History of Hague Park and its neighbourhood in Scarborough

A walk that combines natural, social, business, and urban engineering history, all rolled up into one concentrated area in a part of Scarborough that has probably fallen beneath your notice. We will visit and talk about Hague Park and its natural features as one of the city's few ESA's (Environmentally Significant Areas) -- think very tall trees and uncommon plants. While we're doing that, we'll discuss the natural and built history of Highland Creek which runs through the park. We'll look for evidence of sawmills that once dotted the creek. Their sawdust played a large role in "shrinking" the waterway. Other landmarks include the Highland Creek Mural, a new indigenous art display above and below the Bellamy Road overpass next to Hague Park. It commemorates the Wendat people who lived in the area hundreds of years ago.We will examine the language and symbols in the artwork. Then there is the story of the "Molly's Way" wooden sign with paw prints attached to a tree in Hague Park, and the nearby "mysterious" concrete structure about which we seek to know more before the walk! Finally, we will visit the nearby historic Wheler House, home of businessman J.P. Wheler, built in the Georgian style in 1867.