Humber River State of the Watershed Report

Transcription

Humber River
State of the Watershed Report –
Nature-based Recreation
2008
Hu m b er R iv er S t at e o f t h e W a t er s h e d R ep or t –
Na tu r e - ba s e d R ec r e a t i o n
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
•
The variety of landscapes, features and nature-based recreation destinations in the
Humber River watershed provide potential for a wide range of recreational activities
including walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, wildlife-viewing, picnicking, camping,
bicycling, horseback riding, golfing, fishing, swimming and exploring cultural heritage
sites.
•
Urban development and population growth in Humber watershed municipalities will
likely result in increased use of existing greenspace and nature-based recreation
facilities and demand for additional greenspace and facilities.
•
There are approximately 8,800 hectares of public greenspace in the Humber River
watershed (10% of the watershed). Most of the greenspace is owned by the TRCA
(6,644 hectares or 75%). The quantity of greenspace in the Humber watershed
increased by 243 hectares between 2000 and 2005.
•
Oak Ridges Corridor Park, created through the transfer of 428 hectares of land from
private owners and developers to the Province of Ontario in 2004, protects the last
remaining natural corridor link between eastern and western parts of the Oak Ridges
Moraine in Richmond Hill and represents a major addition to the Humber watershed
greenspace system.
•
The length of inter-regional trails in the Humber River watershed totals 213 km. The total
length of inter-regional trails has increased by 28 km since 2000 and an additional 15
km of inter-regional trails are proposed to be built in the watershed.
•
Numerous municipalities have proposed new local trails in the Humber River watershed,
totaling 168 km in length. Brampton’s proposed system is the most extensive, with over
134 km of trails proposed in its PathWays Master Plan.
•
There are 24 golf courses in the Humber River watershed. These include private (8),
semi-private (1) and public facilities (15). There has been a growing effort among some
golf course managers to reduce the negative impacts of their operations on the
watershed and incorporate more natural landscaping. Of the 24 golf courses in the
Humber River watershed, four courses (Diamond Back Golf Club in Richmond Hill;
Nobleton Lakes Golf Club in King Township; Oakdale Golf and Country Club and the
Toronto Board of Trade Golf Course, both in Toronto) are Certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuaries. As such, they contribute to the conservation of resources and
the protection of both common and rare plants and wildlife by implementing
environmental practices.
Humber_Nature_based_Recreation_FINAL_080907.doc
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 1
2.0
UNDERSTANDING NATURE-BASED RECREATION................................................... 2
3.0
MEASURING NATURE-BASED RECREATION ........................................................... 4
4.0
EXISTING CONDITIONS IN THE HUMBER RIVER WATERSHED............................... 5
4.1
Greenspace and Parks ................................................................................................... 5
4.1.1 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Lands .................................................. 9
4.1.2 Municipal Parks......................................................................................................... 12
4.1.3 Provincial and Federal Lands ................................................................................... 13
4.1.4 Watershed Report Card Ratings............................................................................... 14
4.2
Trails.............................................................................................................................. 16
4.2.1 Inter-Regional Trails.................................................................................................. 18
4.2.2 Local Trails ................................................................................................................ 20
4.2.3 Watershed Report Card Rating ................................................................................ 22
4.3
Resource-based Tourism ............................................................................................. 23
4.4
Recreational Fishing ..................................................................................................... 25
4.5
Golfing........................................................................................................................... 26
5.0
SUMMARY AND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS .............................................. 26
6.0
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 30
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Nature-based Recreation Areas and Experiences in the Humber River Watershed. .... 6
Figure 2. Trails in the Humber River Watershed. ......................................................................... 17
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Humber River Watershed Nature-based Recreation Strategic Concepts. ...................... 6
Table 2. TRCA Attractions in the Humber River Watershed. ......................................................... 8
Table 3. TRCA Land Acquisition and Disposal in the Humber River Watershed, 2000 to 2004... 9
Table 4. Quantity of Greenspace and Other Public Use Lands in the Humber Watershed (in
hectares) ........................................................................................................................ 15
Table 5: TRCA Conservation Area Attendance, Humber River Watershed, 2002 – 2004........... 16
Table 6: Summary of Trail Systems. ............................................................................................ 18
Table 7: Inter-regional Trails in the Humber River Watershed by Municipality. .......................... 23
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: TRCA and Municipal Information Contacts............................................................. 31
Appendix B: Municipal Parks and Facilities in the Humber River Watershed............................. 33
Humber_Nature_based_Recreation_FINAL_080907.doc
1.0
INTRODUCTION
In 1997, the Humber Watershed Task Force released the Humber River Watershed Strategy,
Legacy: A Strategy For A Healthy Humber (MTRCA, 1997), which provided thirty objectives for a
healthy, sustainable watershed, and a set of actions necessary to achieve them. It also
provided an overview of the state of the Humber River watershed at that time. Since the
release of the watershed strategy, a significant amount of new information has become
available through monitoring, special studies and the experiences of watershed partners.
In 2004, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with watershed
municipalities and the Humber Watershed Alliance initiated a study to develop an integrated
watershed management plan for the Humber River. This study was initiated to fulfill the
watershed planning requirements of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, 2002, and to
update the strategies and recommendations of Legacy, in light of new information, a stronger
scientific foundation and better understanding of the effects of human actions on natural
ecosystems. The watershed plan is intended to inform and guide municipalities, provincial and
federal governments, TRCA, non-governmental organizations and private landowners
regarding management actions needed to maintain and improve watershed health.
This State of the Watershed Report provides updated information on current conditions,
emerging trends and identifies key watershed management issues and opportunities in the
Humber pertaining to nature-based recreation. Indicators of watershed health and associated
targets are used to rate current conditions. Ratings for a full suite of indicators of watershed
health are summarized in, Listen to Your River: A Report Card on the Health of the Humber River
Watershed (TRCA, 2007).
The report is organized into five sections. Section 2 introduces the topic of nature-based
recreation, explains the need for greenspace in our society, describes current trends regarding
nature-based recreation and makes note of potential management issues. Section 3 describes
the different indicators used to monitor nature-based recreation and assess progress towards
achieving the objectives of the watershed strategy. Section 4 provides updated information on
current conditions and updated watershed report card ratings. Section 5 summarizes
watershed management issues pertaining to nature-based recreation in the Humber
watershed, based on current conditions and identifies those that may warrant further study and
management recommendations in the final watershed plan.
1
2.0
UNDERSTANDING NATURE-BASED RECREATION
Public greenspace1 is highly valued for their aesthetic, social, recreational and spiritual
benefits. They provide leisure opportunities ranging from hiking, bird-watching, cycling,
camping and picnicking, to swimming, fishing, and a variety of other active and passive
activities. It is a well-documented fact that active lifestyles promote a sense of well-being and
an overall healthier population which over time will lessen the burden on our health care
system. There are many opportunities in the Humber River watershed for nature-based
recreation in the greenspace, on privately-owned lands (e.g., hydro and utility corridors), on
trails, and through resource-based tourism, and recreational fishing and golfing.
Outdoor recreation is one way people of all ages and all cultures can interact with the
environment. Through greater interaction with the outdoor environment, people gain an
appreciation for their natural surroundings and are more likely to support watershed protection
efforts.
A 1996 Government of Canada survey revealed that outdoor recreational pursuits are very
important to Canadians and that Canadians commit large amounts of their leisure time and
resources to access natural areas. More than 70% of new home buyers in the GTA rate
proximity to a park, common outdoor area or natural area as important or extremely important
in their purchase decisions (J.D. Power and Associates, 2006). Natural areas in and around
urban settlements satisfy needs for healthy recreation and “back-to-nature” experiences that
include exercise, fresh air and quiet, as well as scenic vistas, the challenge and adventure of
rugged terrain and the excitement of encountering wildlife in their natural habitat.
People who live in urban areas often seek rural or countryside experiences for a change of
surroundings. Rural areas are valued for their peaceful, pastoral qualities; for fresh air and
open space; for being an escape from the noise and congestions of the city; and as a spiritual
link to the cultural past. Due to this desire for rural settings, creating, protecting and enhancing
public greenspace and outdoor recreational opportunities in rural communities can help
diversify local economic development in these areas. Rural areas are broadening their tourism
markets in response to growing public interest, to include pick-your-own produce, wineries,
farm-style mazes and miniature golf attractions, family activities associated with fall harvest and
Christmas tree cutting, farm bed and breakfasts, heritage events and other resource-based
tourism opportunities. These services contribute significantly to the local economy.
As the populations of the watershed’s municipalities grow there will be increased demand for
nature-based recreation throughout the watershed. It will be increasingly important to carefully
integrate the human use of natural and rural areas in and near urban areas with care for the
non-human inhabitants and ecological and cultural integrity. In particular, it is likely that there
will be increased demand for access to public greenspaces, trails, rural areas and other lower
impact, passive outdoor recreational pursuits.
1
Greenspace is defined as all publicly-owned land available for nature-based recreation, including municipal parks
and conservation lands, and valley and stream corridors, but not including golf courses, cemeteries, and municipal
parks intended for intensive recreational use (e.g., soccer fields).
