HAMILTON CONSERVATION AUTHORITY | SPENCER GORGE-WEBSTER’S FALLS CONSERVATION AREA MASTER PLAN | June 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................... i SECTION ONE: BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Area Boundary ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Master Plan Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Previous Studies ............................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Cultural History ................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Key Issues ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 SECTION TWO: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................ 8 SECTION THREE: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS .................................................................................. 10 3.1 Greenbelt Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 10 3.2 Niagara Escarpment Plan ............................................................................................................................... 10 3.2.1 Escarpment Natural Areas ............................................................................................................. 11 3.2.2 Escarpment Protection Area .......................................................................................................... 12 3.2.4 Minor Urban Centre ....................................................................................................................... 13 3.3 UNESCO ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 3.4 Rural Hamilton Official Plan ............................................................................................................................ 17 SECTION FOUR: INVENTORY and ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Natural Areas/Environmentally Sensitive areas .............................................................................................. 19 4.1.1 Vegetation Communities ................................................................................................................ 20 4.1.2 Flora ............................................................................................................................................... 22 4.1.3 Fauna ............................................................................................................................................. 23 4.1.4 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 25 4.1.5 Topography .................................................................................................................................... 25 4.1.6 Hydraulic Characteristics ............................................................................................................... 25 4.2 Spencer Creek Watershed ............................................................................................................................. 26 4.3 Site Features .................................................................................................................................................. 26 4.3.1 Trails .............................................................................................................................................. 26 4.3.2 Stairs to the Gorge ......................................................................................................................... 29 4.3.3 Lookouts ........................................................................................................................................ 30 4.3.4 Parking Lots ................................................................................................................................... 30 4.3.5 Fencing .......................................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.6 Picnic Pavilion ................................................................................................................................ 31 4.3.7 Bridges ........................................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.8 Washroom Facilities....................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.9 Garbage ......................................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.10 Barbeques/Fire Place .................................................................................................................... 31 HAMILTON CONSERVATION AUTHORITY | SPENCER GORGE-WEBSTER’S FALLS CONSERVATION AREA MASTER PLAN | June 2013 4.3.11 Noise .............................................................................................................................................. 32 4.3.12 Gates ............................................................................................................................................. 32 4.3.13 Signage .......................................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.14 Winter Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.15 Pedestrian Access ......................................................................................................................... 32 4.4.1 Trails .............................................................................................................................................. 33 4.4.2 Family Picnic Areas ....................................................................................................................... 34 4.4.3 Stairs to the Gorge ......................................................................................................................... 35 4.4.4 Hours of Operation......................................................................................................................... 35 4.4.5 General Safety ............................................................................................................................... 36 4.5 Emergency Services ....................................................................................................................................... 38 4.5.1 Calls to Webster’s Falls and/or the Gorge ..................................................................................... 38 4.5.2 Calls to Dundas Peak and Tew's Falls ........................................................................................... 39 4.5.3 Summary and Recommendations .................................................................................................. 39 4.6 Right of Way Privileges ................................................................................................................................... 39 4.6.1 Webster’s Fall Road (private) ........................................................................................................ 39 4.6.2 Trails – Private Land ...................................................................................................................... 40 4.6.3 Lafarge Lands ................................................................................................................................ 40 4.7 Market Analysis .............................................................................................................................................. 40 4.7.1 Regional Significance .................................................................................................................... 40 4.7.2 Market Survey ................................................................................................................................ 41 SECTION FIVE: TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................................. 42 5.1 Existing Transportation System ...................................................................................................................... 42 5.1.1 Road Network Characteristics ....................................................................................................... 42 5.1.2 Site Access ...................................................................................................................................