Welland / Vineland

Just a short 15-minute drive south of St. Catharines, along the Welland Canal, through beautiful farmland atop the Niagara Escarpment, rests the City of Welland. Welland features 350 acres of beautifully groomed parks, and Rose Gardens is considered one of the finest in Ontario. It, along with other privately owned properties, help explain why Welland is nicknamed 'Rose City.'

Industry is centred around the Welland Canal, and it's docks. The city also features a lively farmer's market that reflects the fabulous agriculture in the area.

Homes in Welland range from beautiful estates with stunning grounds to modest styles on affordable lots. It's an ethnically diverse area, evidenced by the many different styles of homes and prices are also slightly lower here than in St. Catharines.

Back in the 1990s, The Welland Festival of Arts Committee commissioned the creation of some 28 giant murals throughout the city. These are truly impressive pieces of art that are worth the drive to view.

Niagara College has its main campus in Welland, and this sprawling community college has grown from its humble beginnings in the late 60s to an international educational destination with more than 6,000 day students, and over 18,000 continuing education students.

Vineland is a particularly charming little village typical of many rural Ontario farming communities. However, its location at the shores of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment is quite breathtaking indeed. As part of the Town of Lincoln, Vineland is one of the most active participants in the three-day Lincoln County Fair. And, on Thanksgiving weekend, Vineland hosts a huge market at the Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Craft Show, which attracts hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors.

Welland

Population: 47,161

Age: Village in 1858, town in 1878, and incorporated as a city in 1917

Highways: Q.E.W., 403

Airports: Closest service is John C. Munroe Airport, Hamilton, Ontario; Niagara Falls, NY; Buffalo, NY

Public Transit: Welland Transit Commission operates local service

Education: The District School Board of Niagara operates nine elementary schools and two secondary schools; The Niagara Catholic District School Board operates six elementary and one secondary school; Niagara College has its main campus here

Emergency Services: Local policing as well as Niagara Regional Policing and 911 emergency coverage

Vineland

Population: Under 10,000

Age: Police village since 1917, incorperated as part of Lincoln in 1970

Location: 95 km southwest of Toronto

Highways: Q.E.W., 8

Airports: John C. Munroe International Airport, Hamilton

Public Transit: Regional bus service

Education: The District School Board of Niagara operates two elementary schools. Residents attend neighbouring secondary schools in St. Catharines or Grimsby

Emergency Services: Niagara Regional Policing, OPP, and 911 emergency coverage

Tourist/Cultural and Recreation Facilities: Camping, fishing, hiking, and winery tours