2
The demand for increased public access to the natural areas of the watershed has the potential
for unauthorised use and overuse, negatively impacting environmental health and degrading
the areas upon which nature-based recreation destinations rely. For example, unplanned or
excessive use can lead to trampling of vegetation, soil compaction and erosion. Pet wastes can
pollute both the terrestrial system and water quality. Potential hazards to safe use of natural
areas occur from inappropriate uses where faster-moving or high-impact uses clash with
pedestrians and children, or crime and vandalism pose a threat to life and property. It is
necessary that the pursuit of outdoor activities be balanced with the needs of the natural
system to allow for the sustainability of those activities. Likewise, it is necessary to properly
plan and manage public use to avoid conflict with adjacent landowners.
3
3.0
MEASURING NATURE-BASED RECREATION
In the Humber River watershed, nature-based recreation is assessed using the following
indicators: quantity of greenspace; outdoor recreation opportunities; and, trails. Greenspace is
assessed based on the total area of publicly-owned greenspace in the Humber River
watershed. The extent and use of outdoor recreational facilities is used to examine the outdoor
recreation opportunities. Trails are evaluated based on the degree of completion of a planned
network of inter-regional, connected trails.
Measuring actual use of greenspaces and trails, and participation in nature-based recreation
poses a number of challenges. At present, TRCA does little recreational use monitoring. Visitor
attendance numbers are available at Conservation Parks where admission and/or user fees are
collected (e.g., from gate house receipts and park reports). The attendance numbers are most
accurate where admission is purchased or limited. Recreational use is also measured through
the number of memberships purchased for TRCA Conservation Parks. Where attendance is
uncontrolled, use could be measured by using automated techniques such as trail counters;
however, these measures are not currently in place at TRCA conservation lands.
Nature-based recreation can also be assessed using signs of environmental degradation, such
as trail erosion, waste accumulation, cultural heritage damage, fish depletion and the trampling
and destruction of plant and animal species. Trail user conflicts and public safety are other
issues which arise with increasing recreational activities in our natural areas. The Humber River
State of the Watershed Technical Report – Terrestrial System presents available data on
disturbances to natural areas resulting from trampling, informal trails, dumping and exotic
invasive species of plants (TRCA, 2007).
The evaluation of current conditions in this report is based on data collected by TRCA and data
made available by municipalities and other organizations. However, many of these
organizations do not track these indicators on an on-going basis. Representing greenspace in
Figure 1 was challenging as the definition of greenspace incorporates aspects both of land use
(nature-based recreation opportunity) and of land ownership (publicly-owned and -accessible).
Data layers2 from municipalities, TRCA, and others were incorporated in Figure 1 to identify
potential greenspace areas. Potential greenspace areas that corresponded with natural cover,
urban open space, vacant, and recreational land cover categories from interpretation of 2002
aerial photography were retained as greenspace. Cemeteries, golf courses, and hydro and
utility corridors were excluded.
2
TRCA-accessible data layers used to identify greenspace included the municipal parks layer, additional
data layers from the cities of Brampton and Toronto, the TRCA property layer, Downsview Park, Oak
Ridges Corridor Park, and Hrland (an older property layer including municipal, TRCA, and provincial
lands).
4
4.0
EXISTING CONDITIONS IN THE HUMBER RIVER WATERSHED
The variety of landscapes and features in the Humber River watershed provide potential for a
wide range of recreational activities including walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, wildlifeviewing, picnicking, camping, bicycling, horseback riding, golfing, fishing, swimming and
exploring cultural heritage sites. These activities, combined with the opportunities provided by
greenspace in the watershed, result in numerous opportunities for nature-based recreation.
Different types of recreational experiences are possible across the watershed largely as a result
of differences in physiographic and land use conditions (Figure 1). Areas of the watershed that
have the potential to provide distinct nature-based recreational experiences include:
• Kettle lakes,
• Hills of the Headwaters,
• Humber Valley wilderness,
• Urban escape,
• Black Creek parklands, and
• Humber Bay parklands.
These experiences range from wilderness experiences where hiking, canoeing, and nature
interpretation are key activities, to rural and urban experiences where cultural heritage
interpretation, education and public events, and intensive recreation (e.g., golf) are more
common. The Hills of the Headwaters area is notable as five inter-regional trails converge on
the village of Palgrave. It is important to note that nature-based recreational opportunities in the
areas identified in Figure 1 are not currently being planned or managed in an integrated
fashion using these geographic boundaries or experience themes. In fact, some areas might
be notable for their lack of developed nature-based recreation opportunities.
4.1
Greenspace and Parks
Greenspace is defined as all publicly-owned land available for nature-based recreation,
including municipal parks and conservation lands, and valley and stream corridors, but not
including golf courses, cemeteries, and municipal parks intended for intensive recreational use
(e.g., soccer fields). There are approximately 8,800 ha of greenspace in the Humber River
watershed. Most of the greenspace is owned by the TRCA (6,644 ha). The majority of TRCAowned land lies along the Humber River and its tributaries and was acquired for flood
protection, to preserve environmentally significant features, to provide recreational facilities,
and for flood control structures. There are also numerous municipal parks in the watershed, as
summarized in Appendix B. In addition to these lands, there are various trails, resource-based
tourism operations, recreational fishing opportunities, and golf courses in the watershed that
can be used by the public. However, the extent of urban development within the watershed
continues to expand at a fast pace. As the population of the watershed increases, there will be
growing pressure on greenspaces and an increasing need for monitoring.
5
Figure 1. Nature-based Recreation Areas and Experiences in the Humber River Watershed
Table 1. Humber River Watershed Nature-based Recreation Strategic Concepts.
Conceptual
Area
Kettle Lakes •
•
•
•
Humber
Bay
Parklands
Urban
Escape
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Features/Destinations
Lake St. George Field Centre
Lake Wilcox
Oak Ridges Corridor Park
Oak Ridges Moraine
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
High Park
Lake Ontario waterfront
Waterfront Trail
Parklands
Claireville Conservation Area
Claireville Ranch
Wild Water Kingdom
Indian Line Campground
Humber Arboretum
•
•
Black Creek
Parklands
• Black Creek Pioneer Village
• Parklands
• Urban farms
Humber
Valley
Wilderness
• Living City Campus at
Kortright
• Boyd Conservation Area
• McMichael Canadian Art
Collection
• Granger Greenway
• Humber Valley Heritage Trail
• Pierre and Janet Berton Trail
• Palgrave trail hub
• Conservation areas (Albion
Hills, Glen Haffy)
• Albion Hills Field Centre
• Inter-regional trails (Bruce
Trail, Oak Ridges Trail, Great
Pine Ridge Trail, Humber
Valley Heritage Trail)
• Oak Ridges Moraine
• Niagara Escarpment
Hills of the
Headwaters
Experience/Opportunity
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Kettle lakes
Nature interpretation
Passive use
Outdoor education programs
Golf
Unique landforms
Scenic views
Connection to Don and Rouge River
watersheds
Urban escape
Water activities (e.g. Swimming, boating,
fishing)
Trails
Water management interpretation
Equestrian
Water play
Camping
Swimming
Fishing
Nature interpretation
Trails
Cultural heritage interpretation
Events space and festivals
Trails
Urban agriculture
Aboriginal heritage interpretation
Education
Picnicking
Visual arts
Trails
• Active use (camping, mountain biking,
swimming, boating, fishing, golf)
• Trails (pedestrian, equestrian, cycling,
cross-country skiing, multi-use)
• Outdoor education programs
• Unique landforms
• Scenic views
• Connection to Credit River watershed
7
Fly-Fishing
Fishing
Camping
Swimming
Picnicking
Size (ha)
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Albion Hills
446
Conservation Area
● ● ● ●
and Campground
Black Creek
Pioneer Village
Boyd Conservation 155
●
Area
Claireville
848
Conservation Area
Cold Creek
Conservation Area
Glen Haffy
325
●
● ●
Conservation Area
Indian Line
19.5
● ● ●
Campground
Living City Campus 320
●
at Kortright
Name of Site
●
●
●
●
●
Event Venues
●
Weddings
Table 2. TRCA Attractions in the Humber River Watershed.
Christmas Parties
●
●
●
8
Canoeing/Paddling
●
●
Hiking
●
●
●
●
●
●
Mountain Biking
●
Playground
●
●
●
●
Wildlife Viewing
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Bird watching
●
●
●
Sugarbush Festival
●
●
Cross-Country
Skiing
Tobogganing
●
Volleyball
●
Badminton
●
Horseback Riding
●
●
●
●
Public Transit
Within the City of Toronto, many of the TRCA’s lands are managed by the Toronto Parks and
Recreation Division of the Department of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism. This
system of lands includes the linear parks along the lower Humber River, Humber Bay Park and
the Metro Toronto Track & Field Centre at York University. In the northern section of the
Humber River watershed, large areas of the watershed are covered in forests. The TRCA owns
large tracts of land in this area, including the Nashville and Palgrave lands.
