Tag: summer

  • Sawmill Valley Trail

    Sawmill Valley Trail

    Sawmill Valley Trail provided our family with such a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The trail was fairly easy, with no exposed roots or especially difficult terrain, which meant that all three kids, at their different levels and abilities, could navigate it independently and safely. As I mention below, we did remain cautious and vigilant of the creek, but for the most part, it was isolated from the trail by either railings or brush. It was a very peaceful walk, with the sounds of the rushing water as the soundtrack, and offered plenty of absolutely stunning views. It was almost entirely shaded, which helped it feel cool and not stifling on a fairly hot summer afternoon. The trail was also very clearly laid out, and whereas sometimes Y will attempt to detour or go off into the brush, this time it was easier to stay on course. Definitely one of the most family-friendly and enjoyable trails we’ve visited!

    Note:
    Below I’ll address different elements that I take into consideration when planning in the hopes of clarifying any accessibility or suitability questions you may have as you plan your visit! These are all based on our personal experience (our oldest son is autistic and non-verbal, and we are a family of 5 with a 7-year-old, 6-year-old, and 2-year-old). I would suggest doing a quick search to ensure availability before heading out to avoid any disappointment (especially with changing health protocols, potential grounds upkeep, events, etc).

    Address
    There are a variety of entrances to the trail and addresses to accompany each. The main address we used to get close to our destination was
    1955 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5L 3A5. There was also an entrance about 0.3 km from U of T Mississauga, so you may be able to input that as an alternate address to locate the trail. See below for the parking address we used that was super convenient!

    Parking
    We found a parking lot with free parking directly across the street from an entrance to the trail. Following the trail from here allowed us great views of the creek as well as the ability to explore a variety of different terrain. The parking lot was located immediately next door to Sawmill Valley Public School at:

    3675 Sawmill Valley Dr
    Mississauga, ON
    L5L 2Z5

    I’ve included a photo in the gallery below with parking information.

    Terrain/Accessibility
    We found the terrain very manageable. The kids were all able to walk independently and while we remained cautious and vigilant of the creek alongside the trail, it was a very pleasant and easy hike. The terrain did change a few times from paved, to light, even gravel, to a fabricated boardwalk, to a wooden one. The paths were very wide, with ample room to pass anyone walking by and at no point did we feel too confined. The boardwalk had a rail on one side and not the other and Y attempted to step off of it a couple of times, so that is something to note or be aware of. Unlike Glen Stewart Ravine or Crawford Lake, it isn’t enclosed on both sides (links to both trails can be found below). Photos of the different paths and terrain are included in the gallery below.

    Quiet Spots
    Overall, the trail was very quiet. There was a small stretch where you could hear the sounds of traffic from nearby roads, apart from that, the sound of the creek was the main thing heard! There was a formation of rocks that the kids sat on near the creek to take a break about midway through, other than that there weren’t many places to sit and rest.

    Size of Location/Busyness
    We visited on a Sunday afternoon in July and it was not busy at all! We occasionally passed other families or people walking dogs, otherwise, it was very quiet!

    Variety of Activities
    As I mentioned above in the Terrain/ Accessibility portion, there are a variety of terrains to explore, as well as different areas where you can stop and look at the creek fairly closely. There was an underpass with a few different murals that was a fun photo spot as well! We passed families who were walking dogs or biking, both of which are great options as well, if applicable for your family. 

    Cost
    There was no cost to visit!

    Other helpful links in this series:
    Summer Adventures & Accessibility!
    What We Consider When Planning An Outing
    Guild Park and Gardens
    Glen Stewart Ravine
    Crawford Lake Conservation Area

  • Summer Adventures & Accessibility

    Summer Adventures & Accessibility

    I am so excited to share this series with you! M & I have always made adventures and outings a priority for our family and even more so after Y received his autism diagnosis at just 22 months old. At that time, N was 5 months old and had already had a NICU stay, two surgeries, and was an outpatient at two different hospitals, alternating appointments at each every two weeks. Getting out, even if it was for a walk to our neighborhood park, gave us an opportunity to take a deep breath and feel like we were just like any other ordinary family.

    I will be honest and tell you that it was not easy. Not at all. There’s one outing that stands out for me and my husband, specifically. We had spent the morning at the hospital in a pre-surgical consult for N. We were already emotional and trying not to let our concerns and fear overwhelm us, when we pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the zoo. At this point, Y was about three months away from being diagnosed and had already been to see an ophthalmologist and two audiologists to rule out different concerns. Regardless of those results coming back clear, we were continuing to advocate for a more in-depth assessment, specifically one that was focused on development. When we arrived at the zoo, there were plenty of other kids Y’s age around us. It was one of the first times we had gone out where this was the case. Usually our outings consisted more of indoor play places during off times or walks in the city exploring new sites, where there wasn’t necessarily as much interaction. I’ll never forget watching other toddlers run around and excitedly point out the animals, running right up to the fence, pointing, or making animal sounds. We looked over at Y who was fascinated with the grass. When we brought him to the animals, he couldn’t follow our pointing. Unless one came right up to the gate and was in his space, it was as if it wasn’t there. He wasn’t excited about the sights or activities that were offered and preferred to sit on M’s shoulders and calmly look around. Regardless of how hard we tried to encourage him to attend to everything that was offered around us, he was perfectly content just running around, or sitting and focusing on the grass, or whatever happened to catch his attention. We were already emotional from the pre-surgical consult and then to watch Y react so differently than every other kid at the zoo his age… I’ll just say that to this day that memory still stands out.

    Getting out has been difficult in other ways too. Everything from the length of lines resulting in unavoidable meltdowns, to not having a very specific preferred snack available, to inaccessible washrooms, to not enough variety for our kids and their very different abilities, and more. These are all topics I’ll address in a series of upcoming posts!

    While any parent can tell you that outings aren’t the easiest experience in the world, there’s an added level of awareness and preparation required when one of your kids has a diagnosis, whether cognitive, physical, a combination of the two, or another altogether. What I hope to relay with this series is that if you’re in a place where you’re ready to attempt this, if it’s something you want to try, or if you’re just looking for new ideas and tips, you’ll find endless support, encouragement, and a community here who gets it, free of judgement.

    I also hope that those who don’t need to take accessibility into account when planning their outings also find that they have something to gain from this. Maybe the next time you see a family park in an accessible parking spot when they don’t seem to have mobility issues, before any assumptions can even be made, you remember what you’ve read here. Maybe you’ll be better prepared if your child asks questions about someone stimming, or using a mobility device, or who they feel is “different.” Maybe you’ll recognize and appreciate the accessible accommodations available when you’re out that you may not have noticed before. And above all, maybe you’ll become an ally, someone who is willing and ready to also speak up for accessible accommodations, regardless of your personal needs, and be more aware of the different families enjoying a day out, just like you!

    Here’s a peek at upcoming posts in this series!

    #2 How We Choose An Outing 
    #3 Access 2
    #4 Invisible Disabilities
    #5 Five Favourite Trails Near Toronto

    Please let me know if there’s something you’d like me to focus on, look into, or discuss! I’m more than happy to take suggestions and share similar posts and experiences as well! You can comment below or send me an email (victoria@itsybitsybalebusta.com).