Your Pocket Guide to Hamilton Conservation Areas HCA has something for everyone…

As the largest landowner within the City of Hamilton, HCA holds in public trust more than 4,400 hectares of land. Aside from our seven major recreational conservation areas, we have many other unique and diverse properties where you can enjoy a day of hiking, birding, or the great outdoors. Included in these areas are 25 waterfalls, 14 properties, 12 significant wetlands, two rail trails and 140 km of trails, an 18,000-year-old-muskeg bog, and one ecological preserve.

How is HCA funded?

Many people believe our conservation areas are paid for by their tax dollars, but that is not the case. User and membership fees pay for trail maintenance, emergency services, property taxes, insurance and all those little things we need to keep our conservation areas open. Just as important, user fees directly contribute to important conservation work throughout our watershed and preserve heritage sites on HCA lands. HCA Membersip Pass

Become a member and enjoy year-round access to HCA conservation areas for 12 months from date of purchase at a great price! Your pass is valid for one vehicle and up to 6 people.

Members also receive a voucher booklet containing one 2-for-1 entry to Wild Waterworks, one admission ticket to the Christie Antique & Vintage Show, and three one-day complimentary conservation area passes to share with friends and family.

Plus, members receive 10% off nightly camping and 15% off boat and pavilion rentals!

Purchase your pass at a Hamilton Conservation Area gatehouse or online, by visiting: www.conservationhamilton.ca Activity Legend

Boat Ramp Interpretive/Education

Boating Mini Golf

Cross Country Skiing Pet Beach

Cycling Picnic Pavilion

K GO IS L F D Disk Golf Picnicking

Dog Walking Restaurant/Food Concession

Fishing Rollerblading

Geocaching Snowshoeing

Go Karts Sports Field G Group Picnic Areas Swimming

Hiking Tent and/or Trailer Camping

Horse Riding (No Rentals) Waterfall

Ice Skating Christie Lake

Looking for a place to do it all? Then Christie Lake is the place to be! While you’re here, you can swim, fish, hike, bike, paddle, picnic, and even play a round of disc golf! Don’t miss the popular Christie Antique & Vintage Show!

Amenities: • Washrooms • Beach Store • Boat Rentals • Picnic Pavilions • Group Picnic Areas • Boat Launch

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise to sunset.

Christie Lake 1000 Highway 5 West, Dundas, ON L9H 5E2 905-628-3060 [email protected]

K GO IS L F G D Confederation Beach Park

Do it all or just a little at Confederation Beach Park! The area stretches 93 hectares along Lake and offers swimming, biking, birding, picnicking and more! Paved Breezeway Trail is great for strolling the beach area.

Amenities: • Washrooms • Pavilions • Group Picnic Areas • Splash Pad

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset.

Confederation Beach Park 680 Van Wagner’s Beach Road, Hamilton, ON, L8E 3L8 905-547-6141 or 1-800-555-8775 [email protected]

G Dundas Valley

The Valley’s 1,200 hectares of Carolinian forests, fields, cold water streams and stunning geological formations are home to an array of rare plants, birds and wildlife. Visit the restored Hermitage Ruins for a little piece of history.

Amenities: • Picnic Pavilion • Food Concession • Washrooms

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset.

Dundas Valley 650 Governors Road Dundas, ON, L9H 5E3 905-627-1233 [email protected] Eramosa Karst

Filled with underground caves and streams, meadows and forests, the Eramosa Karst is one of the watershed’s unique natural gems. The perfect location for a hike!

Amenities: • Public Washrooms • Picnic Area

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset.

Upper Mount Albion Road between Highland Road West and Rymal Road East Fifty Point

Located on , the 80-hectare park offers superb marina facilities and is the place to be for a swim, family camping or a picnic for groups of any size. Amenities: • Boat Ramp • The Landing Restaurant • Fuel • Laundry • Picnic Pavilions • RV Campground • Showers • Washrooms • Lighthouse • Lookout Point

Hours of Operation From 7 a.m. to sunset Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to sunset Saturday-Sunday and holidays, mid-April through August. From sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the year. Fifty Point 1479 Baseline Road, Winona, ON, L8E 5G4 905-525-2187 fi[email protected] Channel 68 VHF for Marina.

G Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls

Located on the escarpment brow, the area is noted for its panoramas and views to the forested depths of the gorge below. The area features the Dundas Peak and two stunning waterfalls; Webster and Tew Falls.

Amenities: • Washrooms • Lookout • Wheelchair Accessible Lookout

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset.

Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Harvest Road, Greensville, ON 905-628-3060 [email protected]

Please visit our website for parking and shuttle bus information. www.conservationhamilton.ca Valens Lake

This 300-hectare area offers the feel of the north, right in your backyard and is a mecca for campers, anglers and outdoor lovers alike!

Amenities: • Group Picnic Areas • Beach Store • Group Camping Areas • Boat Rental • Picnic Pavilion • Boat Launch • Non-Electrical Campsites • Trailer Dump Station • Electrical & Water Campsites • Washrooms • Radio-free Zone • Showers • Water Tap • Lookout Tower • Campground Store

Hours of Operation: Daily, from sunrise until sunset.

Valens Lake 1691 Regional Road 97, R.R. 6 Cambridge, ON, N1R 5S7 905-525-2183 [email protected]

G HCA Watershed Map HCA is responsible for planning and protecting the water within our watershed. HCA’s watershed ultimately drains into Lake Ontario and major creek systems including Red Hill, Spencer and Stoney Creek. In total, the HCA jurisdiction encompasses 568km2 . Westfield Heritage Village

Enjoy a leisurely day in the country as you stroll through over 35 historical buildings, including log buildings, one-room school house, a railway station and more! Westfield offers many events from March to December, with highlights including; Maple Syrup Festival, Ice Cream Carnival, Haunted Halloween and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Westfield also features a trail system for a realxing walk.

