Rob Plumley
Naturally L&A
There’s definitely a lot to see and do here in Lennox & Addington County, particularly if you enjoy getting out and exploring our natural surroundings.
One of my roles as Community Development Officer with the L&A Economic Development Office is to visit as many of these locations as I can, take photographs and describe my experience, hopefully enticing others to follow suit.
The majority of our regional marketing is focused on attracting visitors from outside the area to experience what L&A has to offer. This summer we’re excited to partner with The Napanee Beaver to highlight to a local audience some of the many activities that are available to us here in the county, some of which you may have never heard of before.
One such spot – and one of my favourite hiking destinations – is Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve. It could be L&A County’s best-kept secret for nature lovers. It’s located on Roblin Road, about 4.5 kilometres west of County Road 41 near the hamlet of Roblin.
Ontario Parks maintains this 800 hectare Nature Reserve Class Provincial Park that was established in 1993 and dedicated to the life of Oivi Menzel. The reserve includes “Oivi’s Trail”, a relatively flat 3.6 km round trip route that leads you to a beautiful view of Mud Lake.
While there is no parking lot at the trailhead, the entrance to the property is easily spotted and there is plenty of room to park roadside. Once inside you will find excellent interpretive signage where you can pick up a brochure that describes the history and purpose of the reserve.
The trail is well-marked by numbered post signs that highlight distinct areas of interest, including cedar forests, wetlands, flowering fields and shrub fens. It’s a great place to take the family for a leisurely hike and learn about the many habitats found along the way.
This is just one of many ‘under the radar’ nature-based attractions that are found here in Lennox & Addington County. For more information about Menzel Centennial Provincial Nature Reserve and details about other hiking destinations in L&A visit our website at www.NaturallyLA.ca.