Canada’s Capital Region ― Residents and visitors are invited to experience the magical fall colours of Gatineau Park, during the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Fall Rhapsody, from September 30 to October 16, 2011.

The public can get the most from Gatineau Park in the fall, by:

• Exploring over 90 kilometres of trails by bicycle or on foot. Using sustainable transportation is environmentally responsible and has positive impacts on overall quality of life. Air and noise pollution are reduced, as is road congestion.
• Visiting mid-week to experience the autumn splendour at its tranquil best.
• Admiring the fall colours at scenic Philippe Lake, Camp Fortune or Mackenzie King Estate.
• Enjoying activities for the whole family at the Visitor Centre. The public can learn about the hidden treasures in the Park and participate in dynamic free educational programs: “Follies of the Fall Forest” weekends from October 1 to 16, including Monday, October 10.
• Discovering the Luskville Falls sector. An interpretive path will take you to the Falls and then on to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, giving you a spectacular view of the Ottawa Valley.

FALL RHAPSODY 2011 ACTIVITIES

FOLLIES OF THE FALL FOREST

October 1 and 2 (12:30 pm in English / 2:30 pm in French)

October 9, 10, 15 and 16 (2:30 pm in English / 12:30 pm in French)

Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road

An NCC nature interpreter will demonstrate how to recognize some of the 50 species of trees found in Gatineau Park during guided tours. Participants will also learn more about what causes the leaves to fall and change color. These free two-hour programs include a short presentation at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, followed by a guided hike on the Sugarbush Trail.

FOREST FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA

October 8, from 9 am to 4 pm

• Presentation on nature and wildlife (English: 10:30 am to 11:30 am; 1 pm to 2 pm / French: 9 am to 10 am; 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm).
• Ongoing activities (Bilingual: 9 am to 12 pm; 1 pm to 4 pm).

Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road

Explore and learn about Gatineau Park’s flora and fauna during guided walks in the forest. Take part in presentations where specialists will be on hand to answer questions on Canadian wildlife, conservation and research programs, and species at risk.

HIKE WITH THE OTTAWA VOYAGEURS WALKING CLUB

October 1, registration is from 9 am to 10:30 am

Keogan Shelter

Hikers can explore the trails in Gatineau Park by taking part in the 12th annual hike organized by the Ottawa Voyageurs Walking Club. Participants can sign up at the Keogan Shelter between 9 am and 10:30 am, where the 5 km and 10 km hikes depart.  Bring a snack to enjoy! (Participation in the event is free. For those participating in the IVV credits, the fee is $2.00 as the walk is sanctioned by the Canadian Volkssport Federation).

STROLL BACK IN TIME AT MACKENZIE KING ESTATE

Mackenzie King Estate ― open daily, until October 16

• Wednesdays through Mondays, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Estate museums are closed on Tuesdays, the grounds remain open to the public.

The Tearoom ― open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, until October 16

Re-live 100 years of Canadian history by visiting the restored chalets and experience nature as you wander the quiet wooded trails laid out by Mackenzie King. Admire the flower gardens and collection of ruins that were the pride of this former prime minister. Or take a break and enjoy a light meal at the Mackenzie King Tearoom.

PARKWAY RESERVED FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Saturday and Sunday mornings until October 23, from 7 am to 10 am

• Section of the Gatineau Parkway between parking lot P8 and the Champlain Parkway.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the breathtaking fall colours of Gatineau Park by foot, bicycle, roller-blades or roller skis when a section of the Gatineau Parkway will be temporarily closed to automobile traffic on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This will be offered in partnership with Cross-Country Canada until the seasonal closure of the parkway network later this fall.

For more information on activities in Gatineau Park, the public may contact the NCC at 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/gatineau, or visit the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre located at 33 Scott Road, in Chelsea, Quebec.

This year’s Fall Rhapsody is in full swing and the NCC wants you to take advantage of more than 90 kilometres of trails and bike paths in Gatineau Park.

Through Oct. 17, people can admire the best that Ottawa-Gatineau’s fall colours have to offer.

