Displaying items by tag: visit
Winter Trail
The Kemptville Winter Trail is a groomed, multi-use and free access pathway of slightly greater than five kilometres. With tracks set for classic cross country skiing, and a groomed multi-use section for skate-skiing, walking and fat-biking, the Kemptville Winter Trail, or KeWi, was formed and is maintained by a group of volunteers. Winding through the Arboretum and recreational area, on forest trails and around the perimeter of nursery fields adjacent to the forest, the trail provides beautiful views and an accessible way to enjoy nature during the winter. The KeWI is not open to motorized vehicles, although some areas cross the Kemptville Snowmobile Klub’s groomed trails.
For the latest updates on trail conditions, events and to see maps of the trail, visit the Kemptville Winter Trail Facebook page.
Disc Golf Course
The Kemptville Disc Golf Club, formed in 2021 by a group of dedicated community volunteers and passionate disc golfers, operates an 18 hole course on approximately 18 acres of the Ferguson Forest Centre. The KDGC welcomes members of all levels, with a mission to promote and foster the community benefits of disc golf through organization, cooperation, and competition.
Immediately popular upon opening in 2021, in 2022, the KDGC expanded from 9 to 18 holes through mowed meadow and wooded forest, and plans to host two tournaments. Complete with a fun league and nighttime ‘glow rounds', the KDGC has undeniable appeal for people who want to enjoy the outdoors in a natural setting while having fun and getting exercise along the way.
This course is free to play. Those who wish to support the KDGC and their work can purchase an optional membership. Not sure where and how to start? If you are a member of the North Greenville Public Library, you can borrow disc sets, and learn the basics of disc golf techniques, rules and etiquette with an easy online search.
For more information and to keep up to date on the KDGC activities, please visit and follow their Facebook page.
The Giving Garden
“Where you do not see the example, be the example; where you do not see hope, be the hope.”
Terry McEvoy (1958 – 2009)
The Giving Garden is a space for all members of the community. Originally an unused part of the Ferguson Forest Centre, the Garden is now a well-tended and growing part of the community. It is run entirely by volunteers, supported generously by the Ferguson Forest Centre staff, who assist seasonally with irrigation and cultivating.
Anyone may come, anytime, to plant, to nurture, to harvest – and with the harvest, to give. It is a place for you to take a break, to learn, and, in time, to fill a need: flowers for a friend, tomatoes for a shut-in, sweet corn for the charity barbecue...the plants which are grown here will be given, the time to care for them given, and, in time, the harvest will all be there for giving...by you.
Consider this an invitation to come and see the garden for yourself. It's on Highway 43, part of the Ferguson Forest Centre, off Anniversary Way. The Garden is a beautiful park-like setting, thanks to a most giving community, and with time, energy and the ongoing help of volunteers this welcoming spot will beckon visitors to return time and again. It is your Giving Garden, stop in anytime to plant a seed, pull a weed--or fill a need.
To learn more, or to discover how you can give of your time, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
See the sections below for more information about the Giving Garden. As well, please visit us on Facebook for more up to date information.
Memorial Park
The Veterans Way Memorial Park is a special site of remembrance and reflection that was created to honour all those that served, and continue to serve, in the Canadian, British and United States of America Armed Forces.
Visit the website of Memorial Park
Ferguson Forest Dog Park
The Ferguson Forest Dog Park is a fully-fenced and well-equipped dog park within the boundaries of the Ferguson Tree Nursery. The dog park offers both open and treed areas for large dogs and a separate area for the comfort and security of small dogs.
Visit the website of the Ferguson Forest Dog Park
Arboretum
What is an arboretum?
The word “arboretum” comes from the latin “arbor” or tree and “etum” or place - in sum meaning tree place. While there are numerous definitions for the word “arboretum”, the essence of many of those definitions include … a place where trees, shrubs and herb like plants are cultivated and kept for the enjoyment of the general population as well as for educational and scientific study.
The Ferguson Forest Centre Arboretum is a learning, activity and contemplation area for public use and enjoyment.
Covering approximately 10 hectares (25 acres), the arboretum site is located in the south-eastern side of the Ferguson Forest Centre, west of the Kemptville Creek (South Branch) and Turtle Trail , north of County Road 43 and Anniversary Park and on the east side of Honour way, opposite the off-leash dog park (i.e. Ferguson Forest Dog Park). Currently the arboretum is a quiet park like environment ideal for public use and enjoyment. Included amongst the manicured lawn areas, tree planted areas and naturalized areas are stone dust paths, linkages to the Turtle Trail and Anniversary Park, a play hill, park benches, picnic tables and a parking lot.
The Arboretum helps us fulfill some of the objectives for the Ferguson Forest Centre, promoting interest in and study of forestry and undertaking activities that promote recreational and conservation activities in the community.
Future Plans
Drawing from the arboretum concept plan and building upon the current site, additional improvements are envisioned over the next five (5) busy years. The arboretum will demonstrate (principally) the use of local native tree and planting materials in natural, decorative and specialized (e.g. slope stabilization or erosion control) applications. As well as providing a tree “showroom” for the Ferguson Forest Nursery, the trees will also provide a local seed source, promote educational awareness and conservation as well as support native wildlife and ecology. There will also be themed beds placed in a more formalized garden area or otherwise strategically located on site.
New or enhanced features to be included over the years are:
- Main and trail linkage gateways to the site
- Main gateway sign
- Site defining fencing along Honour Way
- Park furniture such as benches and picnic tables
- Waste disposal containers
- Pergola
- Gazebo
- Rock delineated teaching amphitheatre
- Defined event area
- Commemorative and contemplative area including a labyrinth
- Internal site and trail linkage directional signage
- Interpretive panels
- Site map
- Tree identify labels
- Hedgerow site line clearing
- Strategic and supplemental plantings
- Black cherry tree lined east-west accessible path
- Defined welcoming area
Interpretive panels are planned to provide educational and scientific information on features such as the:
- Pine Plantation and Kinderwood
- Pitch Pines
- Themed plantings
- Themed beds
- Wildlife areas
- Inverted water table area
Subjects of other panels will include a large site map and a history of the Ferguson Forest Centre and forestry in Eastern Ontario.
Hopefully the arboretum will, over the generations, serve as a pleasant outdoor and natural environment destination that provides the public with enjoyable recreational opportunities as well as forestry and conservation educational experiences.