Now that we are fully into the Fall season with the dropping of leaves and gardens being readied for winter, it seems to be a good time to recall one of our Spring outings. This was a trip to Port Credit to walk along the lake shore and to visit the famous Rhododendron Gardens.
We began by meeting in the municipal parking lot (free!) next to the Snug Harbour restaurant south of Lake Shore Road and on the east bank of the Credit River, which is off Stavebank Road about 1 Kilometer west of Hurontario Street.
We crossed the bridge over the Credit River, past the old lighthouse and headed down the mouth of the Credit and the shore of Lake Ontario.
On the way, we passed a high-rise condo building with magnificent views of the harbour and lake.
As we passed through the parkland into the area that used to be an Imperial oil refinery, we noticed the advertising for new condos that are finally being built in the property that has had to be remediated because of pollution.
At the end of the trail beside the lake, we went north one block and turned left (west) and that street takes us to the entrance to the gardens.
These gardens are also accessible from Lake Shore Road but the walk along the lake is much more scenic.
Once inside the gardens, we were enthralled by the variety and colour of the blooms. Rhododendrons bloom at different times, according to the variety, so we had missed some that were finished blooming and others that were still in bud. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a vibrant display of colour. Here are a few examples:
As a bonus, the redbud trees were in full bloom at the time of our visit.
After viewing the gorgeous blooms, we returned to the Credit River and, just over the bridge, on the north side of Lake Shore Road, we had lunch at Papa Giuseppe’s, a small restaurant that serves excellent Italian food.
Our favourite was the mushroom melt on flatbread.
Everyone was happy with the food!
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 