Homer Watson & Doon Loops
... a choice of 3.6 to 9.8 km walks (Cressman Woods).
Who was Homer Watson?
Homer Watson was one of Canada's greatest artists. Born in Upper Doon he lived in the village most of his life. To read more about Homer Watson visit the About Homer Watson web page. After his death, Watson's home became the Doon School of Fine Arts and is now operated in a public art gallery called Homer Watson House & Gallery located at 1754 Old Mill Road, Kitchener. Homer Watson is also a Waterloo Region Hall of Fame inductee.
Part of this walk passes through Lower and Upper Doon. Some of the history of Doon and its famous residents may be accessed at Historic Place Names of Waterloo County - Doon, Waterloo Township.
What are the Homer Watson - Doon Loop Hikes?
Provided below are six GPS tracks in Google Maps and for download. These tracks represent walks I lead in the Homer Watson Park (Cressman's Woods) and Doon areas. The pathways followed are usually combinations of community trails, parts of the Grand Valley Trail and sometimes sidewalks. In the case of the Grand Valley Trail the route is marked by white blazes (white rectangles) on trees, posts and other objects indicating the direction on the main trail. Four examples appear below. Along the Grand Valley Trail you may encounter blazes that are blue instead of white. There are few of them and they indicate a side trail, not the main trail.
Parking Suggestions (dependent upon which loop you choose to walk)
- Pioneer Park Plaza = 43.393528,-80.432591
- Homer Watson parking at end of Wilson Ave = 43.405262,-80.436748
- Parking lot at the intersection of Huron Road & Mill Park Drive = 43.401537, -80.433042
- Walter Bean Access Trail parking, Marguerite Ormston Trailway = 43.389861,-80.421612
- Street parking in various locations along the route if permitted.
1) Homer Watson - Doon 3.6 km Loop
The best parking for this loop is the Walter Bean Access Trail parking lot (Marguerite Ormston Trailway) off Homer Watson Blvd at 43.389861,-80.421612. This short walk follows part of the Grand Valley Trail (white blazes) and then takes you to a high point/lookout (43.381665, -80.422579) at Windrush Park.
2) Homer Watson - Lower Doon 5.1 km Loop
Along the section you should be able to view the Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower, a Classified Federal Heritage Building on the other side of the Grand River where the Walter Bean Grand River Trail resides. The best parking for this loop is the Walter Bean Access Trail parking lot (Marguerite Ormston Trailway) off Homer Watson Blvd at 43.389861,-80.421612.
3) Homer Watson - Upper Doon 6.5 km Loop
On this loop be sure you read the historical information at 43.401339, -80.432708 (Bechtel's Ford) and at locations 43.393995, -80.416733 (Lower Doon and the Ferrie family mill ruins) and 43.388731, -80.426559 (Upper Doon, or Tow Town, and the Perine Flax Mill complex that became Doon Twine and then Canada Cordage after moving to Berlin/Kitchener).
4) Homer Watson - Upper Doon 7.6 km Loop
On this loop be sure you read the historical information at 43.401339, -80.432708 (Bechtel's Ford) and at locations 43.393995, -80.416733 (Lower Doon and the Ferrie family mill ruins) and 43.388731, -80.426559 (Upper Doon, or Tow Town, and the Perine Flax Mill complex that became Doon Twine and then Canada Cordage after moving to Berlin/Kitchener).
5) Homer Watson - Upper Doon 9.2 km Loop
This longer loop, taking on the shape of a figure eight, has at least five convenient spots where one may park a car. See the map below and the parking suggestions above. On this loop be sure you read the historical information at 43.401339, -80.432708 (Bechtel's Ford) and at 43.388731, -80.426559 (Upper Doon, or Tow Town, and the Perine Flax Mill complex that became Doon Twine and then Canada Cordage after moving to Berlin/Kitchener). Also it takes you to a high point/lookout (43.381665, -80.422579) at Windrush Park.
6) Homer Watson - Upper Doon 9.8 km Loop
GPS Tracks for Download
HELP: If clicking on the links does not provide a download option, try RIGHT clicking the link (especially the .gpx file) and then choose "Save Links As" (or equivalent) from the drop-down menu. Pick a download location (e.g. desktop) for the file.
Loop_3.6 km.gpx OR
Loop_3.6 km.kml
Loop_5.1 km.gpx OR
Loop_5.1 km.kml
Loop_6.5 km.gpx OR
Loop_6.5 km.kml
Loop_7.6 km.gpx OR
Loop_7.6 km.kml
Loop_9.2 km.gpx OR
Loop_9.2 km.kml
Loop_9.8 km.gpx OR
Loop_9.8 km.kml
Loops_AllSixFilesCombined.gpx OR
Loops_AllSixFilesCombined.kml
HomerWatsonLoop.gpx OR
HomerWatsonLoop.kml