About Us
Eagles Nest Park is owned and maintained by the Town of Bancroft. The Stewards of Bancroft Eagles Nest Park is a not-for-profit organization that works in cooperation with the Town to develop new educational and recreational programs in the park. The Stewards are also pursuing new opportunities for trail expansion into the lands adjacent to the current park.
The Stewards of Eagles Nest Park was formed following a successful Canada 150 project, funded by the Government of Canada, that resulted in an interpretive trail that highlights early Indigenous presence in the area, early European settlement, the geology and flora and fauna in the park.
A more recent project, under Hastings Destination Trails Inc. included trail refurbishments and the building of an accessible trail to the popular Hawkwatch viewing platform. The Town rebuilt the platform to be fully accessible so everyone can enjoy the magnificent vista over the York River valley.
- Please do not leave anything valuable in your car. If you do experience a break-in, be sure to report it to law enforcement authorities.
- Please do not leave food along the trails as it can be an attraction to wildlife, including bears.
- Please do not drink unpurified water from open streams or ponds. Bring water from home.
- Be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to report your location by trail name and distance from significant landmarks or trailheads in the event of an emergency.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking water regularly.
- Avoid getting lost by staying with your group, staying on the trail, and paying attention to trail markers. If lost, either backtrack or use a cell phone to call for assistance.
- Avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be deadly. Stay cool and avoid the sun in the heat of the day. Drink plenty of water. Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing that blocks and reflects the sun.
- Avoid hypothermia by staying dry, wearing appropriate layered clothes (no cotton), avoiding exposure to wind, drinking plenty of water, and eating high-energy food in cold weather to stay warm.
- Avoid insect pests by learning which insects are prevalent in your area at the time you are on the trail by wearing protective clothing, avoiding perfumes/shampoos, and soaps, and covering exposed areas of your body with insect repellent.
- Avoid exposed areas when thunderstorms may occur. Take cover in advance of a storm and stay away from tall trees and bodies of water. Take off metal backpacks. Crouch down on dry ground with an insulating object under your feet.
- Avoid poisonous plants by learning to recognize poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Avoid contact by wearing long pants and sleeves in areas where poisonous plants occur and washing your clothes when you leave the trail.
- Be prepared for inclement weather by checking the weather forecast before you hit the trail. Be aware of signs of worsening weather and prepare to take an alternate route or return to your vehicle. Carry alternate clothing, plenty of food and water, and map and compass if necessary.
- Be prepared for adverse trail conditions, including fallen trees, washouts, floodwaters, and patches of ice and deep snow.
- Be friendly and courteous.
- Take only pictures. Leave what you find.
- Please do not pick vegetation.
- If you carry it in, carry it out.
- Stay on the trail. Shortcutting the trail and bypassing muddy areas destroys vegetation, leads to erosion, reduces habitat quality, causes unsightly damage to the landscape, and may destroy culturally significant areas.
- Avoid using trails when they are excessively muddy.
- Respect wildlife. Keep your distance. Never feed wild animals.
- Respect private property.
- Respect other visitors and their experience. Avoid excessive noise.
- Dogs are welcome but please always keep your dog under control and pick up after your pet.
- Follow “Leave No Trace” principles.
- Use the bear-proof garbage receptacles at the trail hear.
- Share the trail. Keep to the right except to pass. When in doubt, give the other user the right of way. Warn people when you are planning to pass.
You can contribute to the success of Bancroft’s Eagles Nest Park by helping in one or more of the following ways.
- Join the board of directors to help guide the future of the park
- Participate in a work bee
- Greet individuals participating in nature-themed experiences
- Help organize or participate in a fundraiser
- Monitor social media
Email us at eaglesnestparkbancroft@gmail.com or send us a message on the Bancroft Eagles Nest Park FB page to let us know you are interested.
