Experiencing autumn’s magic

River Park South

Ah yes, the time has come. Summer’s long, lazy days are fading, and a subtle but important shift is happening in our community. All that is green is turning to gold, orange, and red — but it goes beyond the trees and flowers and what we see as we pass through River Park South. It is a collective change; subtle, yet purposeful as both people and nature prepare to settle in for winter.

It’s barely mid-September and already routines have shifted. School buses are visible and plentiful during the morning and late afternoon commutes. Transit buses are packed as they ferry students to high school, college, and university. Learners are adapting to new schedules, trading the rhythm of summer holidays for one that includes homework and packed lunches. This time of year isn’t just about a new school year; it’s also about a community’s seasonal recalibration. I feel a pull to reconnect with my surroundings.

Cooler days mean I don’t have to wait for the temperature to drop in the evening before going for a walk or bike ride, and the intense midday sun isn’t as much of a concern when walking on paths soon to be covered in fallen leaves or moving through forests where, in a few weeks, the view of the sky won’t be blocked by a canopy of leaves. It’s a time to slow down and appreciate the small details—I look forward to seeing pumpkins on porches, flocks of migrating geese overhead, and visiting the corn maze. I eagerly anticipate the traditions that make our community unique. Which houses will go all out this year for Halloween, transforming their yards into elaborate haunted scenes? There’s excitement as spooky decorations start to appear, sparking a sense of playful rivalry and shared spectacle. This mood carries us into the festive season, where the anticipation shifts from ghostly to sparkly. We know that soon the same houses decorated in spiderwebs will be illuminated with dazzling Christmas lights, a colourful highlight during the long winter nights.

Autumn’s magic lies in its sense of shared experience. Everyone in the community is part of this transition. We’re all bundling up a bit more, enjoying the cozy feeling of a warm sweater, and preparing for the winter ahead. The season reminds us that change is constant, but in our community, we move through it together, bound by the simple rhythms and traditions that make this time of year special.