This is a good spot for warblers during spring migration. You can also observe waterfowl on the Trent Canal.

Content from Official Website:

Location and Use

The Canal Nature Area is located at the south end of Nassau Campus, Trent University, bordered by the Trent Canal, Nassau Mills Road, University Road, and the southern boundary of Trent University Symons Campus property. This area is well-used for hiking.

Physical Description

This Nature Area includes a stream that flows from University Road (coming originally from the Archaeology Centre Wetland Nature Area) through to the Trent Canal. Several of the trails have boardwalks that cross the river and wetland areas.

Ecosystems and Species

Many different ecosystems can be found in this Nature Area, from cedar forests to deciduous forests to wetlands. There are three wetlands in this nature area.

Environmental Concerns

This Nature Area is fairly well used, and experiences some stress from this at times. We ask all dog walkers scoop and take out your dog's poop! 

There are also issues with invasive species (such as dog strangling vine, present in the south of the Nature Area). This is also subject to stress from the busy University Road and Nassau Mills Road corridors, both from traffic and road maintenance when performed. It is in the City of Peterborough Transportation Plan that in the near future University Road will undergo a significant re-construction.

Nature Area History

Originally this Nature Area was known as the Snow and Biological Research Area; its name was changed to the Canal Nature Area in the late 1990s. In 2008 Trent University established the John de Pencier Nature Trail in the Canal Nature Area, in honour of John de Pencier, who passed in late 2018 (read Trent's News about him here). In 2011 the other main trail in the Canal Nature Area, the Morton Family Trail, was revitalized, widening the trail paths adding benches for sitting along the Canal, and an updated trail map 

Trent University campus and natural areas

Trails, Access, and Points of Interest

The Canal Nature Area features a large trail network branching out from a main access point off University Road. Parking is available in the Wildlife Sanctuary parking lot across the road; some also park on the side of University Road (be careful, as traffic is busy at times).

Two main trail systems traverse the Canal Nature Area, offering views over the Trent Canal and its banks (some from a significant height above the Canal), and others of the Otonabee Valley. Be careful in spring and after ice storms and melts, as some of the trails can become very slippery. The trails are sort of split into a north route and a south route (with connections between):

• The John de Pencier Trail is the northern trail route in the Nature Area, crossing the stream flowing from University Road into the Canal.
• The Morton family trail system includes the southern routes, including two main routes with several connections between them.