Boyd Conservation Area

Boyd Conservation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Boyd Conservation Area, May 2011
Map showing the location of Boyd Conservation Area
Map showing the location of Boyd Conservation Area
Location in Southern Ontario
LocationRegional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada
Nearest cityVaughan
Coordinates43°48′34″N 79°35′09″W / 43.80944°N 79.58583°W / 43.80944; -79.58583[1]
Area401 ha (990 acres)
Established1957 (1957)
OwnerToronto and Region Conservation Authority
trca.ca/parks/boyd-conservation-area/

Boyd Conservation Area is a suburban land preserve owned and operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in the city of Vaughan, Regional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada. It also overlaps a life science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest of the same name.[2]

It is a moderate-size park that offers facilities for numerous outdoor activities. The park is situated in the Humber River valley. Public operations run between late April and early October, and are funded in part by nominal fees to access the park. Optionally, individuals or families may acquire a membership, which provides access to a number of parks operated by the Conservation Authority. A little known fact concerning the park is that, upon its creation, it was given the unofficial motto "Natura exorno omnis nos postulo".

In September and October, the park is used as the venue for cross country running events, the most prominent being the OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) meet which brings together the best runners in the province, a yearly event it hosted from 1960 to 1965, 1968 to 1972, 1981, 1989,[3] and 2009.[4]

In the summer, it is a popular destination for local residents to enjoy a picnic; businesses may also reserve one of 19 well-groomed sites in the park for corporate picnics, including a few which have sheltered areas. Bocce courts, volleyball and basketball courts, soccer fields, and children's playgrounds are found within the park for the benefit of families and youth groups.

Bird watching and nature hiking are very popular. Outdoor musical concerts are also frequent in Boyd Conservation Area throughout the summer, partly due to the sheltered outdoor sites.

The Boyd staff uniform consists of powder blue shirts bearing the TRCA crest, dark blue work pants, steel-toed boots and TRCA caps or cowboy hats. The Boyd Staff have consistently received very positive reviews on their service from patrons to the park.

Boyd Park is affiliated with the Kortright Centre and all full-time Boyd staff take up work at Kortright over the winter season. Due to limited funding, Boyd only retains a few full-time staff. The rest of their staff is made up of summer students and those who wish to complete community service outdoors, aiding in keeping the grounds clean.

References

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  1. ^ "Boyd Conservation Area". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "Natural Areas Report: Boyd Conservation Area and Adjacent Lands". Government of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2007-08-01. [permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "OFSAA Past Champions: Boys' Cross Country Running" (PDF). Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  4. ^ "Cross Country (Central)". Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations. Archived from the original on 2010-03-14. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
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