Throughout the watershed, municipalities provide parks, recreation and cultural facilities and
programs. Many of the facilities discussed in this chapter serve regional needs and draw users
from across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
4.1.1 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Lands
TRCA’s land holdings in the Humber River watershed include three active conservation areas
(Albion Hills, Boyd and Glen Haffy), two closed conservation areas (Claireville and Cold Creek),
two Forest and Wildlife Areas (Palgrave and Lake St. George), and many Resource
Management Tracts (including Nashville and Bolton). The TRCA also operates Black Creek
Pioneer Village, the Living City Campus at Kortright, two residential field centres (Albion Hills
and Lake St. George), and two campgrounds (Albion Hills and Indian Line) within the Humber
watershed. Management plans that guide future initiatives on TRCA lands have been prepared
for the Boyd North and Glassco Park area (which includes the Living City Campus at Kortright),
and Cold Creek and Claireville conservation areas. Under management agreements, portions
of the TRCA’s lands are used for Wild Water Kingdom, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the
Humber Arboretum, Eglinton Flats Regional Sport Centre, the North Caledon Equestrian Park,
and other recreational facilities and programs. The TRCA currently assesses visitor attendance
at its conservation areas, education field centres, Black Creek Pioneer Village and the Living
City Campus at Kortright through admission and user fees.
In addition to these properties, the TRCA has other lands within the Humber Watershed. A
summary of land acquisitions and disposal can be found in Table 3.
Table 3. TRCA Land Acquisition and Disposal in the Humber River Watershed, 2000 to 2004.
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Watershed Total
Land Acquired (ha)
14.4
2.2
58.1
0.8
34.7
110.3
9
Land Sold (ha)
0.2
0.8
0.1
0.0
6.3
7.4
Albion Hills Conservation Area and Field Centre
Centreville Creek joins the Humber River in the 446 hectare complex that includes Albion Hills
Conservation Area, Campground and Field Centre. In the headwaters of the Humber River and
surround by the hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine, there are many opportunities for recreational
opportunities at Albion Hills (see Table 2). The conservation area is open year–round, although
the campground is open only from early May to late October. Approximately 105,000 people
visited Albion Hills Conservation Area in 2004. There are many activities that visitors can
participate in while visiting the conservation area and campground. The sandy beach and lake
is a large attraction for paddlers, swimmers and people looking to fish during the summer,
while cross-country skiing and tobogganing draws many visitors in the winter months. There
are 30 km of trails available for hiking at the Albion Hills Conservation Area. The conservation
area also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including mountain biking races, an
antique show, adventure races and runs.
The campground at Albion Hills has 234 serviced and un-serviced campsites and pull-through
sites for RV’s. Showers and washrooms are available throughout the campground. Other
amenities in the campground include playgrounds, volleyball and badminton courts,
horseshoe pits, laundry facilities, campground store and snack bar.
Albion Hills Field Centre, open year-round, is a spacious cedar and granite chalet-style building
that provides accommodation and dining facilities for 40 participants and four visiting leaders,
all wheel-chair accessible. In addition to a wide variety of outdoor education activities, the
Centre has a modern dairy farm operation, an authentic 1840s log home, 28 km of groomed
cross-country ski trails, and the potential to participate in swimming and canoeing in the
summer months.
Black Creek Pioneer Village
The award winning Black Creek Pioneer Village is a restored 19th-century rural Victorian
community along the edges of Black Creek. There are over 35 carefully restored 1860s shops
and homes in the Village, including a log house, a grain barn, piggery, smoke house and a
larger second house. Visitors can talk with the blacksmith, the cabinet maker and others about
their crafts. In addition to the restored buildings, there is a Visitor Centre with a gift shop,
historical displays and restaurants.
Many events and festivals are held at the Village. Annual events include Christmas By
Lamplight and Howling Hootenanny. There is also active interpretive program at the Village that
is popular with school and community groups. In addition, there is an Adventure Day Camp
offered to children during the summer months. The village is closed between January 1 to May
1 each year.
Boyd Conservation Area
The steep-sided river valley and tall trees offer a quiet refuge where visitors can relax and enjoy
the outdoors at Boyd Conservation Area. There are numerous trails (a total of 2.5 km), forested
areas and picnic sites (19 sites in all), making it a premier picnic location. The conservation
area attracts approximately 55,000 visitors each year. However, this number fluctuates due to
the primarily outdoor summer attractions that are vulnerable to weather conditions. For
10
example, attendance dropped by 10,000 people in the summer of 2004 from the summer of
2003, the former being a relatively cool and wet summer while the latter was a hot and dry
summer.
Glen Haffy Conservation Area
Located on 243 hectares at the crossroads of the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges
Moraine, Glen Haffy Conservation Area is situated amongst dramatic hills and mature forests.
Glen Haffy’s own nature trails wind through the forest and the Bruce Trail passes along the
Escarpment. The conservation area is home to the TRCA’s fish-rearing facility, which raises
thousands of rainbow trout each year for stocking the ponds at Albion Hills and Heart Lake
Conservation Areas. Each year the approximately 23,000 park visitors can fish in the two trout
ponds, picnic in one of the seven picnic sites, hike 6 km of scenic trails and enjoy some of the
best bird watching in Southern Ontario. Glen Haffy also operates a fly-fishing club that provides
access to the private Headwaters Trout Ponds, rowboats, a log cabin and a barbeque. Glen
Haffy Conservation Area is open from mid-April to the end of October, while the Fly Fishing
Club is open until early November.
Open from the beginning of May to mid-November, Indian Line Campground is found adjacent
to the Claireville Flood Control Dam and reservoir located on the west branch of the Humber
River in Brampton. Claireville Dam creates an on-the-lake holiday where visitors can swim, fish,
canoe or hike. Accessible by major highways and public transit, Indian Line Campground
provides easy access to major Toronto-area attractions.
The campground has 240 serviced and un-serviced campsites as well as pull-through sites for
RV’s. Campground amenities include washrooms, hot showers, a swimming pool, a children’s
play area, laundry facilities, and a campground store and snack bar. Approximately 60,000
people camped at Indian Line Campground in 2004.
Living City Campus at Kortright
Each year, approximately 130,000 people visit the Living City Campus at Kortright. The
Campus offers many amenities for its visitors, including interpretive programs, a sugarbush
festival, gift shop, and café. The Visitor Centre is equipped with a theatre, classrooms, meeting
spaces and exhibit halls. Over 16 km of hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore,
forests, meadows and marshes. Bird-watching and wildlife viewing are popular activities at this
year-round facility.
The Earth Rangers building was opened in 2003 and acts as the base of operations for
Kortright’s education and wildlife programs. It is a 60,000 square feet facility on a 31 hectare
site. It houses a small theatre, interactive educational displays and some of the most
specialized wildlife facilities in Canada. The building acts as a showpiece of environmental
responsibility, using radiant heating and cooling technology, a sophisticated wastewater
system, and solar panels to heat the water. Environmentally advanced building materials were
used, such as recycled plastic roof tiles, Interface carpet tiles, and eco-friendly paints.
Lake St. George Field Centre
11
The Lake St. George property, a provincially significant wetland on the Oak Ridges Moraine,
contains a kettle lake surrounded by mixed woodlands and open meadows that possess
abundant fish and wildlife populations. The Field Centre was opened in 1979, and consists of
two dormitory/classroom buildings that can accommodate a total of 84 persons. In addition to
a wide variety of outdoor education programs, Lake St. George provides the opportunity to
explore the ecology of a kettle lake aboard a pontoon craft or learn some basic canoeing skills
taught by Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association-trained instructors. For three weeks in the
summer, the Centre, in cooperation with the Toronto District School Board, offers a residential
Environmental Science course which leads to a Grade 12 Science credit.
4.1.2 Municipal Parks
High Park
Nestled amongst urban development like an oasis is High Park. This 161.4 hectare park offers
many opportunities for public recreation, including baseball diamonds, lawn bowling fields, a
children’s playground, a pool, sports fields, tennis courts and an outdoor ice rink in the winter.
About one-third of the park’s natural environment consists of nationally rare oak savannah.
Also situated in High Park is Colborne Lodge, a rare Regency picturesque cottage - a
monument to the founders of the Park. Built in 1837, the Lodge still contains many original
furnishings, artifacts, and some of the builder’s own watercolors that depict images of early
Toronto. The extensive ornamental and kitchen gardens surrounding the Lodge are being
restored. Colborne Lodge is open year-round and is accessible by public transit.
Humber Arboretum
Situated in the West Humber River Valley, the Humber Arboretum offers a balance of managed
and natural areas, featuring a wide variety of plants and wildlife. An Environmentally Significant
Area (ESA) is found within the Arboretum. Over 3 km of self-guided trails connect the various
areas of the Arboretum. The grounds are open every day of the year. In operation since the fall
of 1982, the Arboretum in managed by the Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology,
the TRCA and the City of Toronto. The Centre for Urban Ecology, designed as a focal point for
the Arboretum, is an educational facility which contains an assortment of ever-changing
displays and exhibits. The facility is accessible by public transit.
