Dufferin Islands can be considered as a paradise situated about two kilometers south of the Niagara Falls. Visitors spend their time to escape from usual city life and explore wildlife in the secluded area. Dufferin Islands give visitors a chance of getting close to the nature. Bringing children to the paradise is the best choice for parents, which can adequately enjoy the nature with lovely families. An ideal place for picnics and nature walks that both parents and kids can cultivate themselves.

Dufferin Islands, a secluded area containing a series of man-made islands with 10 acres, is located in Niagara region. It close to Niagara Falls which is easy to reach. Dufferin Islands offer free parking spaces for visitors as well. Visitors do not need to worry about parking fee, so they can spend plenty of time to enjoy natural scenery in Dufferin Islands. In addition to the parking fee, there is no admission fee in Dufferin Islands. Thus, visitors do not need to take money at hand when visiting Dufferin Islands. It is recommended that visitors prepare and bring some foods to Dufferin Islands. Dufferin Islands provide a well accommodated picnic area for visitors, which includes the picnic tables, chairs and barbecue grill. After the picnic, tourists only need to throw their garbage into the provided garbage can. The garbage will be collected by the management staffs of Dufferin Islands.

Annually, Dufferin Islands hold the Winter Festival of Lights from November to January. Trees are well wrapped in lights, providing visual comfort to the public. Also, many animated lighting displays are placed in the Dufferin Islands, such as three-dimensional moose, deer and polar bear. The height of these animated lighting displays ranges from 4 inches to 11 inches. Besides, the stunning LED nozzles give the fountain its striking colours. Combining with other decorations can add to the festive atmosphere in Dufferin Islands. Visitors get to watch it without paying. Without doubt, children will be attractive by the light show. Although, Dufferin Islands is regarded as a mature tourist attraction. It is still striving to construct a harmonious natural environment by introducing fish species, installing bird feeding stations and bird boxes, and planning various vegetation, in order to bring nature back into the modern life.

In 1887, the original Dufferin Islands called Clark Islands was purchased by the Niagara Parks Commission. Later, it is renamed in honor of Canadian Governor called General Lord Dufferin. It remained undeveloped before 1902. And then, the Ontario Power Company started to work on their river power facility, and it needed river water from east of the islands. The action reduced the river flow through these islands. As a result, the Ontario Power Company constructed a series man-made islands as compensation with the Parks Commission approval. However, the Parks Commission did not agree with the layout after completing the initial work in 1905. Thus, in 1918, placing redundant dirt and stone around the islands was aimed to add natural characteristics to the islands. In the past, there were bathing and swimming areas in Dufferin Islands. The areas were built in 1907, and moved to the west in 1962. By considering the safety of visitors, the bathing and swimming areas were tear down in the early 2000s. At present, Dufferin Islands become an attractive natural destination in Niagara Falls.

Dufferin Islands can be regarded as an environmentally sensitive area in Niagara region. There are a variety of plants and wildlife in Dufferin Islands. Other than various normal plants, Dufferin Islands own many kinds of species at risk, including Water-willow, Butternut and Kentucky Coffee-tree. There are two plants from the list of vascular plants of provincial conservation plan were found in Dufferin Islands in 2007, which are Yellow-fruit Sedge and Virginia Bugleweed. Dufferin Islands continuously protect the plants. Unfortunately, there were many plants which became extinct, including Oswego Tea, Tubercled Orchid and Hooker's Orchid.

Dufferin Islands is administrated by the Niagara Parks Commission

Dufferin Islands offer handicap parking spaces

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Niagara Parks - Dufferin Islands. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/dufferin-islands/

exploringniagara - Dufferin Islands. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.exploringniagara.com/places_to_explore/parks_beaches/dufferin_islands.html

Natural Heritage Information Centre. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/ser/178515/2008v13no01winter.pdf