点评:Malcomson Eco Park is a wonderful wooded area just a stone throw away from Lock 1 in St. Catharines. It is one of those places that can easily be overlooked, but is well worth a visit if you enjoy nature, walking and birdwatching.
There are several access points around the park, although I found the main entrance, with the Malcomson Eco Park signage and nearby parking, to be the most convenient. The park has a dense forest canopy, which keeps the trails damp and, in places, a little muddy and slippery. Good walking shoes with a decent grip are definitely recommended, particularly after rain. Other than that, the trails are relatively easy and make for a pleasant walk or jog. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was the birdlife. There are numerous quaint bird feeders hanging from the trees, and if you take your time and remain patient, you can spot quite a variety of birds moving through the forest. It adds a lovely touch to an already peaceful setting.
On the northern edge of the park, there is a small landscaped area with an informative historical display and benches overlooking the Welland Canal. The site honours Cyril and Ethel Williamson, who lived and worked as lighthouse keepers at the nearby Port Weller Lighthouse from 1946 until it was decommissioned in 1969. It is an interesting piece of local history and a lovely place to sit and take in the view.
Overall, I found Malcomson Eco Park to be a peaceful and enjoyable natural retreat right within St. Catharines. It is ideal for a leisurely walk, a jog, birdwatching, or simply spending some quiet time surrounded by nature.
Truly a hidden gem for nature lovers — especially during summer and early fall.
翻译:马尔科姆森生态公园是一片美丽的林区,距离圣凯瑟琳斯的第一水闸仅一步之遥。这里是个很容易被忽视的地方,但如果你喜欢大自然、徒步旅行或观鸟的话,绝对值得一去。
公园周围有几个入口,不过我觉得带有“马尔科姆森生态公园”标识且配有停车场的主入口最为便利。园内树木茂密,使得小径上总是湿漉漉的,在某些地方甚至……有点泥泞且湿滑。强烈建议穿上抓地力良好的徒步鞋,尤其是在雨后。除此之外,步道相对平缓易行,非常适合散步或慢跑。我最喜欢的部分就是这里的鸟类了。树上挂着许多别致的喂鸟器,只要你耐心等待,就能看到各式各样的鸟儿在林间穿梭。这为本就宁静的环境增添了不少趣味。在公园的北端,有一片精心设计的区域,那里设有介绍历史信息的展板,还有可以俯瞰韦兰运河的长椅。此处是为了纪念西里尔和埃塞尔·威廉姆森夫妇——他们自1946年起就在附近的韦勒港灯塔担任守灯人,直至该灯塔于1969年停用。这是一段有趣的本地历史,也是一个适合坐下欣赏景色的好地方。
总的来说,我觉得马尔科姆森生态公园是圣凯瑟琳斯市内一处宁静宜人的自然胜地。这里非常适合悠闲散步、慢跑、观鸟,或者单纯在大自然中享受一段宁静的时光。
对于热爱大自然的人来说,这里绝对是个隐藏的宝藏之地——尤其在夏季和初秋时节。