12
4.1.3 Provincial and Federal Lands
Oak Ridges Corridor Park
The Oak Ridges Corridor Park is 428 hectares (1057 acres) of land that have been transferred
by private owners and developers to the Province of Ontario as part of the Pickering Land
Exchange Agreement reached in 2004. The intent of the transfer of lands is to provide a natural
continuous east-west corridor that protects the headwaters of the Humber and Rouge rivers
and also contains a number of significant features, including wetlands and kettle lakes. The
land is an irregularly shaped parcel that lies on either side of Yonge Street just south of the
community of Oak Ridges in Richmond Hill. The land has been used for farming, residential
and recreational purposes for almost 200 years. Approximately 40 hectares (100 acres) at the
western end of the reserve is Bathurst Glen Golf Course.
The Province of Ontario, through the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, requested that
TRCA develop a management plan for the lands, with the objectives that they should be
managed to protect and restore natural ecosystems and that a pedestrian trail be built across
the lands. TRCA completed a management plan for the property in 2005. The plan addresses
ecological protection and restoration, trails, education and outreach, and monitoring.
Parc Downsview Park
Parc Downsview Park is located on the former Canadian Forces military base in Toronto and
occupies approximately 260 hectares in both the Humber and the Don River watersheds. In
1994, the Government of Canada announced that it would develop the area into a unique
urban recreational greenspace for the enjoyment of future generations. The park is to be selfsustaining; therefore, some of the lands are sold and subleased to provide sources of funding
to finance the development of the park property. The vision of Parc Downsview Park is “a
unique urban recreational green space, a safe and peaceful place, developed according to the
principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability, for Canadians to enjoy in all
seasons. The Park reflects Canada’s mosaic brilliance and celebrates its past, present and
future accomplishments” (Parc Downsview Park Incorporated 2004). Ultimately, over 100
hectares of land will be developed commercially, and the revenues generated from those lands
will be used to develop the park and create a seamless and integrated sustainable community.
Over 110 hectares will is proposed for traditional parkland, recreational and cultural uses. The
remaining areas comprise lands intended for related community development opportunities
that will complement the park design and for the Department of National Defense, for its
continued operational requirements on the site. The Parc Downsview Park site is well served by
major arterial roads and is also well served by public transit.
When the Government of Canada announced the closure of the Canadian Forces Base
Toronto, it let it be known that the existing Department of National Defense-owned lands
associated with the Downsview site would be held in perpetuity and in trust primarily as a
unique urban recreational green space for the enjoyment of future generations. In May 2000,
the design for Canada’s first national urban park was announced. Unlike most of Canada’s
national parks, Parc Downsview Park does not offer an extraordinary landscape that needs to
be preserved or protected. Instead, the Downsview site provides an opportunity for an entirely
new definition of the urban landscape, one with the potential to redefine humankind’s
13
relationship with nature.
Today, Parc Downsview Park is a vibrant place where hundreds of thousands of Canadians are
educated and entertained every year through a wide variety of community programs and
seasonal events. The park has baseball diamonds, soccer fields and lots of open areas for
running and walking. In addition, the 45,000 m2 Hangar Sports Complex attracts more than
400,000 people year round. There are four professional quality indoor soccer fields, a paintball
facility, five indoor beach volleyball courts, a training facility for Canada’s Olympic archery team
and areas for touch football, ultimate Frisbee, field hockey, aerobics and impact training. In
addition, the venue is available for trade shows and banquets.
4.1.4 Watershed Report Card Ratings
Greenspace
Objective:
Indicator:
Measure:
Create an accessible and connected greenspace system
Public Greenspace
Quantity of publicly-owned greenspace in the watershed
Table 4 describes the quantity of greenspace in the Humber River watershed by subwatershed
and municipality. Approximately 8800 hectares or 10 per cent of the Humber River watershed
can be classified as public greenspace (Table 4). This represents a 2.8 per cent increase in
public greenspace in the watershed since 2000.
Suggested Watershed Report Card Rating: B
There was a net gain of 243 hectares of greenspace in the Humber River watershed between
2000 and 2004. This surpasses the target set in the 2000 Humber River Watershed Report Card
for an additional 200 hectares by 2005.
Greenspaces in the Main and Lower Humber River subwatersheds are fairly well connected.
Within the Black Creek subwatershed, greenspaces in the City of Toronto are well connected;
however, there are few greenspaces in the Vaughan portion, where there is no municipal
greenspace. Acquisition of lands to create and connect greenspaces in the Humber watershed
should focus on the upper reaches of the West and East Humber subwatersheds, in rural areas
adjacent to urbanizing areas.
14
Table 4. Quantity of Greenspace and Other Public Use Lands in the Humber Watershed (in
hectares)
Location
Watershed total
Subwatershed
Main Humber
East Humber
West Humber
Lower Humber
Black Creek
Municipality
AdjalaTosorontio
Aurora
Brampton
Caledon
King
Mississauga
Mono
Richmond Hill
Toronto
Vaughan
Greenspace
(ha)
8,800
Golf Courses
(ha)
1,600
Cemeteries
(ha)
206
Fairgrounds
(ha)
15
4,303
1,500
1,369
948
680
529
416
294
237
121
25
8
33
49
92
10
0
0
5
0
126
0
0
0
0
1,001
2,865
450
1
37
468
1,837
2,015
0
144
379
142
0
0
195
353
387
0
2
10
7
0
1
0
127
59
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
8
Recreation
Objective:
Indicator:
Measure:
Identify and develop local- and regional-scale recreation, education, and tourism
destinations within the greenspace system
Outdoor Recreation
Extent and use of outdoor recreational facilities.
As indicated in section 3, data on the extent and use of the full range of outdoor recreational
facilities and destinations in the Humber Watershed is limited and not regularly tracked.
Appendix B summarizes available information regarding municipal parks and facilities in the
watershed. Appendix B in combination with the information provided in section 4.1 provides an
indication of the extent of outdoor recreation facilities that exist in the Humber watershed.
With regard to use of outdoor recreation facilities, based on available attendance records,
TRCA Conservation Areas and Campgrounds have seen a decline in attendance from 2001 to
2004 (Table 5). It is important to note that use of these facilities is highly dependent on weather
- there must be warm, rain-free days in the spring, summer and fall to attract people to picnic,
hike, swim, fish and camp; on the other hand, there must be plenty of snow to attract people to
ski, toboggan and snowshoe in the winter months.
15
Table 5: TRCA Conservation Area Attendance, Humber River Watershed, 2002 – 2004
2001
Attendance
2002
Attendance
2003
Attendance
2004
Attendance
Albion Hills Conservation
Area & Campground
93,645
82,483
78,091
104,875
Boyd Conservation Area
47,981
49,649
65,512
55,045
Glen Haffy Conservation
Area
27,474
25,356
23,144
21,558
TRCA Property
Living City Campus at
Kortright
75,883
106,839
78,200
59,027
141,329
141,092
121,992
111,454
Total
386,312
405,419
366,939
351,959
Given the fluctuating weather conditions that are arising because of climate change, TRCA’s
outdoor recreation facilities are vulnerable to attendance fluctuations. By providing additional
recreation opportunities that are less weather-dependent, the TRCA Conservation Areas and
Campgrounds could minimize the influence that weather has on visitation. However, this will
require investment in buildings that can house indoor activities. Living City Campus at Kortright
is currently undergoing a renovation of its main building. Some of the buildings at other
Conservation Areas could be retrofitted and/or replaced to allow for indoor activities that would
attract a variety of visitors.
Suggested Report Card Rating: C
There are a great number and great variety of outdoor recreation opportunities within the
Humber River watershed. However, attendance at TRCA Conservation Areas and
campgrounds has remained relatively static. The 2000 Report Card target for increased
attendance by 2005 was not met. There are numerous other activities that people can
participate in, for which attendance records are not available. For example, the number of golf
courses in the watershed has increased to 24.
4.2
Trails
There is a great wealth of trails within the Humber River watershed (see Figure 2 and Table 6).
There are several inter-regional trail systems that traverse the watershed in addition to the
many local trails within the watershed’s municipalities. Both informal and formal trails exist, and
provide the trail user with the opportunity to experience the varied landscape and natural
beauty of the Humber River watershed.
16
Figure 2. Trails in the Humber River Watershed.
Table 6: Summary of Trail Systems.
Municipality
Local Trails*
(km)
Inter-regional Trails
(km)
0
1
32
117
38
3
10
39
85**
52
377
0
0
0.4
88
21
0
10
0
85
9
213
Adjala-Tosorontio
Aurora
Brampton
Caledon
King
Mississauga
Mono
Richmond Hill
Toronto
Vaughan
Watershed Total
* Local trails include municipal trails and other trail systems not considered part of inter-regional trail systems.