Full story: Metro Minute with Fall Rhapsody

• La promenade de la Gatineau, entre le chemin du Lac-Meech et la promenade Champlain Fermée de 6 h à 11 h* Ce tronçon (4,8 km) est idéal pour les cyclistes amateurs de parcours vallonnés.

* Pendant le Coloris automnal, soit du 2 au 17 octobre, cette section de la promenade de la Gatineau sera fermée à la circulation automobile de 6 h à 9 h 30.

• Section de la promenade de la Gatineau située au nord du chemin du Lac- Meech (aire de stationnement P8) Fermée de 6 h à 13 h

Ce tronçon (3,4 km) convient bien aux familles avec de jeunes enfants.

Pour de plus amples renseignements à propos des samedis « court circuit », veuillez communiquer avec la CCN au 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (ATS) ou 1-866-661-3530 (ATS sans frais) ou encore consulter le site Web de la CCN au www.capitaleducanada.gc.ca/courtcircuit.

• Gatineau Parkway between Meech Lake Road and the Champlain Parkway Closed from 6 am to 11 am* This portion (4.8 km) is great for cycling enthusiasts who enjoy hilly terrain.

* During the Fall Rhapsody program, from October 2 to 17, this portion of the Gatineau Parkway will be closed to motor vehicles every Saturday from 6 am to 9:30 am.

• Northern section of the Gatineau Parkway off Meech Lake Road (P8 parking lot) Closed from 6 am to 1 pm

This portion (3.4 km) is also suitable for families with young children.

For more information on Saturday Short Loops, please contact the NCC at 819-827-2020, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/shortloops.

• Explore over 90 kilometres of trails by bicycle or on foot. Using sustainable transportation is environmentally responsible and has positive impacts on overall quality of life. Air and noise pollution are reduced, as is road congestion.
• Visit mid-week to experience the autumn splendour at its tranquil best.
• Admire the fall colours at scenic Camp Fortune, or hike to Philippe Lake for a tranquil walk. The NCC wishes to remind the public that Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake sectors are now closed to vehicles.
• Enjoy activities for the whole family at the Visitor Centre and learn about the hidden treasures in the Park. Visitors can take in the exhibit Gatineau Park: Protecting Nature and Sharing Our History, pick-up a variety of brochures or receive detailed information from Park Information Officers.
• Discover the Luskville Falls sector. An interpretive path will take you to the Falls and then on to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, giving you a spectacular view of the Ottawa Valley.

FALL RHAPSODY 2009 ACTIVITIES:

FOLLIES OF THE FALL FOREST
October 17 and 18 (10:30 am in French / 1:30 pm in English)
Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road
An NCC nature interpreter will demonstrate how to recognize some of the 50 species of
trees found in Gatineau Park during guided tours. Participants will also learn more about
what causes the leaves to change color and fall. These approximately two-hour long programs include a short presentation at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, followed by a guided hike on the Sugarbush Trail. Free!

STROLL BACK IN TIME AT MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
Mackenzie King Estate – open weekdays from 11 am to 5 pm,
weekends from 10 am to 6 pm, until October 18
The Tearoom – open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, until October 18
Re-live Canadian history as you visit the restored chalets of Canada’s longest serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Wander the quiet wooded trails that lace through the estate and discover the collection of ruins that pepper the landscape. Or take a break and savour a delicious meal at the Mackenzie King Tearoom. Visitors have until season’s end, on October 18, to see this popular heritage site that captivated the 10th Prime Minister of Canada with its beauty.
PARKWAY RESERVED FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 5:00 pm to dusk
Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 7:00 am to 9:30 am
Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the breathtaking fall colours of Gatineau Park by foot, bicycle or roller-blades when over 8 kilometres of scenic parkways, including Gatineau Parkway from parking lots P8 to Dunlop, are temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. This will be offered in partnership with Cross Country Canada until the seasonal closure of the parkway network later this fall. The NCC would like to remind users that, as the daylight hours wane, the use of reflective clothing and other equipment to increase visibility is recommended.

Vivid hues and striking scenery draw thousands of people to visit Gatineau Park each autumn during the three weekends of Fall Rhapsody. The NCC launched the Fall Rhapsody program in the 1980’s, to provide a quality experience for visitors who were coming to the Park to admire the brilliant foliage. Gatineau Park, a superb nature reserve managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC), is the Capital’s conservation park, located just 15 minutes from Parliament Hill. For more information on activities in the Park, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.

