Another festive Family Day in Falls
Museum, Heartland Forest offer activities
Puppets, pythons and little princesses. All part of Family Day in Niagara Falls Monday.
With a fresh layer of snow and the day off from school and work, hundreds of families took advantage of free events at two of the city’s prime destinations, Niagara Falls History Museum and Heartland Forest.
“It’s quite often our biggest day of the year,” said Clark Bernat, the city’s culture and museums manager. “Last (Family Day) was arguably our biggest day since our opening. We had about 1,200 people out last year.”
Along with a scavenger hunt, a printing press display and free admission to all exhibitions, the conservation group Earth Rangers did four shows throughout the day.
The Woodbridge-based group brought along an American Kestrel (falcon), a ball python, a Harris’s hawk and a prehensiletailed porcupine.
“And a skunk, just in case,” said educator Rebecca Rice.
The group does about 1,000 elementary school shows per year, spreading the message of conservation and biodiversity.
“(The kids) are so eco-conscious,” said Rice. “This year our main focus is climate change, and we always ask the students when we first come in, ‘Have you ever heard of climate change before?’ and everyone raises their hands.
“They say, ‘The ice caps are melting, the polar bears are losing their habitat,’ … they’re so aware of it.”
At Heartland Forest, owner
Dan Bouwman watched the usual 2,000 or so people enjoy his barrier-free nature sanctuary just off Kalar Road.
The property, completely wheelchair accessible to honour Bouwman’s late granddaughter Sydney, offered about 20 events and activities throughout the day, most of them free.
It is Heartland Forest’s busiest day of the year and it never fails to humble Bouwman, who at nearly 72 still runs Dan’s Produce Ltd.
“It’s all sharing and caring for others,” he said. “I cannot tell you how good it feels.”
Bouwman purchased the 37hectare facility in 2000 with a loan from Niagara Falls philanthropist Frank Branscombe, and has since built it into the awardwinning standard for accessibility. It is constantly being added to — a structure to house 3,000 bats will arrive soon — and Family Day is where many local residents first discover it.
“He said he was “overwhelmed” watching his parking lot fill up to overflow again. He arrived at 6 a.m. and is usually one of the last to leave.
“You look around and they’re all smiling. I’m so blessed.”
Heartland Forest CAO Elisabeth Graham said Family Day has become a true community event at the venue.
“I think people are really starting to get Heartland Forest,” she said. “That we’re unique in our passion for all abilities and all ages. By coming out to an event like this, they’re part of that.”