** Local trails in the City of Toronto are considered part of the inter-regional trail system.
4.2.1 Inter-Regional Trails
Inter-regional trails are defined as trails that cross the borders of more than one region, such as
the Bruce Trail. Many of the inter-regional trails in the Humber River watershed are located on
TRCA owned lands. In highly urbanized areas, such as the City of Toronto, TRCA lands are
some of the only remaining greenspaces in the watershed available for trails. Inter-regional
trails in the Humber River watershed total 213 km (Table 6). The following are some of the
larger inter-regional trails in Humber River watershed.
Humber Valley Heritage Trail (hiking only)
The Humber Valley Heritage Trail (HVHT) covers 19.2 km of the Humber River watershed, from
Palgrave to Bolton and into King Township, all owned by the TRCA. The trail also passes
through Albion Hills Conservation Area. Along the way, it passes many interesting natural and
cultural features. The trail was developed in 1995 and is operated by an association of
volunteers called the Humber Valley Heritage Trail Association (HVHTA). The HVHTA intends to
extend the HVHT further down the Humber River to Lake Ontario. The north end of the HVHT
links into the Caledon Trailway, the Bruce Trail and the Trans-Canada Trail. The Oak Ridges
Moraine Trail will soon link up to the HVHTA in the east.
Bruce Trail (hiking only)
The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest continuous footpath in Canada. It runs along the
Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory, spanning more than 800 km of main trail. The
mission of the Bruce Trail Association is to provide a public footpath along the Niagara
Escarpment and promote protection of the Escarpment and appreciation of its natural beauty.
Within the Humber River watershed, 36.8 km of the Bruce Trail can be found. In the fall of 2004,
a section of the Bruce Trail was re-routed in Caledon - the Main Trail was removed from the
Caledon Trailway, although links to the Trailway are maintained as side trails. A portion of the
Bruce Trail passes through Glen Haffy Conservation Area.
18
Caledon Trailway/Trans Canada Trail (multi-use)
The Trans Canada Trail is a federal undertaking that was conceived in 1992 as a part of
Canada’s 125th year of confederation. It was publicly launched in 1994 as a trail that would
unite the country.
The Caledon Trailway is a 36 km stretch of the Trans Canada Trail, a trail that runs across
Canada. The Trans Canada Trail is a multi-use recreational trail that will accommodate five core
activities: walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling (where
possible or desired). The Caledon Trailway follows the route of a railway line built in the 1870's
by the Northwestern Railway to transport stone, brick, timber and agricultural goods. The Town
of Caledon purchased the railway in 1989. Of the 36 km, 13.2 km are in the Humber River
Watershed. This stretch of the Trans Canada Trail provides non-motorized users an opportunity
to view rivers, creeks, forests and agricultural landscapes.
Great Pine Ridge Trail (equestrian)
In 1973, the Great Pine Ridge Trail was mapped and ridden by equestrians from the Trent River
in the east to the Niagara Escarpment in the west with a portion of the trail running over the
Oak Ridges Moraine. The Trail incorporates both existing local trails and road sections. Within
the Humber River watershed, approximately 42.0 km of this trail pass through the Town of
Caledon and the Township of King, and provides links to the Bruce Trail, Caledon
Trailway/Trans Canada Trail and the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail.
Oak Ridges Trail (hiking only)
The Oak Ridges Trail is a project initiated in 1992 to “expand, secure, develop, manage and
maintain...a continuous recreational trail along the Oak Ridges Moraine, from the Niagara
Escarpment [in the west] to the Northumberland Forest [in the east]” (Oak Ridges Trail
Association, 2004). The Oak Ridges Trail presently exists as a continuous walking/hiking trail
extending over 200 km in an east-west direction across the Oak Ridges Moraine. Portions of
the trail are ideally situated in the Natural Core and Natural Linkages Areas, while other portions
will need to be relocated or constructed in order to achieve optimum trail alignment. Open
year-round to hiking, certain sections of the Oak Ridges Trail provide excellent wintertime
cross-country skiing. The trail passes through forests, valleys, over hills, by streams and lakes,
across open fields, and along quiet country roads, providing the trail user the opportunity to
see many varieties of trees, plants, birds and animal life.
The Oak Ridges Trail has 11.3 km in the Humber River watershed in King Township and the
Town of Caledon.
19
Waterfront Trail (multi-use)
The Waterfront Trail is a 740 km trail along Lake Ontario that celebrates the nature and culture
of the Province. First opened in 1995, the Trail is part of the regeneration of the Lake Ontario
waterfront. The vision integrates ecological health, economic viability and a sense of
community. It is through the Trail that people have been mobilized to improve the waterfront as
they have rediscovered the lakeshore and understood the interconnections, both natural and
cultural, that are so vital to its health and vitality. Trail users report that they enjoy cycling,
walking, in-line skating, jogging, birding and/or exploring the vast natural and cultural heritage
of the Lake Ontario waterfront. The Trail links as many as 184 natural areas, 161 parks and
promenades, 84 marinas and yacht clubs, and hundreds of historic places, fairs, museums, art
galleries and festivals.
Within the Humber River watershed, 3 km of the Waterfront Trail pass along the Lake at the
mouth of the Humber River. The Trail connects to the Humber Trail along the Humber River
and to the trails in High Park.
4.2.2 Local Trails
In addition to the regional trails in the Humber River watershed, the local municipalities have a
number of local trails (totaling 123 km in length) for residents and visitors to use. The following
is a small selection of the trails available in the municipalities.
City of Brampton
The City of Brampton has an ambitious trails master plan, PathWays, for its communities.
Existing trails within the Humber River watershed are limited (only 31.8 km). These trails are
multi-use trails. However, the City proposes an additional 134.2 km of trails be established in
the Watershed.
City of Mississauga
Only a small portion of the City of Mississauga is located within the Humber River watershed.
Within that area, there are 3.2 km of multi-use recreational trail pathway. The pathway is an
asphalt surface, and 3 to 3.5 m wide.
City of Toronto
The City of Toronto has 85 km of paved, multi-use trails in the Humber River watershed. Among
these trails are the Discovery Walks, self-guided walking trails that link the City’s parks,
beaches, gardens and neighborhoods. These trails are accessible by public transit and are
designed as an option for “green” tourism. Three Discovery Walks are found in the Humber
River watershed - the Humber River, Old Mill & Marshes Discovery Walk, the Western Ravines
& Beaches Discovery Walk, Humber Arboretum and West Humber River Valley Discovery Walk
and the Lambton House Hotel and Lower Humber River Discovery Walk (coming soon).
20
Humber River, Old Mill & Marshes Discovery Walk
This 7.3 km Discovery Walk loops through the Humber River Valley from approximately Bloor
Street south to Lake Ontario. Features along the route include The Old Mill, The Old Mill Bridge,
Toronto Carrying Place Trail (a trail used by the First Nations people for millennia as a trade
route between Lake Ontario and the Upper Great Lakes to the north), the Humber River, valley
and marshes, and an early settlement site.
Western Ravines & Beaches Discovery Walk
The Western Ravines and Beaches Discovery Walk is a 6.7 km trail that follows scenic
footpaths and a beach boardwalk. It allows the walk to experience natural ponds and marshes,
oak woodlands and lakeshore parks. This trail loops through High Park, along the Western
Beaches Boardwalk, past the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion, across the Humber Bike/Pedestrian
Bridge, through Rennie Park Ravine and the Swansea neighborhood before returning to High
Park.
Humber Arboretum and West Humber River Valley Discovery Walk
Humber Arboretum and West Humber River Valley Discovery Walk is a 10 km trail that leads
you on a loop through the West Humber River valley on a mixture of paved, hard-packed and
grass trails. You can start at the Humber Arboretum (adjacent to Humber College) or at the
Humberwood Centre. This delightful walk takes you through ornamental gardens, to an
environmentally significant woodland and along the West Humber River, an area once
traveled by First Nation peoples.
Humber Trail
Stretching from the shores of Lake Ontario to Sheppard Avenue, where it forks to follow
sections of both the West Humber and East Humber Rivers, the Humber Trail is 21.6 km long.
This trail is found in the river valley of the Humber River. Bikers, hikers, joggers and walkers are
welcome to use the Trail. The trail is accessible by public transit. Future plans for this trail
include a linkage to the Humber Trail in the City of Vaughan.
City of Vaughan
The Humber Trail (William Granger Greenway) (multi-use)
The first phase of the Humber Trail (8.9 km) was completed in 2000. The trail weaves its way
through the valley of the East Humber River from Bindertwine Park in Kleinburg to Boyd
Conservation Area in Woodbridge, with a link to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and
Boyd Conservation Area. There are plans to extend the trail in future years to the shores of
Lake Ontario in the south and join the Trans Canada Trail to the north. The Vaughan section of
the Humber Trail is dedicated to William Granger, the former Chair of the TRCA, in recognition
of his contribution to watershed management. Plans are in place to extend the trail along the
Humber River to Langstaff Road, when funds become available. Proposed extensions to the
trail include 15 km of additional trail.
The Humber Trail is open for hiking, biking and walking. It includes many significant natural
21
habitats, cultural and heritage resources, recreational and educational facilities, and the historic
aboriginal trade route known as the Toronto Carrying Place Trail. This trail consists of a gravel
main trail and local dirt trails, and is accessible by public transit.
