Derek's Point Entrance on Weir Road

Navigating the Pathways back to the entrance of Derek's Point

Approaching the Front Entrance of Robin Hood Flour along Omer Avenue

Looping around the North end and returning to the starting point

The mill can be clearly identified by the large 'Robin Hood' logo adorned on both the front and rear facades of the building.

The front end, located on Sherwood Forest Lane, is connected to a main road and a subsidiary of hiking and biking trails that connect to the Welland Canal Trail travelling north of Port Colborne. The area is accessible via a bridge connecting to Derek's Point park along the canal. The front entrance is monitored by a single manned security booth and a series of cameras attached along the building's exterior. Additionally, there is a barbed wire fence that runs along the factory's perimeter to keep unwanted guests away. Located on the north end is the former transport bay area that is also fenced in with the other facilities.

The rear side of the plant can be viewed from Derek's Point park where guests will gain a clear view of the external steel structure that functions as a conveyor belt for loading and unloading bins of grain onto the passing cargo ships travelling through between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The Robin Hood Flour plant in Port Colborne was built during the 1940s as part of the company's expansion plans to construct several subsidiary plants across Canada. Demand for lifestyle commodities like flour was rampant during the war and Robin Hood's factory location between the railway and the Welland Canal meant that the company could expediently transport their goods further west. At a time when citizen morale was dampened by the ongoing war in Europe, they were very much involved in the day to day life of the home front. The company employed women and teens to work at the factory and produced its own local radio show "On Parade" where guests played games like 'name that tune' for a chance to win prizes.

In the early 2000s, the Robin Hood plant in Port Colborne was shut down and the workers were laid off as a result. Almost nine years later, another company by the name of Riverland Holdings had purchased the facility and converted the interior into a grain processing and storage terminal. By the time Ceres Global AG Corp. had decided to purchase the plant for themselves, the facility was already suitable for their needs. Ceres continues to operate the factory as a grain distribution facility by making use of the grain elevator to offload the seedlings into grain bins that can be transported across the country by train or cargoship. They have also diversified their business model by becoming a distributor of fertilizer products as well as general industrial goods between Canada and the United States.

Derek's Point park provides a sizeable open field with a narrow asphalt hiking trail connected to the park's entrance and the bridge leading to the front entrance of the plant. Following the singular pathway to the front entrance on the west side will lead guests to the Welland Canals Trail – ideal for hiking or bike-riding. Experienced mountain bikers may also enjoy the the trails located in the wooded areas behind the mill, known more locally as 'The Hood'.

Niagara Cycling Tourism Centre Website - Welland Canals Parkway Trail

http://www.niagaracyclingtourism.com/bike-routes/g...

'The Hood' Mountain Biking Trails - Port Colborne, Ontario

https://www.trailforks.com/region/the-hood/

Robin Hood Commercial (1982)

Music Provided by Blulight Gallery

The factory is situated near a dense area that is a habitat for a wide diversity of flora and fauna, primarily squirrels and several bird species throughout most of the year. Alongside the canal and around Derek's Point, during the Spring and Summer months, you can sometimes spot flocks of Canadian geese roaming the land area. Certain trails have eroded as a result of frequent trail activity from off-road vehicles. Consult the trail linkage directory on 'The Hood' Mountain Biking Trails link provided above for updated information for more information on the condition of specific trails to plan your biking or hiking route.

Ceres Global AG. Corp

This location is accessible by car, bike, on foot, and in a wheelchair from most access points. The trails are fairly well maintained.

Ceres Lands Tenant for Niagara-area Grain Elevator (article)

https://www.agcanada.com/daily/ceres-lands-tenant-...

History of Robin Hood

http://www.robinhood.ca/En/History

Riverland Holdings Purchases Robin Hood Flour (Article)

https://eriemedia.ca/huge-day-for-riverland-ag/