancake House (additional fees apply): What’s maple season without a piping hot stack of pancakes covered in maple syrup?
• Sugar Shack: The Sugar Shack is where the maple magic happens. Watch skilled sugar makers turn watery maple sap into sticky sweet maple syrup in the evaporator. Educators lead formal presentations every 20 minutes.
• Historical Sites: From the first Indigenous sugar makers to pioneer cast iron kettles to the flat pan, this area takes you through the changing technology used to make maple magic over the years.
• Country Store: Pick up a bottle of maple syrup or some maple candies to take home and enjoy.
• Maple Trivia Trail: Take a stroll through the sugar bush and pick up some maple trivia as you check out the 150-year-old maple trees and watch the sap drip into the pails

Sweet Water at Crawford Lake is March 4 to April 9, on weekends, holidays, and March break.

This experience focuses on the Indigenous heritage of maple sugaring through a series of exhibits throughout the Longhouse Village where visitors can take a step back in time, to the 15th Century site, when maple sugaring was the first harvest of the year.

Sweetwater demonstrations will run throughout the day where guests can gather by the fire and learn all about the history of maple sugar making. There will also be guided maple syrup tasting flights offered where you can try different grades of maple syrup, similar to a wine tasting.

Included in your Sweetwater Season Experience:

• Longhouse Village exploration
• First Harvest: Celebrating Sweet Water Exhibit
• Maple syrup tastings noon and 2 p.m.
• Maple taffy on snow 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (additional fee applies)
• Sweet Water demonstrations 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
• Gift Shop 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit here.