Township of King
King City Trail (multi-use)
Located in the valleyland area of the Humber River, the 3.4 km King City Trail is ideal for
walking, hiking, jogging or cross-country skiing. Bird watching can be enjoyed in a setting
abundant with wild flowers, plant life, trees and waterways. Bridges, boardwalks and stepping
stones allow for safe marsh and river crossings.
Town of Aurora
There are numerous trails in the Town of Aurora; however only a small section of the Town is
within the Humber River watershed. Within this area, there is a portion of a cycling trail that runs
along roads just north of Bloomington Road between Bathurst Street and Bayview Avenue. The
portion of this trail within the watershed is 0.8 km long.
4.2.3 Watershed Report Card Rating
Trails
Objective:
Indicator:
Measure:
Develop a system of inter-regional trails through the greenspace system
Trails
Degree of completion of a network of planned inter-regional, connected trails.
There has been an increase in the length of inter-regional trails in the Humber River watershed
from 185 km in 2000 to 213 km (Table 7). This 28 km increase exceeds the 2005 Humber River
watershed Report Card target of 17 km. An additional 15 km of inter-regional trails have been
proposed in the watershed. Brampton and Toronto have added inter-regional trails to their trail
systems; there has been a reduction in Caledon and Mono. This may be related to re-routing of
trails, which happens occasionally to provide some relief to existing trail areas and to provide
linkages to new areas, or to the change in the boundaries of the Humber River watershed.
In the Black Creek subwatershed, trail linkages have been created in the City of Toronto,
addressing the Report Card target for 2005. However, there is room for the trails to extend
further along Black Creek into the City of Vaughan. This trail system could then be extended
into the East Humber subwatershed through Vaughan and King Township. This would create a
connection from Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine via the eastern section of the Humber
River Watershed.
Adjala-Tosorontio is the only municipality to report no formal trails in the Humber River
watershed. There is potential for inter-regional trails to be located in this municipality.
Connections could be made to TRCA properties in Adjala-Tosorontio from TRCA properties in
Caledon. Although not preferable for the safety of pedestrians, connections to properties could
occur along roadways. Meanwhile, Caledon could provide linkages into Caledon from the
proposed trail system in Brampton. Not all trails need be linked, but extensions along river
22
corridors and valleys could easily be facilitated. King Township has limited municipal trails
within its municipality. There is potential here to link existing trails, as well as extend trails from
the south, as previously mentioned.
Table 7: Inter-regional Trails in the Humber River Watershed by Municipality.
Municipality
Brampton
Caledon
King
Mono
Toronto
Vaughan
Total
Trails Completed
2004 (km)
0.4
88
21
10
85
9
213.4
Trails Completed
2000 (km)
0
94
21
11
54
5
185
Change
0.4
-6
0
-1
31
4
28.4
Numerous municipalities have proposed new local trails in the Humber River watershed,
totaling 168 km in length. Brampton’s proposed system is the most extensive, with over 134 km
of trails proposed in their PathWays Master Plan. Design of new local trails should be informed
by available watershed knowledge. Plans and designs for local trails should consider the
location of existing natural heritage features and their sensitivity to disturbance from trail uses
and avoid highly sensitive features.
Suggested Watershed Report Card Rating: A
The length of trails has increased within the Humber River watershed and the 2005 target of 17
km of new trails was surpassed. There are still areas of the watershed that could benefit from
trail connections being made. However, since the 2005 targets have been met and/or
surpassed, it indicates that municipalities within the Humber River watershed consider the trails
to be an important aspect of public use and recreation.
4.3
Resource-based Tourism
Within the Humber River watershed, the TRCA lands, especially the conservation areas,
provide much of the resource-based tourism opportunities. For example, Albion Hills
Conservation Area allows for fishing, boating, skating and skiing opportunities, all activities
which use the natural resources available to them. Glen Haffy Conservation Area provides
visitors with the opportunity to fish and hike its trails.
Boating has always been a part of life on the Humber River. Today canoeists paddle the lower
Humber from the Humber Marshes to the Old Mill and can paddle the West Humber River for
about three kilometers upstream of the Claireville Reservoir. Humber Bay is used extensively by
rowers and sailors.
There are some other tourism opportunities in the watershed that also are based on natural
resources. Some of these opportunities are noted below.
23
Daniel’s Ark Wildlife Preserve
Located in Bolton, Daniel’s Ark Wildlife Preserve is a Canadian wildlife preserve that cares for
foxes, wolves, lynx, cougars, a bear, a mink, raccoons and a coyote. Other wild creatures,
including Canada Geese, mallards and blue herons, visit the Preserve as well. It is a living
laboratory for education and research. School groups are encouraged to visit, allowing children
to develop respect for nature and understand conservation techniques in the living classroom.
The Preserve also offers children’s camps during the summer months.
Bolton Fall Fair
The Bolton Fall Fair, in existence since 1858, is held annually at the Albion and Bolton
Agricultural Society Fairgrounds in Bolton. Attractions include a demolition derby, a parade, an
agriculture learning centre, a milking competition, a midway, and livestock and cattle shows.
The Fair is fully accessible and is coordinated by the Albion and Bolton Agricultural Society.
Humber Nurseries Butterfly Conservatory
At the Humber Nurseries in Brampton, a 4,500 square foot, mesh-enclosed house has been
created with all the essential food plants for butterflies. The butterfly conservatory is home to
thirty (30) species of native butterflies, plus the migrating Monarch butterfly. In addition to these
species, the conservatory also features many more spectacular southern varieties. The exhibit
is also informative and educational as there are display boards in place featuring full colour
photographs of each species and information on their food plants and habits. Their life cycle
showing the many stages of their growth is fully illustrated.
Wild Water Kingdom
Wild Water Kingdom is Canada’s largest water park, occupying over 4 hectares on the grounds
of Claireville Conservation Area in Brampton. Open from early June to Labour Day weekend,
the park has a children’s play area, 21 water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, two miniature golf
courses, batting cages, food courts and 50 picnic areas.
Etobicoke Field Studies Centre
Also located in Claireville Conservation Area, the Toronto District School Board’s Etobicoke
Field Studies Centre has programs for students from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Using the diverse
population of animal life found within the boundaries of the park, the natural resources of the
area make it an ideal location for introducing students to the natural environment. The Centre is
open throughout the school year.
King Brewery
Located in Nobleton, in the Township of King, King Brewery is Ontario’s newest microbrewery.
Opened in July of 2002, the brewery produces a one of a kind, true to style, Czech Pilsner.
King Brewery is committed to providing a locally produced beer. At the Brewery, the visitor can
take a tour of the brew house, visit the tasting bar and shop the gift store.
Magnotta Winery
24
Magnotta Winery has one of its seven locations in the Humber River watershed, in the City of
Vaughan. This location is the company’s flagship facility. The 60,000 sq. ft. architectural
triumph has high cathedral ceilings that give way to the extensive art collection. The retail store
offers over 150 products. A tour of the winery includes a stroll along vine covered trellises and a
visit to the temperature controlled wine cellars, where vintages age in barrels and bottles of
champagne line the walls. The tour also looks at brewing premium, all natural, craft brewed
beers at Magnotta Brewery, and home wine making with Fiesta Juice. The winery is in
production and open to the public year round.
Pine Farms Orchard
Located in the rolling hills of the Township of King, Pine Farms Orchard is a new fruit winery
specializing in hard cider and apple wine. The family-run operation started in the mid-1940s.
The Orchard also has its own apple orchard, bakeshop, tea room and gift shop. Sixteen
varieties of apples are grown on dwarf trees. A Christmas store and Christmas trees are
available in the holiday season. Tours for school groups and family functions are available.
Pine Farms Orchard is open from mid-August to the end of December.
Vinoteca Winery
In Woodbridge, Vinetoca Winery produces award-winning wines. Founded in 1989, Vinoteca
was the first Greater Toronto Area winery. Wine tastings, winery tours and great gifts are
available year-round.
Woodbridge Fair
The first Woodbridge Fair was held in 1847. In 1885, a permanent property was purchased on
the 8th Concession (now Kipling Avenue) at Porter Avenue, and the fair held there the following
year. The Woodbridge Agricultural Society operates the annual fair on Thanksgiving weekends.
The Fair has exhibits for agricultural products, art, culinary art, needlework, crafts, antiques,
horticulture, school children and amateur photography. There are also concessions and a
midway. Events held at the Fair include a demolition derby. The fairgrounds include a half-mile
race track completely surfaced with limestone dust allowing use year round. The fairgrounds
have also been the place of many community events and even as an emergency relief station
area due to the aftermath of destruction from Hurricane Hazel. There have been elegant garden
parties, auction sales, movie productions, art and craft shows, a rodeo show, antique and
garden markets, and numerous cultural festivals held at the fairgrounds over the years.
4.4
Recreational Fishing
Recreational angling is permitted in the Humber River watershed, subject to provincial fishing
regulations. There are many popular angling destinations within the Humber River watershed.