Traffic and parking are usually a challenge on the Thanksgiving Monday, said Grout. In previous years, many of the free parking lots through the park were full. Melissa Landel, her husband, Israel Martinez, and their 17-month-old daughter Ema also came.

“We’ve been to the park before but never to the estate,” said Landel.

Read the full article at Metro Ottawa: That’s a wrap for Fall Rhapsody

Please note: Fall Rhapsody continues to Oct 18.

The program seeks to communicate environmental values and practices linked to responsible use of natural spaces and offers information and facts on environmentally responsible behaviour. In this spirit, the NCC would like to inform residents and visitors to Canada’s Capital Region on how to get the most from fall activities in Gatineau Park.

• Explore over 90 kilometres of trails by bicycle or on foot. Using sustainable transportation is environmentally responsible and has positive impacts on overall quality of life. Air and noise pollution are reduced, as is road congestion.
• Visit mid-week to experience the autumn splendour at its tranquil best.
• Admire the fall colours at scenic Philippe Lake or Camp Fortune.
• Enjoy activities for the whole family at the Visitor Centre and learn about the hidden treasures in the Park. Visitors can take in the exhibit Gatineau Park: Protecting Nature and Sharing Our History, pick-up a variety of brochures or receive detailed information from Park Information Officers.
• Discover the Luskville Falls sector. An interpretive path will take you to the Falls and then on to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, giving you a spectacular view of the Ottawa Valley.

FALL RHAPSODY 2009 ACTIVITIES:

FOLLIES OF THE FALL FOREST
October 3 and 4 (10:30 am in English / 1:30 pm in French)
October 10, 11, 12, 17 and 18 (10:30 am in French / 1:30 pm in English)
Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road
An NCC nature interpreter will demonstrate how to recognize some of the 50 species of
trees found in Gatineau Park during guided tours. Participants will also learn more about
what causes the leaves to change color and fall. These approximately two-hour programs include a short presentation at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, followed by a guided hike on the Sugarbush Trail. Free!

HIKE WITH THE OTTAWA VOYAGEURS WALKING CLUB
October 3, registration 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Phillipe Lake
Hikers can explore the trails around the picturesque Phillipe Lake in Gatineau Park. This tenth annual event is organized by the Ottawa Voyageurs Walking Club. Participants can sign up at Parent Beach at Philippe Lake between 9 am and 10:30 am, where the 5 km and 10 km hikes depart. Bring a picnic to enjoy!
(Participation in the event is free. For those participating in the IVV credits, as the walk is sanctioned by the Canadian Volkssport Federation, the fee is $2.00.)

STROLL BACK IN TIME AT MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
Mackenzie King Estate – open daily, except Tuesdays, until October 18
The Tearoom – open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., until October 18
(including Thanksgiving Day – October 12)
Re-live Canadian history as you visit the restored chalets of Canada’s longest serving Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. Wander the quiet wooded trails that lace through the estate and discover the collection of ruins that pepper the landscape. Or take a break and savour a delicious meal at the Mackenzie King Tearoom.

PARKWAY RESERVED FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 5 :00 pm to dusk
Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 7:00 am to 9 :30 am
Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the breathtaking fall colours of Gatineau Park by foot, bicycle or roller-blades when over 8 kilometres of scenic parkways are temporarily closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. This will be offered in partnership with Cross Country Canada until the seasonal closure of the parkway network later this fall. The NCC would like to remind users that, as the daylight hours wane, the use of reflective clothing and other equipment to help increase visibility is recommended.

Vivid hues and striking scenery draw thousands of people to visit Gatineau Park each autumn during the three weekends of Fall Rhapsody. The NCC launched the Fall Rhapsody program in the 1980’s, to provide a quality experience for visitors who were coming to the Park to admire the brilliant foliage. Gatineau Park, a superb nature reserve managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC), is the Capital’s conservation park, located just 15 minutes from Parliament Hill. For more information on activities in the Park, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.