5 (Not-So-Secret) Secrets About Burlington
There’s a sense of fun when discovering something new
in your city & this completely non-exhaustive list shares
places to visit & secrets to use to your advantage in Burlington, Ontario.
- 1 -
Labyrinths
Let’s start with some calming moments of reflection at one of our 2 labyrinths.
Our first one is located in Central Park; a stone's throw from the Guelph Line parking lot.
According to the City’s website, it was designed with 11 circuits
& influenced by the designs at Chartres Cathedral.
Built in 2005, it was also the first
wheelchair-accessible labyrinth in Canada.
The other one is located on the eastern tip of Joseph Brant Hospital
& while it was fairly unknown by most locals previously,
the testing clinic entrance is right there, so the secret might be out on this one!
Now, if you’re wondering how anyone could
find calm in a maze - the answer is, it’s not a maze!
It’s a path that methodically works its way into the centre & back out again.
One way in, one way out.
You just have to follow.
Labyrinths are designed to help you align, be present, and offer an opportunity to find inner calm.
If you’re local & need some space to reflect, this is one way in the city to do it!
- 2-
Mapleview Centre
Mapleview Centre is one of Burlington’s two shopping malls
& considering the draw during peak shopping seasons,
which leads to long cues trying to just get into or out of
the parking lot,
this next tip is worth noting.
If you plan to arrive at the mall heading
westbound along Fairview, most people turn left onto Maple.
Still, if you go against your instinct & sit in the far right lane,
there’s a ramp that takes you up, then over the busy road below allowing
you to sneak in the back way, or sideway depending on how you look at it.
- 3 -
Magnetic Hill
Burlington is home to a very special hill on an even more special hill.
The first special hill is the Magnetic Hill.
One of these little knolls here is so magic, you can put your vehicle in neutral
& the magnetic hill will pull you up, against gravity!
Or so it seems at least.
There are no actual magnets involved, but there are some pretty sweet optical illusions.
If you couldn’t get the magnetic hill to cooperate, there are some great
hiking trails just up the
road to explore (so it’s not all for nothing) or bring your furry friend along
&
visit the dog park after you’re illusioned out.
Now for the even more special hill…
just past the magnetic hill, the road starts to climb up the side of the escarpment. This is a very special ecosystem & home to the endangered Jefferson Salamander.
Of course, these amazing creatures don’t understand the dangers of a road...
So, every year since 2012 the City of Burlington blocks access in March during their
mating season to help the species survive & hopefully one day thrive again.
- 4 -
Paletta Mansion
Beautiful Paletta Mansion - this isn’t so much of a secret & I’ve even covered it before in another video,
but it isn’t well known that as a city-run park space, you’re welcome to come to explore the grounds
& take in the splendour of the character features of this 1930s-built estate home.
With mulch trails, water access, gardens
& green space, it’s definitely worth a visit!
- 5 -
Artistic Installations
If you have an affinity for the arts, you’ll definitely love
exploring Burlington’s more than 50 artistic installations throughout the city...
the individual total is closer to 100, but I’m grouping the decorative but functional benches & bike racks together in my tally.
From
murals to sculptures, interpretive benches to cultural influence,
there’s a lot to explore throughout Burlington.
Some of my favourites are...
- Ecological Impact: A representation of what would happen if we drop the ball by losing the bees & pollinators.
- The Bird Conversations: Which is immersive for kids being a sound & sight display tucked into the trees surrounding Fothergill Playground.
- Crescendo (Rising Wave) which, in short, represents the movement & coming together of the community.
- There is also the Terry Fox monument at Spencer Smith Park to commemorate Terry’s Marathon Of Hope & mark his 3,582nd KM on his run across Canada in July 1980 in an effort to raise money for cancer research.
If you're curious about Burlington or have any questions about living in the area,
feel free to reach out - I'm happy to chat 😊
Your Genuine Realtor®,
Rochelle Edwards
Broker
The Genuine Blog
