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The Gillies Lake Promenade is probably one of the best used and most familiar trails to Timmins residents. It is probably the most successful example of trail walking to promote health and fitness in the city. Hundreds of people use the trail on a daily basis for their walking exercise.
To reach the trail, travel 1.2 km west along Highway 101 from the Chamber of Commerce Information Centre. Turn right on highway 655 at the lights. Travel north 0.5 km to the parking lot on the left hand side. You can travel north or south along the trail. Depending on your speed, it will take about 30 minutes to walk the trail.
Most of the trail is along a gravel path. Beginning in 2002 there will be a board walk section on the west side of the lake which avoids walking through any city streets.
Actually the trail can be accessed at any point along its route as it is located in the heart of a residential district. Many people begin from the parking lot in the south-west corner of the lake. Even in the winter one can see people using the trail over a packed route.
The lake was originally part of a larger lake which extended much farther south and east. Tailings from the Hollinger mine in the early days were dumped into the lake reducing its size to what it is today. The lake is quite shallow and dredging operations have cleared out some of the mud and organic material which was allowed to accumulate. Bass have been introduced into the water with limited success. Mallard ducks are numerous as many local residents come down each day to feed them. Other birds that may be observed include wood ducks, Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds, robins, and finches.
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