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10 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY,OCTOBER 04, 2012 preserve and beautify the ruins which are a popular spot for both weddings and film shoots. The ruins were booked for a wedding almost every weekend of the summer, and there are five or six already booked ­ at $950 for the day ­ for next season. Throughout the summer, staff ­ Dixon and his assistant and 16 season workers, most of them students ­ offered visitor programming including Beginning Birder, Swamp Tromp, and Rock Walk with a Messy Ending," a leisurely stroll to a large limestone cave where the bravest crawled into a tunnel for a good look. Various guided hikes showed off the limestone cliffs and potholes created 16,000 years ago by the retreating glacier, ancient Cedar trees and prime fishing spots. Dixon said while the park is officially closed as of October 15, there is a "fair bit of traffic" through the site on weekends with people hiking and walking their dogs. He said the GRCA is trying to determine if there is a business plan for opening year-round. "We've got a few more studies to do to make sure that it looks like it would be viable...we might provide a plowed access and parking and it would just be winter activities, maybe some snow shoeing and winter visitor services ­ I don't know if winter camping would go," Dixon said, adding that funding is the issue as the GRCA does not fund recreational activities through tax dollars and activities would have to be paid for through gate receipts. Dixon said with the family atmosphere of the area, they have very few problems and in most instances, the dozen or so evictions each year are alcohol-related. "This park is really quiet," Dixon said, adding that on-line reservations open in midJanuary and since they are often fully booked, "less desirables" who did not book ahead can't get in to cause trouble. The Rockwood Conservation Area celebrates its 50th anniversary next year and Dixon said they are in the midst of planning for the celebration, which could include a public open house weekend. Another successful season at Rockwood Conservation Area The last marshmallow of the summer will be roasted over a Rockwood Conservation Area campfire next weekend as the popular 105-site park/ campground closes for the season on October 14. Wi t h a p p r o x i m a t e ly 50,000 paid visitors from May through October, it was a busy year at the 197-acre park, owned and managed by the Grand River Cons e r v a t i o n A u t h o r i t y. The "couple of thousand people" through the gates over the July 1 long weekend was the busiest day ever, closely followed by the August 1 long weekend as crowds enjoyed the clean beach, historic setting, great trails and spacious campgrounds, including 40 un-serviced ten and camp trailer sites and 65 sites offering hydro and water. Park Superintendent Brad Dixon said they expected the ser viced sites to be full this Thanksgiving weekend, but only half of the non-serviced sites were booked. Drawing campers and day-trippers from all over the GTA and west through KitchenerWaterloo areas, Dixon lamented that "locals" seem to take the area for granted. "For some, maybe it's too close to home, and they think that they can't go five minutes from home and have fun," Dixon said on Friday, adding the area as something for everyone, from scenic trails, glacial potholes, spacious campsites, boat and canoe rentals, mill ruins and mini-golf. One of the main draws to the site is the Harris woolen mill ruins, where the mill was powered by water from the Eramosa River. After the mill closed in 1925, the Harris family operated a private park on the site, and the GRCA bought the mill and surrounding land in 1959 and developed the Rockwood Conservation Area. Dixon said with $850,000 in funding ­ $755,000 in a federal infrastructure grant and the balance from the GRCA and its Foundation ­ the mill ruins underwent a major refurbishment/ stabilization last year. Deteriorating walls were rebuilt, stonework was re-pointed, arches rebuilt and landscaping done to Check out our FREE workshops this fall to help improve the health and quality of life of those living in East Wellington HEART HEALTH NUTRITION Rockwood: Tuesday,Oct 16 9:30 am ­ 11:30 am WALK FIT ­ 6 WEEK WALKING GROUP Erin: Starting Friday Oct 5 9:00 am PRE-DIABETES: YOUR CHANCE TO CHANGE THE FUTURE Erin: Tuesday Oct 23 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES Erin: Tuesday Oct 9 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Rockwood: Thursday Oct 4 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm HEALTHY YOU- 6 WEEK SERIES Erin: Thursday Oct 4th, Oct 11, Oct 18, Oct 25 9:30 am - 11:30 am Rockwood: Tuesday Oct 2, Oct 9, Oct 16,Oct 23, Oct 30 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm RELAXATION AND STRESS MANAGEMENT Erin: Thursday Oct 4 7:15 - 8:45 pm DIABETES DROP IN Rockwood: Oct 29th 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm To registar please go to www.ewfht.ca and click on workshops or call Leah at 519-833-9396 Ext 362. Erin Location: Erin WEllnEss CEntrE - 6 thompson CrEsCEnt Rockwood Location: roCkWood CliniC - 175 AlmA