The Yorklands Green Hub
We are a non-profit organization working to secure public access on part of the former Ontario Reformatory lands at 785 York Rd. in Guelph. We aim to establish a community sustainable environments centre in the superintendent’s house with continuing outdoor enjoyment, education and research in building urban resilience.
This Walkathon is to draw attention to the natural and cultural beauty at this green space: the stone features, scenic meadows, streams, ponds and trails at this heritage parkland. It will also increase our memberships and resources to strengthen our operational outreach and advocacy for water stewardship, local food security and renewable energies. We are proposing a partnership for whoever ends up owning this landmark heritage site so that part of it is preserved for public use. Your support can also advance our programming like Polli-Patches, Sacred Heart Foodsters and Ten Tall Trees. (more details on our website)
Our fundraising goal
We are seeking $10,000 to expand our operational capacity during this exciting and important year for the future of the Guelph Correctional Centre. We will also use it to fund professional support as we move ahead.
At this moment the Yorklands Green Hub does not have charitable status so we are not able to issue charitable receipts. Your support is helping us achieve charitable status in the future.
How you can help
You, your family, or your dog can sign up as a walker in our “We Love Yorklands Walkathon”. During COVID, the walkathon is happening not on one day, but rather across the months of April and May. You can walk at your own pace, explore one or more of our routes alone or with your bubble, and learn interesting facts along the way.
As you walk we have several perks to express our gratitude to you and your sponsors. Here is some clarification on our perks!
There are three types of perks.
- All walkers and donors who contribute/raise $100 will receive a Yorklands Tote Bage and those who contribute/raise $500 will recieve a set of photo cards.
- The top fundraisers will get to choose from four pieces of art. The top fundraising dog will receive a bundle from Global Pet Foods.
- All walkers and donors will be entered into a draw to receive one of our many donated perks.
Options
This walkathon is designed for all movers and shakers - from those with mobility devices to our furry friends. You can register as:
- An Individual - walk by yourself and have your community rally behind you
- A Bubble - walk together with your bubble and make the walkathon a social event
- A dog - your canine pals can take the lead and compete for their own set of prizes!
Routes
There are six routes in this Walkathon ranging from 1.5-11km in length. Pick the route or routes that make most sense for you. Since the walkathon lasts all month long you can complete your route(s) at your own pace and spread your walking across multiple days.
Each route focuses on a different aspect of the Yorklands history and geography from the buildings, to the waterways, to the stones that built them.
Route A - Welcome Loop (1.5km) *This route is accessible
Walk along the historic drive and see some of Guelph’s century old limestone Heritage Buildings -including the Superintendent's House and the main Administrative Building
Route B - Blue Dot Loop (1.8km)
Our main loop for our monthly walking tours. Explore the main heritage features of the Yorklands and join us in dreaming about their future.
Route C - Spur Loop (2.2km)
Note the meadows, wetlands and remnant woodland edges on the Yorklands. These originally were used to grow food for the former Guelph Correctional Centre. Help us turn this space into a haven for native pollinators.
Route D - Pond Loop (3km)
Explore the many man-made ponds on the Yorklands and its surrounding area. These waterways were created by the inmates to manage flooding, stock fish, and learn about stonework.
Route E -Quarry Loop (5.8km)
Explore the various stonework on the Yorklands from the stone walls and bridges to the masonry of the main Administrative Building. This loop also connects to the historic quarry where these stones were collected.
Route F - River Loop (11km)
For those of you who want a challenge, this loop connects the Yorklands to downtown - following along the Eramosa River.
Next Steps
Sign up by clicking the register button above and share the link with your community. Using this platform they can donate online and follow along on your progress.
We also have a form here if you prefer to collect cheques and keep track on paper.
To complete your walk, take a photo in front of the Superintendents House and post it online using the hashtag #IloveYorklands
Perks
Thank you for raising $100! Spread the love the Yorklands around the community with a Yorklands branded tote bag.
Thank you for raising $500 for the Yorklands! Spread the love with this set of 8 photo cards.
“Clythe Creek Summer” 7” x 9” original acrylic on canvas board framed to 11” x 13” Sharyn Seibert is a Guelph painter, decorator, environmentalist and educator who believes in the healing power of nature. She takes inspiring hikes through Yorklands in all seasons and creates enchanted landscape paintings of this treasure in our community. Visit Sharyn’s website at https://sharynseibert.com to see a full range of small to large acrylic paintings. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C) "The Pond in Autumn Light" or D)Photo collage of Yorklands . The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
"Greta Thunberg" Felt Doll For as long as she can remember, Alison Hall has been in love with textiles and fibres. On discovering needle felting 15 years ago, (when needle felting was basically unheard of) she began creating character dolls, experimenting with different faces and facial expressions. In 2015, she opened her Etsy shop wishing to bring fibres, as well as local wool, to the public so others could try felting too. Her latest creations have been 2 feet tall “mini-me’s” that aren’t that mini when you consider all the stabbing involved! Learn More here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WoollyWonderlings The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either “Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
“The Pond in Autumn Light”. 10” x 10”, mounted in Acrylic Plexiglass Rosanne Morris is a Guelph artist who is inspired to create while “forest bathing”. Her recent discovery is the beauty of the Yorklands Green Hub. Visit Rosanne’s website https://rosannemorris.ca to see photo-based digital paintings which demonstrate her practise of “Miksang”, a Tibetan word for “good eye”. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
Yorklands Photo Montage (16"by 20") A collage of our best photos of the Yorklands. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
Fundraisers
Teams
Highlights
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Thank you for raising $100! Spread the love the Yorklands around the community with a Yorklands branded tote bag.
Thank you for raising $500 for the Yorklands! Spread the love with this set of 8 photo cards.
“Clythe Creek Summer” 7” x 9” original acrylic on canvas board framed to 11” x 13” Sharyn Seibert is a Guelph painter, decorator, environmentalist and educator who believes in the healing power of nature. She takes inspiring hikes through Yorklands in all seasons and creates enchanted landscape paintings of this treasure in our community. Visit Sharyn’s website at https://sharynseibert.com to see a full range of small to large acrylic paintings. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C) "The Pond in Autumn Light" or D)Photo collage of Yorklands . The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
"Greta Thunberg" Felt Doll For as long as she can remember, Alison Hall has been in love with textiles and fibres. On discovering needle felting 15 years ago, (when needle felting was basically unheard of) she began creating character dolls, experimenting with different faces and facial expressions. In 2015, she opened her Etsy shop wishing to bring fibres, as well as local wool, to the public so others could try felting too. Her latest creations have been 2 feet tall “mini-me’s” that aren’t that mini when you consider all the stabbing involved! Learn More here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WoollyWonderlings The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either “Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
“The Pond in Autumn Light”. 10” x 10”, mounted in Acrylic Plexiglass Rosanne Morris is a Guelph artist who is inspired to create while “forest bathing”. Her recent discovery is the beauty of the Yorklands Green Hub. Visit Rosanne’s website https://rosannemorris.ca to see photo-based digital paintings which demonstrate her practise of “Miksang”, a Tibetan word for “good eye”. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
Yorklands Photo Montage (16"by 20") A collage of our best photos of the Yorklands. The individual or bubble that raises the most funds will be have the ability to select either A)“Clythe Creek Summer”; B)"Greta Thunberg Doll"; C)"The Pond in Autumn Light"; or D)Photo collage of Yorklands. The three runner ups will receive the unselected perks Organizers will follow up with the top four fundraisers to coordinate delivery.
