Burlington's Cherry Hill Gate trails are Free and Offer Priceless Views

I will let you in on a best kept secret about Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens and a beautiful system of free trails to enjoy. To find Cherry Hill Gate, you simply head for Hendrie Park. You only pay a nominal fee for parking. It is located on plains road (Fairview street turns into Plains Road somewhere after driving west past Mapleview Mall.) Hendrie Park parking lot has a paid entrance where the manicured gardens are but if you head to the opposite, Northwest corner of the parking lot, you will discover an archway with Cherry Hill Gate on it. Bring your tiny black sunflower seeds to feed the birds. You can buy them in the bulk barn stores, or major grocery store. Plain peanuts (unroasted) work too. Be prepared to be amazed as the birds including chickadees, red-winged black birds and even woodpeckers come and eat right out of your hand. There is even one or two squirrels and chipmunks and some other bird types that like to socialize and take advantage of the take out meals in your hand. In the meantime, time stands still as you watch the wildlife, walk the trails, observe the blooms, and breathe honeysuckle in the air. This is one of our favourite places and we have even spotted elusive blue cranes here. Last week, we spent 5 hours here documenting beauty and lilies. It is a great way to refresh your day.

Baby Turtle, RBG, photo by Vlad Vorobyev.

Lilys in June, RBG, Burlington, Ontario. All photos Vlad Vorobyev.

Blooms you don’t want to miss at Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

Birds hopping across glorious lily pads, quite the show, for those who realize it’s all created for our enjoyment.

These Lilys in Ontario remind me of the Lotuses in Asia, decorating the ponds.

In case you wanted an instant replay, here again are the delicate and mighty lilies blooming this middle of June 2014 on the free trails at RBG.