Thursday, July 18, 2013

Recreation in Pickering

The City of Pickering has plenty of recreational opportunities for the whole family, from seniors to young children. Whether you have a 5 year old who dreams of being an artist, a 14 year old with an interest in leadership, or an 11-year-old who just wants to spend the day on their skateboard, there are a variety of summer camps available for children and youths from ages 3 to 15. For fitness enthusiasts age 13 and better, there are a number of registered and drop-in programs available at the Pickering Recreation Complex, including Zumba, Fitness Kick Boxing, Yoga, Cycle Fit, and more, not to mention the variety of indoor racquet sports! There is also public swimming at both the PRC and the Dunbarton Indoor Pool, and public skating in the winter at the many arenas throughout the city. And for those more interested in art and culture than physical activity, the Pickering Museum Village has plenty to see and do, and there are plenty of musical and visual art events throughout the year! Visit Pickering today to see for yourself all there is to do, or contact us for more information.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Recreation in Ajax

If the great outdoors alone are not enough to get you active and you're looking for something more structured, or you're short on resources for a favourite activity, the Ajax community has plenty to offer. The I CAN?Get Active Strategy offers many free or low-cost programs in Ajax, including snowshoe loans during the winter, and organizes the Run Ajax Waterfront Half-Marathon & 5K. For adults and seniors, there are a variety of dance, sport, and swimming programs, as well as art programs and general interest programs. For children and youths, the city offers swimming lessons, summer camps, Friday night fun centres and youth dances, and a number of drop-in programs. Spring and summer registered fitness classes are very popular, and there are a variety of health centres and personal trainers available to help you keep fit year-round. Public swims and public skates are arranged at appropriate points throughout the year, and if you're looking to exercise your community spirit rather than your body there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for youths and adults alike. So come visit Ajax today! We assure you that boredom will be hard to come by.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Getting Outdoors in Pickering

220 hectares of open space and parkland, 85 parks, 3 conservation areas, and numerous sports fields. 5 kilometers of publicly accessible Lake Ontario waterfront, including 2.7 kilometers of beach. The numbers are substantial, but they simply don't do justice to the recreation opportunities in Pickering. From baseball to skateboarding, from cricket to bocci, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and be active within the city. The pool at Petticoat Creek Conservation Area is under construction while a new aquatic entertainment facility is built, but its 70 hectares remain open for trail usage, picnicking, and exploration of local flora and fauna. The north half of Greenwood Conservation Area is managed by the City of Pickering while the south half is managed by the Town of Ajax. Activities such as hiking, cross country skiing, fishing, and bird watching are available throughout the conservation area. Many small parks throughout the city also include 'Tot Lot' playgrounds where children can play safely while guardians take their ease on available benches. And for those with 'fur kids', Pickering's Grand Valley Park has two designated leash-free areas: one west of the parking lot at the bottom of the hill, and one closer to the parking lot for mobility-impaired pet owners or those with small dogs. There is even more that we haven't the time to discuss here, so be sure to come explore and see for yourself how much there is to do outdoors in Pickering!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Getting Outdoors in Ajax

Ajax has plenty ot offer any outdoors enthusiast. Public waterfront property totals over 150 acres and includes seven kilometers of paved trails, three washroom facilities, and thirteen points of interest from Duffins Marsh to Lakeside Park. Many trails extend north from the waterfront, ideal for walkers, runners, and cyclists looking to escape the city bustle.  The Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee offers guided walks/hikes along these trails every month from April through to December, offering a great way to meet new people and be sure that you see ALL of the trails! Overall the Town of Ajax has 600 hectares of parks and 74 kilometers of pathways, and has plans to continue expanding its naturalization program. There are also over 70 playgrounds in the area, as well as 37 soccer fields, 18 baseball diamonds, 16 tennis courts, 9 basketball courts,  2 skateboard parks, 2 splash pads, and a cricket pitch. Five outdoor skating rinks are arranged during the winter, in addition to the indoor skating available at the Village Arena and the Ajax Community Centre. And for those fond of cross country skiing, or camping in warmer months, Greenwood Conservation Area can easily accomodate you. With so much and more to do outdoors, you'll hardly need to return to your home in Ajax!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Pickering Neighbourhoods - Whitevale

Whitevale is steeped in a surprising amount of history for a community of its size. Formerly known as Majorville, it was settled in the 1820s. Truman P. White moved to Majorville around 1845, and began expanding the town in 1855, eventually building a gristmill, a cooperage, a planing factory, a mill, and a new school. It was in acknowledgement of T.P. White's contributions that the town changed its name to Whitevale. The town continued to experience tremendous growth including multiple factories and lodges until a railway line bypassed Whitevale. Around the same time, the town's poor luck with fires and flooding began. Many of the original buildings were gutted or destroyed by fire between 1874 and 1961, while the original Whitevale Bridge was washed out by a flood in 1929, and the approaches to the bridge were washed out by Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

As for the present and future of the town, Whitevale is a wonderful community in which to live. Duffins Creek has abundant opportunities for fishing, while the Seaton Hiking Trail offers some lovely scenery. The community hosts a variety of annual events year-round, from the Whitevale Christmas Craft Show or the Whitevale Winter Blah's Festival to the Fisherman's Breakfast or Whitevale Church's annual Corn Roast. With all of this and more to offer, stop by Whitevale today or contact us to learn more about finding a home for sale in the area!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Pickering Neighbourhoods - Claremont

Claremont is a humble rural hamlet in the north end of Pickering. The majority of its population is bulit around Central Street west of Brock Road, extending further north along Old Brock Road. Claremont Public School is the only school located within the community, though the office of the Durham District School Board is located just a few blocks away. Much of the surrounding area is occupied by farmland, leaving Claremont as a very close-knit pocket of community spirit surrounded by greenery -- or by white in the winter, when the Claremont Winter Carnival takes place each year including a variety of events and contests. And from Ash's Lashes and Esthetics to Williams Towing Service Ltd., there are plenty of local businesses offering whatever you need. Claremont really is a fantastic place to live, so contact us today if you are interested in the real estate market here!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Ajax Neighbourhoods - Audley

Located in the northeastern corner of Ajax, Audley is a small community which you could say is one part agriculture, one part residential, and two parts pleasure. Audley is home to the Ajax Sportsplex which features five well-kept baseball diamonds, two large soccer fields, five smaller fields, a playground, a basketball court, and more. Audley is also home to the Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, where members can play up to 72 holes of golf across 4 challenging and visually stunning courses, or host a high-class event to be talked about for years to come. The Ajax Riding Academy is located just north along Audley Road, and the suburban neighbourhoods in the southwest of the neighbourhood are a great place to call home. So drop by for a visit, or visit our website for information about the available houses for sale!