Beautiful Green Space and Historic Site

The Ontario Reformatory grounds are one of my favourite green spaces in the city. The grounds and walking trails are absolutely gorgeous year-round, and the beautiful limestone structures remaining from the Reformatory days give the area a rich sense of history. There really isn't a good way to describe the site, it's just one of those places that you have to experience for yourself.

I first discovered the OR grounds while working on a second-year geology project for university. The remains of the old quarry feature heavily in my report for the project and are an excellent example of the local dolostone formations created as a result of an ancient reef. I've found several fossils and small crystal formations in the quarry floor and walls.

It makes me a bit sad, however, to see the old Reformatory buildings in such a state of disrepair. They are built from local limestone and have some beautiful architectural features. The site as a whole is a significant part of both Guelph and Ontario's history, and should be preserved.