Daytripping Summer 2022

Lake Huron
MI
ONTARIO
NY
Daytripping to DRESDEN and to AAMJIWNAANG FIRST NATION
Indigenous Artisans, Crafters,
Vendors & Food Vendors!
2 nd SATURDAY
nd
OF THE MONTH
from MAY to
DECEMBER
am- m
9am-1pm
1972 Virgil Ave.
Aamjiwnaang aa a ng First i
Nation
t
i
n
(South of Sarnia)
St. Clair River
St.
Clair r Parkwa
Parkway
way
Sarnia
Gwetaandaawe
awe
Lasalle a a
e
Line
Churchill C
u c i
Line
For more information contact Barb Urlacher at: burlacher@aamjiwnaang.ca
Corunna
u
n
Petrolia Line
Greenhill Gardens
If you happen to be find yourself near
Wilkesport Ontario, about 30 minutes
south of Sarnia, you might notice that
there’s not much to do. There are a few
homes, a post office
and the library, a
community centre,
a baseball field and
that’s about it. But
venture one side
road to the west on
Wilkesport Line and
as you approach the
intersection of Indian
Creek Road you’ll
notice Canadian
and American flags
rising out of the wheat field. Welcome
to Greenhill Gardens, an oasis in the
middle of nowhere.
I first stumbled upon this years ago
while taking a shortcut on these back
roads and came to an
intersection where
there was a neatly
placed wall of armor
stone in a field for
no apparent reason.
I thought to myself
that it didn’t get
there by itself, but
why would anyone
want it there? That
would have been
around 2008, when Joy and Bill Robson
decided to build a six acre garden to
“give back” to the community. The
original plan was to donate the land to
a conservation group, but after failing to
Story and photos by Mark Moran
Céad mile fáilte
(One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)
find a partner they slowly transformed
the swamp into a magnificent park,
complete with three ponds, walkways,
bridges, waterfalls and benches for
people to picnic,
enjoy and seek
serenity. My last
trip there was at
8 o’clock in the
morning. There was
a chill in the air
along with the sound
of countless birds,
and frogs leaping
into the ponds.
There’s also a
small welcome cabin
and it’s nice to relax in there for a few
moments, to leaf through the guestbook,
look at family photos of the Robsons and
see all the notices of weddings that will
be taking place here. I gather there is no
cost, but don’t know
how people make
reservations for the
many wedding and
graduation photos
that are taken there.
Among a number of
beautiful vistas at
Green Hill Gardens
the most popular
would be a long
covered bridge,
perfect for a processional, and a great
photo from any angle. Portions of it
are covered in wisteria and must be
absolutely stunning when in bloom.
There are even numerous toys to
keep kids and grandkids amused while
parents stroll the grounds. Rumour has
it that Dolly Parton made a special stop
here and signed the guestbook.
Greenhill Gardens is a hidden gem
that is yours to discover. There is no
admission, not even a donation box
that I could find. It’s a wonderful place
to walk around and, if accessibility is
an issue, the paths and bridges are
wide enough for wheelchairs or you
can drive through with your window
down to take in the sounds in the fresh,
country air.
Joy and Bill Robson were married for
56 years and both have passed away
in recent years, but this labour of love
that they worked at tirelessly will live
on and awaits your visit. It truly is an
“Oasis in the middle of nowhere.”
Greenhill Gardens just west of Wilkesport
Bill and Joy Robson
Mooretown
Sombra
Greenhill
Gardens
Summer 2022 “Warning - may contain small parts” (label on a frisbee)
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