Visiting Atkinson Park. What’s better, blue skies and cold weather or warmer weather and overcast skies? I take the blue skies and cold over the latter. Shorter days and no sun, that’s what I observed this winter. Lots of gloomy dark days, especially when there is no snow to make it brighter. Seeking crispy blue skies today was like drinking an energy boost drink.
Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.
Andy Goldsworthy
It was a spontaneous action to visit Atkinson Park. We were on Old Yonge Street, a street we often take to bypass St. John’s sideroad. “Let’s visit a playground,” I suggested. It’s fun even in the winter. There were no objections from the back of the car. What child would resist going to the playground?
Well, the snow on the ground revealed all the activities that have been going on at Atkinson Park: walking, sledding, walking dogs, and then it was us, leaving random footsteps everywhere. One could only figure out that it wasn’t a walk, but it was fun at the playground with a 7 year old.

Parks in Aurora look so much different in the winter. So much is revealed. I heard birds, lots of birds. I didn’t see those birds. I wasn’t prepared for birding anyway with only my mobile phone in my hand.


So we lasted in the park for about ten minutes. We didn’t have warm clothes as it was an unexpected visit but still a visit to remember. Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Family Day! A double treat!

If you are looking for the Atkinson Park, the park is located at 46 Twelve Oaks Drive and spans over 10.24 acres of land. The Atkinson Park wetland part can be enjoyed off the South side of St. John’s sideroad.

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, ON