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Alexander Milne
first settled the northern end of the valley now known as Wilket
Creek after the War of 1812. From this period until the 1950's it
was known as Milne Creek. The name Wilket Creek originally referred
to a tributary of the East Don River nearly three miles further
north. The park was developed by Metropolitan Toronto in 1960 to
provide a suitable link between Edwards Gardens (originally the
Milne settlement) and Serena Gundy Park.
Wilket Creek
Park is well-known for its mature coniferous and deciduous forest
communities. Depending on soil moisture, light, and orientation
of the ravine slopes, mature stands of Eastern Hemlock, Sugar Maple,
American Beech, Red Oak and Hop Hornbeam thrive along the valley
walls. Moist marshes and groundwater seeps that flow towards the
creek provide the dampness needed by the ferns, cattail marshes
and wet scrub communities along the floodplain. A diversity of species
may be found within the valley including such rare plants as Canada
Sicklepod, Snakerood, and New York Fern. Some uncommon bird species
have also visited here as a stop-off point during seasonal migrations.
This narrow, winding ravine has also benefitted from a number of
wildflower plantings and natural regeneration projects.
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