SOUTH BAYMOUTH—Throughout the warmer months on Manitoulin, Gordon’s Park off of Highway 6 has a full schedule of fun events to partake in from Stargazing Manitoulin Star Parties to moonlight hikes and so much more. Whether you’re visiting Manitoulin or call the Island your home, you should make a visit to Gordon’s Park a must on your summer to-do list.
Through this month there is two for one mini putt every Tuesday, weekly astronomy nights on Thursdays and ‘Walk a Fossil Reef’ on Sundays.
This Saturday, August 23 there will be a night hike, while Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1 will be a Manitoulin Star Party, including a public astronomy and laser sky tour on Friday, August 29 and Saturday, August 30.
In September there will be a Dark Side of the Moon Star Party from Friday, September 26 to Monday, September 29, while in October there will be an Aurora Borealis Weekend starting Friday, October 10 to 13.
The Expositor had the opportunity to join the fun earlier this summer at one of the park’s Manitoulin Star Parties.
The weekend began with a welcome wine and cheese reception, followed by a pubic observation session and laser guided tour.
It was a full park in the Dark Sky Preserve area of the grounds, which features an incredible 360-degree observing area.
Park manager Paul Beduhn was on hand to make introductions as seasoned Gordon’s Park stargazers and those new to the party set up their telescopes and gear.
“I’ve been involved with astronomy since I was 13-years-old,” explained Steve Pellarin, who has been travelling to Gordon’s Park for over eight years from Windsor. “My uncle is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, which I am a member of now myself, and he got me interested in astronomy. A few years ago we built a telescope together which took three years, off and on, to complete.”
Mr. Pellarin shared his 27-inch telescope, which he had brought with him to the park, noting that it had won awards at various competitions.
He was also a guest speaker at the weekend speaking on the ‘Curiosities of Mars’ and the discoveries by the Curiosity Rover, as well as ‘Strange Stars of the Milk Way.’
Another guest speaker was Greg Emery of Hamilton who was speaking on ‘It came from Outer Space: Comets, Asteroids and Meteors-A Personal Perspective.’
“This is my eighth visit to Gordon’s Park,” Mr. Emery shared with The Expositor.
“There is a lot of stuff you can’t talk about in astronomy groups, like UFOs,” said Mr. Emery of his presentation subject. “But a lot of amateur astronomers have seen stuff they can’t explain. About 12 years ago I saw three triangles shaped in a formation in the sky. At first I though it was a trick of the mind and then I tried to rationalize it, but it was definitely something.”
Next Friday, August 29 to Monday, September 1 there will be another Manitoulin Star Party. The event will get underway at 7 pm with a wine and cheese welcome reception followed by public observing sessions and laser guided sky tour.
On Saturday, there will be a presentation, ‘Bringing Astronomy to Everyone,’ from Glynn Burke of mytelescope.com. At 3 pm there will be an ‘Aurorae’ presentation from astrophotographer Aaron Top, followed by a sci fi pot luck supper and group photo with dress up and prizes at 6 pm. The day will cap off with another public observing session and laser guided sky tour at 9 pm.
On Sunday, there will be a question and answer period and info sharing session at 11 pm, followed by ‘Observing in Big City Light Pollution’ by Terry Trees. The weekend will wind down with a horseshoe tournament at 3 pm and a presentation ‘Cruisin’ Down the Milky Way’ by Steve Dobson at 9 pm.
Registration is $42 plus tax per person, per day or $85 plus tax per family, per day (two adults, children under 16) and includes camping in the Dark Sky Preserve, welcome reception, wine and cheese, various sessions and presentations, horseshoe tournament, use of the hiking trails and nature interpretive centre.
For more information or for a complete list of activities and accommodations visit www.gordonspark.com or visit Gordon’s Park on Facebook.