Some of these locations include Albion Hills, Claireville, Cold Creek and Glen Haffy
Conservation Areas, Bolton Resources Management Tract, Lake Wilcox, Grenadier Pond in
High Park, the Humber River Marsh, the Lower Humber River, Summerlea Park and Eglinton
Flats. As mentioned previously in this chapter, Glen Haffy Conservation Area operates a flyfishing club that provides access to the private Headwaters Trout Ponds. Boats can be
launched from the Humber Marshes.
25
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources stocks over 1.5 million fish every year for urban
anglers, the majority of these in the Lake Ontario watershed. One of the popular rivers that
enter the lake is the Humber River, which the Ministry stocks with brown or rainbow trout,
Chinook, Coho or even some Atlantic salmon. With limited natural reproduction, these cold
water species are the main fish stocked in the GTA.
In order to ensure long term, naturally reproducing, self-sustaining native populations, the
stocking of fish species, including non-native species, must be measured and monitored. A
comprehensive understanding of the recreational use and harvest of the fishery in the
watershed has not yet been completed.
4.5
Golfing
There are 24 golf courses in the Humber River watershed. These include private (8), semiprivate (1) and public facilities (15). There has been a growing effort among some golf course
managers to reduce negative impacts on the watershed and incorporate more natural
landscaping. Of the 24 golf courses in the Humber River watershed, four courses (Diamond
Back Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Nobleton Lakes Golf Club in the King, Oakdale Golf, and
Country Club and the Toronto Board of Trade Golf Course in Toronto) are Certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuaries. As such, they contribute to the conservation of resources and the
protection of both common and rare plants and wildlife by implementing environmental
practices in the following areas: environmental planning, enhancing and protecting wildlife and
their habitats, conserving and preserving water, resource conservation, reducing waster, and
outreach and education. They also serve as important local and national demonstration sites
and provide valuable data about the economic and environmental results of environmental
management. This change in the focus of golf course management will continue to influence
how the public will experience golf courses.
5.0
SUMMARY AND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The Humber River watershed has many opportunities for a variety of nature-based recreation
experiences. The public greenspace, trails and private facilities accommodate a wide range of
uses allowing for many recreational demands to be satisfied. While the characterization of
these nature-based areas and experiences has been crafted for the purposes of this study,
there is a need for greater recognition of the overall regional recreational system. It is
comprised of lands and facilities operated by a variety of partners, and the role of each
individual site needs to be recognized for its contribution to the system.
Watershed visitors and those seeking other recreation and tourist experiences come from
throughout the watershed and beyond, so planning at a broader regional scale is essential to
ensure sufficient access to public lands, to provide adequate management and to protect
natural areas and ecosystem health for current and future generations.
The Humber River watershed has the basis for a significant, inter-connected regional open
space system including regional trails, conservation areas, and major parks. This system could
be further developed to reach its potential to provide nature-based recreation experiences for a
growing population, support for healthy communities, interpretation of natural and cultural
26
heritage, linkages with local neighborhoods, and connections to surrounding watersheds.
As a Canadian Heritage River, protection and enjoyment of the diverse cultural heritage of the
Humber River is an important objective. Cultural heritage features and landscapes are
increasingly becoming recognized for their integral role in nature-based recreation.
Countryside heritage offers a unique setting for scenic drives, hiking and other recreational
pursuits. Heritage buildings are being considered for adaptive re-use, for such purposes as
interpretive centres, restaurants or pubs that could complement and support various naturebased recreational activities with the additional benefit of fostering understanding and
appreciation of the watershed’s heritage.
The outdoor recreation and tourism facilities in the watershed generate dollars for the local
economy and contribute to community and family life by alleviating stress and promoting good
health. People need safe access to greenspace for their own health and well-being. Statistics
show that the need for outdoor activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing, horseback
riding, camping and canoeing is increasing. As well, people are increasingly interested in
taking part in nature-related activities in the countryside such as bird watching, hiking,
adventure travel, and environmental education experiences. These factors, together with the
massive population growth expected in the Greater Toronto Area, suggest that there will be an
increased demand for recreation in the Humber watershed in the years to come. Although part
of this demand can be met through more intensive use of existing facilities, in the long run
there will be a need for new venues for outdoor recreation. Insufficient access leads to
excessive pressure on existing public lands and the degradation of these resources. This is
something to be avoided in the Humber River watershed.
While public use of greenspace areas can provide many benefits to the community, it is also
associated with negative impacts on the natural environment and adjacent landowners. This
may include environmental degradation, habitat destruction and noise pollution. Due to the
growing pressures that are being put on greenspace, it is imperative that appropriate indicators
are developed to monitor the levels of recreational use and the impacts on ecosystem health.
Some indicators mentioned in Section 4 include installing trail counters and measuring erosion,
waste accumulation, cultural heritage damage, fish depletion, and the trampling and
destruction of plant and animal species. The information supplied by monitoring indicators
should be integrated into greenspace planning and conservation area management planning
initiatives.
The indicators currently used to measure nature-based recreation in the Humber River
Watershed do pose some problems. Some of these indicators are not ones that TRCA and/or
municipalities track. TRCA is able to track attendance at its facilities, the greenspace it acquires
and the trails that it builds. Municipalities are able to indicate the greenspace they acquire and
own, and which parks and other outdoor recreation facilities they operate. However, these
groups have limited ability and time to track other outdoor recreation opportunities. Therefore,
it is recommended that the Humber River Watershed Plan and Report Card do not track the
extent of outdoor recreation opportunities. A summary of the most significant opportunities
available and ones which are not, to provide a context for recreation opportunities in the
watershed, would be a better use of staff time.
In addition, all TRCA watershed plans should strive to use the same indicators and measures
for nature-based recreation. This would allow for comparison between the watersheds and for
27
easier tracking by TRCA staff. Requests from the various municipalities could be consolidated
and measures for the individual watersheds could be determined through TRCA mapping.
In order to be able to accommodate future demands for outdoor recreation, the TRCA and the
municipalities should begin to acquire lands for publicly-accessible greenspace in rural areas,
especially the upper reaches of the West and East Humber subwatersheds. As urban
development extends north to the Oak Ridges Moraine, the demand for greenspace in the
northern reaches of the watershed will follow. By acquiring properties now, the municipalities
and the TRCA can plan for and accommodate nature-based recreation on these lands. When
acquiring greenspace lands, consideration should also be given to making connections to
these new acquisitions, either through greenspace connections or trails.
Rural communities should look at acquiring public greenspace as a catalyst for attracting
tourism and associated service industries. These initiatives would benefit the local economy as
well as protect the natural environment. Rural communities located within the Oak Ridges
Moraine Conservation Plan and the Greenbelt Plan areas could greatly benefit from this type of
initiative. Land acquisition and development of greenspace should be done in conjunction with
the TRCA to ensure that the new greenspace lands are strategically acquired within a regional
context.
Some of the inter-regional trail groups are seeking to extend their trails and link them to other
trails in the Humber River watershed and beyond. Partnerships between agencies,
municipalities and community representatives will assist in developing a sustainable and
financially viable trails system. As well, local stewardship of trails can help to promote a sense
of ownership of the area, which can lead to a stronger sense of environmental protection for
the greenspace by local residents. Signs used in public parks and along trails are an excellent
medium for providing users with directions and to educate them about the environment and the
cultural heritage of the area. Signs should illustrate what is unique about the area and what trail
users and local residents can do to conserve the natural and cultural heritage.
All trail implementation and the acquisition and operation of new properties needs to consider
the available watershed knowledge as well as the watershed plan. Planning for nature-based
recreation should take into account the sensitivity of flora and fauna species, communities, and
landforms. Given the identification of sensitive areas such as the habitat of rare fauna species,
rare flora communities and groundwater discharge areas through site management plans or
the watershed plan, recommendations and policies should be developed regarding what uses
in these areas should be permitted and what conditions would have to be met to allow public
use. In order to maintain a healthy and functioning terrestrial and aquatic natural heritage
system, public use and recreation activities may need to be restricted in some areas.
The greenspace system should be managed for planned sustainable uses and public
enjoyment. In order to ensure that land is managed most effectively, management plans for all
properties should be completed. Indicators to measure this sustainability would include the
development of management plans and sustainable public use and enjoyment. Conservation
Areas located near significant areas of urban growth should be priority areas for the
development of new management plans if they do not already have one. An example of this is
Boyd Conservation Area, where the suburban community is rapidly surrounding the park.
Watershed users come from across the region and planning at a watershed and broader
28
regional scale is essential to determining sufficient access to public lands and providing
adequate management and protection of natural areas to benefit the ecosystem and current
and future generations. With the population rapidly increasing in the Humber River watershed
and surrounding area, it is important that environmental thresholds in relation to public use be
identified and that use be monitored before environmental integrity is threatened. The existing
range of opportunities needs to be reviewed and considered in relation to potential
environmental impacts to identify inappropriate uses and redirect those users.
With increased development, comes increased pressure on remaining greenspaces. In areas
of future development, there is a need for nature-based recreation to be considered early in the
development process so that needs are addressed and money can be received from
developers (so that municipality alone does not have to pay).
29
6.0
REFERENCES
J.D. Power and Associates. 2006. 2006 New Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study. TRCA
Supplemental.
Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (MTRCA). 1997a. Legacy: A Strategy
for a Healthy Humber.
Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (MTRCA). 1997b. A Call to Action,
Implementing Legacy: A Strategy for a Healthy Humber.
Oak Ridges Trail Association. 2004. A Strategic Plan for the Oak Ridges Trail.
Parc Downsview Park Incorporated. 2004. Parc Downsview Park. Available at
<http://www.pdp.ca>.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). 2000. A Report Card on the Health of the
Humber River Watershed.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). 2007. Humber River State of the
Watershed Technical Report – Terrestrial System.
30
Appendix A: TRCA and Municipal Information Contacts
The following persons provided technical input used to prepare this report.
TRCA Contacts
Division
Section
Contact Person
Contact Information
Finance and
Business
Services
Conservation
Lands and
Property
Services
Deanna Cheriton
(Conservation
Land Planner)
(416) 661-6600, ext. 5204
[email protected]
Mike Fenning
(Senior Property
Agent)
(416) 661-6600, ext. 5223
[email protected]
Daniela
MacLeod
(GIS Technician)
Martha Wilson
(Administrative
Coordinator)
(416) 661-6600, ext. 5730
[email protected]
Contact Person
Gerry Caterer
(Head of
Planning)
Jim Kyle
Contact Information
[email protected]
Phone: 905-936-3471
Conservation
Lands and
Property
Services
Parks and
Culture
Information
Technology
Conservation
Parks
(416) 661-6600, ext. 5674
[email protected]
Municipal Contacts
Municipality
Township of
AdjalaTosorontino
Town of
Aurora
City of
Brampton
Department
Planning
Department
Town of
Caledon
Recreation
and Property
Services
Parks and
Recreation
Township of
King
Community
Design,
Parks
Planning &
Development
Bryan Smith
(Supervisor of
Open Space
Planning, Parks
& Facility
Planning)
Brian Baird
(Manager of
Parks)
Catherine Purcell
(Manager of
Parks and
Recreation)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: 905-874-2338
Fax: 905-874-3369
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: 905-833-5321 x265
Fax: 905-933-2300
General Inquiries:
[email protected]
31
Municipality
City of
Mississauga
Department
Development
Town of Mono Recreation
Facilities and
Programs
Town of
Richmond Hill
City of
Toronto
Parks,
Recreation
and Culture
Contact Person
Paul Taylor
(Manager,
Development)
Kim Lemke
(Recreation
Manager)
Contact Information
[email protected]
905-896-5360
[email protected]
Phone: 519-941-3599 x27
Fax: 519-941-9490
Judy Kohne
Phone: 519-941-3599 x24
(Recreation
Assistant)
Siu Yu
[email protected]
(Manager of
Phone: 905-771-5509
Parks Planning &
Development)
Brent Harlow
(Parks Planning
Technician)
Economic
Jack Brown
Development, (Research
Culture and
Analyst)
Tourism
[email protected]
Phone: 905-771-2474
Fax: 905-771-2481
[email protected]
Phone: 416-392-0084
Fax: 416-392 0050
Parks and
Recreation
Dept.
Brian Rutherford
(Manager of
Parks and
Recreation
Planning)
[email protected]
Phone: 416-392-8179
City Planning
Paul J. Bedford
(Director & Chief
Planner, City
Planning)
[email protected]
32
Appendix B: Municipal Parks and Facilities in the Humber River Watershed
(AS OF JANUARY 2005)
For more detailed information about facilities and permitted activities at these locations, please
contact the appropriate municipality.
City of Brampton
• Bellini Valley Park
• Blue Jay Park
• Carabram Park
• Carberry Park
• Cassin Park
• Castlegrove Park
• Castlemore Park
• Cheval Parkette
• Clover Bloom Parkette
• Ebenezer Community Centre
• Ezard Park
• Gladstone-Shaw Park
• James William Hewson Park
• Kanashiro Parkette
Town of Caledon
• Adam Wallace Memorial Park
• Bill Whitbread Park
• Caledon Ball Park and Community
Centre
• Caledon East Soccer Complex
• Caledon Leash-Free (Dog) Park
• Caledon North Hill Park
• Dell’Unto Park
• Dicks Dam Park
• Edelweiss Park
• Ellwood Park
• Foundry Street Parkette
• Fountainbridge Park
• Goodfellow Crescent Park
• Heritage Hills Parkette
• Hubert Corless Park
• Humber Grove Park
• John W. Nichols Park
• Jack Garrett Park
• Julli’es Park
• Lions Club Community Park
• Mill Park
33
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lucinda Park
Manswood Park
Martyniuk Park
McVean Park
Merrydale Park
Pendergast Park
Rathcliffe Woods
Sesquicentennial Park
Snowcap Park
Steeplebush Parkette
Thorndale Parkette
Treeline Park
The Gore Bocce Club
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Montrose Farm Park
Munro Street Parkette
Newhouse Park
Palgrave Ball Park
Palgrave Tennis Courts
Peter Eben Park
R J.A. Potts Memorial Park
Russell and Joan Robertson Park
Sant Farm Parkette
Stationlands
Stephen Drive Parkette
Stonehart Park
Ted Houston Park
Tormina Parkette
Trans-Canada Trail Pavillion Park
Valleywood Park
Victoria Park
Wakely Memorial Park
Westview Parkette
Whitbread Parkette
Township of King
• Heritage Park
• Humber Trails Conservation Area
• King City Memorial Park,
Community Recreation Centre and
Arena
•
Laskay Community Hall
Nobleton Community Hall,
Recreation Centre and Pool
St. Edmunds Sparkling Cricket Club
City of Mississauga
• Albert McBride Park
• Father Joseph E. Nolan Park
•
Westwood Park
Town of Richmond Hill
• Beaufort Hills Park
• Black Willow Park
• Briar Nine Reserve
• Briar Nine Park
• Brickworks Park
• Catfish Pond Park
• Channel Gate Parkette
• Charles Connor Park
• Coons Park
• Hughey Park
• Humber Flats Community Park
• Jessie Vanek Park
• Lake Wilcox Centre
• Lake Wilcox Channel
• Lake Wilcox Fish and Wildlife
Sanctuary
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Minthorn Park
North Shore Parkette
Oak Ridges Meadow Park
Oak Ridges Recreation Complex
Ozark Community Park
Parker Park
Pine Greenway
Pine Farm Park
Pine Needle Park
Raccoon Park
Snively Reserve
Sunset Beach Park
Willow Hollow Park
Woodside Parkette
•
•
City of Toronto
• Derrydowns Park and Black Creek
Parklands
• Downsview Dells Park
• Eglinton Flats Park
• Esther Lorrie Park
• Etienne Brule Park
• James Gardens
• High Park
• Home Smith Park
• Humber Marshes Park
• Humber Arboretum Park
• Humberwoods Park
• Keelesdale Park
• King’s Mill Park
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
34
Lambton Woods Park
Metro Toronto Track and Field
Centre
Northwood Park
Raymore Park
Rowntree Mills Park
Royalcrest Park
Scarlett Mills Park
South Humber Park
Summerlea Park
Thistletown Area Park
West Humber Park
Weston Lions Park
City of Vaughan
• Al Palladini (West Vaughan)
Community Centre
• Alexander Elisa Park
• Almont Park
• Arberdeen Parkette
• Belair Way Park
• Bidnertwine Park
• Blue Coin Park
• Blue Willow Square
• Chancellor District Park and
Community Centre
• Crofters Park
• Doctors McLean Park
• Father Ermanno Bulfon Park and
(West Woodbridge) Community
Centre
• Forest Fountain Park
• Fossil Hill Park
• Fred Armstrong Park
• George Stegman Park
• Giovanni Caboto Park
• Hayhoe Park
• Humber Valley Parkette
• Jersey Creek Park
• Joey Panetta Park
• Kiloran Park
• Kipling Parkette
• La Rocca Square
• Le Parc Saint Jean de Brebeuf
• Maples Park
• Marco Park
• Maxey Park
• McLure Meadows Park
• Memorial Hill Park
• Michael Fitzgerald Parkette
• Michael Barrasso Park
• Napa Valley Park
• Nort Johnston District Park
• Old Firehall Parkette
• Parwest Park
• Rainbow Creek Park
• Ranch Trail Park
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
35
Rimwood Park
Robert Watson Memorial Park
Starling Park
Sunset Ridge Park
Sylvan Brook Parkette
Tammy Breda Park
Tanana Hill Parkette
Tinsmith Parkette
Torii Park
Valley Edge Parkette
Vaughan Grove Sports Park
Vaughan Mills Park
Vellore Heritage Square
Velmar Downs
Weston Downs
Wilson Century Theatre Park
Woodbridge Avenue Parkette
Woodbridge Highlands Park
Woodbridge Pool and Memorial
Arena

Humber River State of the Watershed Report

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