Guiding preservation: Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System

NRU
June 10, 2015
By Leah Wong

The creation of a permanent open space sanctuary connecting Hamilton and Burlington will be considered by municipal councils later this month as they review a vision for the preservation of Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.

Burlington and Hamilton councils will consider a management plan for the Burlington Heights Heritage Lands, which is one of six core heritage areas located within the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.

“Burlington Heights was almost a pilot for [the management plans]. We hadn’t done this kind of planning before where we have multiple agencies and multiple properties trying to figure out a common vision,” Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System coordinator Deborah Herbert told NRU.

The Burlington Heights plan was developed by MHBC using the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System planning framework. Through its development Herbert said partner governments and agencies have been able to work out questions of how the plan will fi t into the larger land use planning regime and how it fits into the management of the partners’ individual properties.

“In developing Burlington Heights we were able to address all of those questions,” said Herbert.

While the plan provides recommendations for preservation of the lands, compliance by partner organizations is voluntary.

The Royal Botanical Gardens, City of Hamilton and City of Burlington are the three partner property owners for this area.

As the partners were involved in its creation Herbert said there is hope that it will be adopted as the guiding vision.

Burlington Heights is significant as it contains significant natural and cultural heritage features and important transportation corridors.

“[Burlington Heights] is a small area that is jam packed with really important natural and cultural heritage,” said Herbert. “A lot of animals and plants call that area home and there is a huge cultural significance.”

Sites of cultural importance include Dundurn Castle, the Royal Botanical Gardens and land used as a military camp during the War of 1812. Recommendations related to the cultural heritage of the site include completing an inventory of cultural heritage resources and ensuring new facilities which provide visitor amenities have heritage character and are small in scale.

This area is also home to a number of at-risk plants and animals, including five species of birds that are classified as either endangered, at-risk or species of special concern.

Recommendations to preserve the natural heritage of the site include controlling invasive species, discouraging the access and creation of informal trails and re-establishing prairie habitat.