Amenities:

• Gift Shop • Washrooms • Public Telephone

Hours of Operation: Sundays, March-December

Westfield Heritage Village 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, ON, L0R 1X0 519-621-8851 westfi[email protected] westfieldheritage.ca

G Wild Waterworks

Take summer poolside fun to the next level! Wild Waterworks offers one of Canada’s largest outdoor wave pools, 4 tube slides, 2 body slides, an Eazy River & Little Squirt Works!

Amenities: • Washrooms • Change Rooms • Rentals • Pavilions • Guest Services • Food Concessions

Wild Waterworks, 680 Van Wagners Beach Road, Hamilton, ON, L8E 3L8 905-547-6141 or 1-800-555-8775 [email protected] wild-waterworks.com

G Natural Areas

In addition to our larger conservation areas, HCA also offers over 3,000 hectares of natural conservation areas. Each area is unique, and is an excellent opportunity for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. • Beverly Swamp • Borer’s Falls • Crooks’ Hollow • Iroquoia Heights • Meadowlands • Mount Albion • Saltfleet • Vinemount Wetland Additional Natural Areas

Devil’s Punchbowl One of the most amazing sites along the Niagara Escarpment, the Devil’s Punchbowl is a 33.8-metre high waterfall, offering views of the many different rock layers through the escarpment.

Ridge Road, Stoney Creek, ON

Felkers’ Falls This escarpment area is forested and features the 20-metre ribbon waterfall, scenic vantage points and trails.

Ackland Street, Stoney Creek, ON Additional Natural Areas

Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve

This unique area, was originally an abandoned quarry. The site was rehabilitated, resulting in the creation of a rare type of wetland called a fen, and is the perfect spot for a hike! Concession Road 7, Flamborough, ON

Tiffany Falls A significant natural area, its bedrock exposures are considered an Earth Science Area of Regional Significance.

Wilson Street East, Ancaster, ON Additional Trails

Dofasco 2000 Trail This 11.5 km trail links the 1812 Battlefield House Museum, Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area, Vinemount South Swamp and the . The trail was developed in partnership with Inc., the former city of Stoney Creek, the HCA and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program.

Chippawa Trail – Hamilton to Caledonia When completed, this 15-km abandoned rail corridor linking Hamilton with Caledonia will become part of the Niagara Branch of the Trans Canada Trail. It will also be connected to the Caledonia-to-Dunnville Rail Trail. Presently, 12-km of the trail has been completed. Additional Trails

Lafarge 2000 Trail This 22-km trail in Flamborough links the Dundas Valley, Christie Lake and the provincially significant Beverly Swamp and Valens Lake. It will ultimately link to , and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trails via the Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail. The trail was developed in partnership with the City of Hamilton, the HCA and the Canada Millennium Partnership Program.

Hamilton to Brantford Rail-Trail The HCA and Grand River Conservation Authority jointly own and operate this 32-km multi-use trail, which runs from Ewen Road in west Hamilton through the Dundas Valley Conservation Area to Brantford. It is Canada’s first fully developed, multi-use interurban trail system. It’s also a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. Links to Paris and Cambridge extend the trail to 80 km. Rules & Regulations at Conservation Areas…

Conservation Areas are open sunrise to sunset.

1. Stay on marked trails at all times. Do not climb or bypass fencing. 2. Please do not deface, remove or damage any property, plants or animals in our conservation areas. 3. Please place your garbage in containers provided. Recyclable materials should be placed in recycling containers. 4. Adults are responsible for watching their children. Please abide by beach regulations. No lifeguards on duty. 5. Public telephones are available at all major conservation areas and campground washroom buildings. For all emergencies – dial 911. 6. Electric motor and non-power boating is allowed on our reservoirs. Rowboats, canoes & kayaks are available for rental at the beachhouse. 7. Please keep your pets on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on beaches, unless designated as pet beach areas. 8. Snowmobiles & off-road vehicles are not allowed in conservation areas. 9. Motorcycles are allowed on roadways only. 10. Vending, soliciting and advertising are not allowed, except by written permission of the Hamilton Conservation Authority. 11. Fishing is allowed as prescribed seasons dictate. Check individual conservation areas for specific information. 13. Alcohol use and possession is prohibited in our areas at all times. 14. Drone use is not permitted in any area for the safety of our visitors. Special Events

HCA offers many annual events within our conservation areas, whether you are an outdoor adventurer or just looking for some family fun! Here are some of our most popular events:

• Maple Syrup Festival • Ice Fishing Derby • Christie Antique & Vintage Show • John Burns Memorial Fishing Derby • Ice Cream Carnival • Equestrian Campout • Haunted Halloween • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Check our website for full event listings. www.conservationhamilton.ca Hamilton Conservation Foundation

The Hamilton Conservation Foundation (HCF) raises awareness, funds and resources for the important work of the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Protecting the natural environment is our collective responsibility. Contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations and volunteers help us to conserve and manage more than 11,000 acres of our watershed, protecting source water, wetlands, forests and trails.

Your gifts also help us to provide environmental education programs for 12,000 Hamilton area children and youth each year. HCF is a registered charity and donations are gratefully accepted.

To learn more about the Hamilton Conservation Foundation or to donate, please call 905-525-2181 or visit: www.hamiltonconservationfoundation.ca. #ExploreHCA

P.O. Box 81067, 838 Mineral Springs Rd, Get social with us! Ancaster, Ontario L9G 4X1 Phone: 905-525-2181 www.conservationhamilton.ca Email: [email protected]