Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival F.A.Q.
Q1. When is the festival run?
Q2. Do I need to reserve in advance?
Q3. How much is it?
Q4. What is included in the admission fee at Bruce's Mill?
Q5. What is included in the admission fee at Kortright Centre?
Q6. How much time will we need to DO the festival at Bruce's Mill?
Q7. How much time will we need to DO the festival at Kortright Centre?
Q8. How should I dress?
Q9. Are dogs allowed?
Q10. Are your hiking trails wheelchair accessible or can I bring a stroller?
Q11. Is the festival good for toddlers?
Q12. What activities are offered during March Break?
Q13. What languages are spoken by the tour guides?
Q14. Do you offer maple syrup products for sale?
Q15. Where is Bruce's Mill located?
Q16. Where is the Kortright Centre located?
Q17. What is the cancellation policy for guided tours?
Q18. Do you offer pancake meals?
Q19. Do I need to pay a deposit for a guided tour?
Q1. When is the festival run?
A1. From Saturday March 3rd until April 9th the festival runs at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge and at Bruce's Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville. Kortright is open every day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Bruce's Mill opens every weekend, all March Break, and weekdays, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from 9:30am - 4:00 pm. The last self-guided tour runs at 3:00 pm.
Q2. Do I need to reserve in advance?
A2. No, unless you want to have a guided visit for a group of 20 or more people. To book a group call 416-667-6295 or e-mail at customerservice@trca.on.ca
Q3. How much is it?
A3. Adults $ 9.00, Seniors and Children 4 years old and up $ 6.50, Children under 4 are free with their family. Pancake meals vary in price from about $ 2.50 for a pancake and a drink and $20.00 for a family platter (6 pancakes, 6 sausages and 4 drinks). Parking is $ 4 at Kortright Centre and is Free at Bruce's Mill. Guided groups of 20 or more are $ 8.75/2hrs or $7.06/1hr per person. At both locations, group supervisors are $ 5 each. All guided tours include one teacher free for every 20 participants. The pony rides at Bruce's Mill are $4 per ride and the horse drawn wagon rides at both Kortright and Bruce's Mill are free with admission.
Q4. What is included in the admission fee at Bruce's Mill?
A4. Authentic pioneer maple syrup and modern sugar shack demonstrations are included. On weekends and March break special activities for families add to the fun. Your admission fee includes parking and use of the park facilities, hiking trails, petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, sap samplings and maple syrup demonstrations. Meals, maple syrup products and pony rides (10 am to 4:00 pm) are Not included.
Q5. What is included in the admission fee at Kortright Centre?
A5. Your admission fee includes use of the park facilities, hiking trails, horse-drawn wagon rides, sap samplings and maple syrup demonstrations. Meals, maple syrup products and pony rides (10 am to 4:00 pm) are Not included.
Q6. How much time will we need to DO the festival at Bruce's Mill?
A6. 1 hour is needed to tour the sugar bush trail and an extra hour to do the wagon ride and visit the petting zoo or enjoy a maple syrup pancake meal. Families usually spend between 2 to 3 hours at the park.
Q7. How much time will we need to DO the festival at Kortright Centre?
A7. 3 hours are needed to see and do everything at the festival. A family could easily spend 4 hours at the park.
Q8. How should I dress?
A8. Dress for the weather. Wear proper footwear for mud conditions. Hats, mitts and warm coats are recommended on cold days. Snow pants are a good idea for small kids.
Q9. Are dogs allowed?
A9. Dogs are allowed in both parks but must be kept on a leash. Dogs are NOT permitted on the wagon rides or in the pancake house or visitor centres.
Q10. Are your hiking trails wheelchair accessible or can I bring a stroller?
A10. At Bruce's Mills hiking trails are in a flat area and it's possible to stroll in a wheelchair or using a stroller. Trails can get muddy on rainy days. At Kortright Centre, trails are on a hill and a longer walking is involved.
Q11. Is the festival good for toddlers?
A11. This is a family event with activities for all ages. Children under 3 may not understand the guided tour, but they will enjoy the maple syrup samples, the wagon rides and farm animals. During March break and weekends we also offer special events for children. See our "schedule of events" for details.
Q12. What activities are offered during March Break?
A12. There are animal shows, juggler performances, face painting, storytelling and live music entertainment. For details, please see our "schedule of events".
Q13. What languages are spoken by the tour guides?
A13. Tours are offered only in English
Q14. Do you offer maple syrup products for sale?
A14. Yes. Gift shops have a great variety of maple products and authentic syrup.
Q15. Where is Bruce's Mill located?
A15. Bruce's Mill Conservation Area is on Stouffville Road. Take Highway 404, exit at Stouffville Rd. - head east - after Warden and before Kennedy. The entrance is on the right hand side.
Q16. Where is the Kortright Centre located?
A16. The Kortright Centre for Conservation is located on Pine Valley Drive. Take Hwy. 400, exit at Major Mackenzie, head west to Pine Valley, and south about 1 km to the entrance on right hand side.
If you have any other question, please call 416-667-6295 (Mon - Fri, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) or e-mail us at customerservice@trca.on.ca
Q17. What is the cancellation policy for guided tours?
A17. If the group cannot attend on its scheduled date/time, every effort will be made to re-schedule the trip. If that is not possible, notice of a cancellation must be received by phone and in writing no less than 15 business days prior to the scheduled visit. Cancellation with less than 15 business days? notice will forfeit their deposit. Same-day cancellations (or no-shows) will be billed for the entire cost of the trip.
Q18. Do you offer pancake meals?
A18. Yes. We offer a variety of maple syrup pancake meals and combos in our cafeterias. Pancake meals vary in price from about $ 2.50 for a pancake and a drink and $20.00 for a family platter (6 pancakes, 6 sausages and 4 drinks).
Q19. Do I need to pay a deposit for a guided tour?
A19. Yes. Guided tours for more than 20 participants require a 50% deposit in advance.
Two great locations:
