HCA Newsletter Eco-Nnections - July 2010
Classroom Grow Green Project
HCA has a new resource to offer schools looking for environmental initiatives. The Classroom Grow Green Project developed by educational project coordinator Alison Bekendam, starts this September, with 20 grade 3 classes across Hamilton who will be helping their local ecosystem by growing native trees in their classrooms.
Students will start the trees from locally collected seed and observe their growth throughout the school year. As the seedlings grow, they’ll learn more about how Hamilton’s climate allows unique trees to grow here and what might happen to those trees as climate changes.
In April 2011, 500 students will plant their trees in parks and schools yards across the city, increasing the health and biodiversity of their communities. This program will also be a valued part of the grade 3 curriculum, in the growth and changes in plants; an integral part of the science curriculum.
Click here to learn more about this project.
John Burns Fishing Derby
 The John Burns Memorial Fishing Derby is HCA’s oldest public event, first held in 1968, at the Valens Conservation Area. The derby this year was held on Saturday July 10th, and was a great success, with over 150 anglers testing out their luck on the Valens Reservoir.
Adults competed in two categories, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Kids had three categories of Bass, Pike and Panfish. The derby ran from sunrise till 2 p.m. with many excited anglers heading out on the lake at the crack of dawn.
The top three Pike were above 7 lbs., with the top two being over 8 lbs. each. The Largemouth Bass that were caught were also good in size with all three top finishes being over 4 lbs. each.
Click here for pictures and more information on the derby and results.
Dredging at Fifty Point
With very little snowfall this past winter and an unusually dry spring, the Lake Ontario water level had dropped so much that it presented difficulties to larger boats getting in and out of the marina.
In late May, it was apparent that the water in Lake Ontario was at a level normally found in late summer; down about a half meter. With these lower water levels, some of the larger vessels docked at Fifty Point Marina were unable to pass through the channel into the Lake. The issue was presented to the Board of Directors at their June 3 meeting, and approval was given to dredge the channel.
Click here for picture and more information on the dredging.
Valens Stops Chlorination of Swimming Area
 Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Board of Directors has recommended that chlorination of the swimming area at Valens Conservation Area be suspended. The aging chlorination system does not meet newer requirements and poses a potential risk to public safety and the health and safety of workers handling chlorine gas.
The Valens Reservoir is a natural body of water that is part of a dynamic ecosystem. The water is tested by the Public Health Department weekly to determine if there are bacteria which could be present and affect bathers’ health. Should conditions be unsatisfactory, notices will be posted at the beach area and on HCA’s website.
Public notices will be posted at the beach and throughout the conservation area indicating the change. More information on chlorination at Valens.
Up to date beach postings can be viewed on the City of Hamilton's Safe Water page.
Visitors with questions or comments can contact Valens at 905-525-2183 or valens@conservationhamilton.ca
Confederation Park Master Plan
Hamilton Conservation Authority assumed management of Confederation Park from the City of Hamilton in January of 1980. Wild Waterworks construction began in 1982 and was opened a year later in 1983. Lakeland Go-Karts and Hutch’s were local attractions then and still are today. Since then we have seen the addition of Adventure Village, Baranga’s, Beaches, the Lakeland Centre and expansions and additions to the water park attractions.
Now thirty years later, HCA staff, City staff and consultants have been working together to complete a new Master Plan for Confederation Park. The process has been ongoing for about a year now, with public consultation involving online surveys and public meetings and notices. With the public consultation period over, consultants G. O’Connor Consultants Inc. presented the final draft to the Conservation Areas Advisory Board at their June meeting.
The plan calls for a new central gateway to the park at the end of Centennial Parkway, a Central Village concept to accommodate new attractions and developments such as a hotel, restaurants, retail stores, an interpretive centre, multi-purpose fields, and an environmental playground. The go-kart area would be naturalized and the campground would be converted to a municipal sports field area.
Among the public’s main concerns were the addition of a hotel, access via public transportation, a more universal and consistent parking arrangement, maintaining the integrity of the park’s natural figures, policing of park users along the trails and affordability of access.
As a result the Conservation Areas Advisory Board has recommended to the HCA Board of directors that the hotel component be removed, and that the Plan be forwarded to the City for review.
Click here to view the final draft of the plan.
Dundas Eco-Gateway Walk
A walk at the Veldhuis site this past week was one of many public consultation venues to inform residents of the proposed Dundas Eco-Gateway Plan. HCA general manager Steve Miazga led the hike.
Hamilton Conservation Authority, with funding support from a Dundas citizens’ groups, the City of Hamilton and Royal Botanical Gardens, has developed a draft plan for the “Dundas Eco-Gateway Plan”. The concept plan includes a rehabilitation plan for the former Veldhuis Greenhouse site, which HCA acquired as a “brownfield” rehabilitation site in 2009.
What is proposed is a significant remaking and naturalization of the north bank of the Desjardins Canal in a way that can connect and provide an entrance both ecologically and recreationally to the world around it. The recommendation is to naturalize the Veldhuis property and surrounding lands while encouraging managed public access and enjoyment of the unique natural environment.
This initiative is linked strongly two more expansive regional projects: The Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and The Cootes to Escarpment Park Plan.
Click here for more information on the Dundas Eco-Gateway.
Daily WebTV
As part of HCA’s ongoing communications plan, some of the Authority’s programs and services will be highlighted online on Daily WebTV, an online television station dedicated to serving communities in Southern Ontario. They work together with local businesses to provide current and useful information through professional TV segments and articles. Local experts in their industry offer tips, ideas and advice on topics encompassing your entire lifestyle.
Our local experts have recently shot segments for Daily WebTV and will be featured in upcoming months.
Click the links below to View the first two segments
Wild Waterworks' Watersmart Program and Corporate and Group Sales.
Dinner and Dance at Fifty Point
The 3rd Annual Dinner and Dance Under the Stars will be held Saturday August 7th at Fifty Point Conservation area from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. All proceeds from this event will go to the Children’s Charity of Hope, and Fifty Point Conservation Area.
Tickets for this event are $30 for a six-course Italian meal and the dance, or $10 for the dance alone. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Music will be provided by D.J. Perri (a.k.a our own HCA Director Tony Perri). Both D.J. Perri and Elite Events Management have donated their time and services to this good cause.
Tickets may be purchased at the Fifty Point office, or by calling 905-516-8136 or e-mailing info@eliteevents.ca
FOTEK Appreciation Picnic
 Friends of the Eramosa Karst (FOTEK) are showing their appreciation for the support they have received in their quest to add the 80 acres of Feeder Lands to the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area. On August 14 from noon until 3:00 p.m. FOTEK will be holding their annual Appreciation Day at the Eramosa Karst C.A. Highlights of the event include a free pizza lunch, information booths, a metal detecting demonstration, treasure hunting, a hike through the Karst, awards, and a donation to the Hamilton Conservation Authority through the Foundation.
Visit their website for more information on Friends of the Eramosa Karst.
New HCA website
If you haven’t visited our new website, we encourage you to do so. The layout is much easier to navigate, and the search feature helps you find anything you need. The site features striking images of our conservation areas, programs and services, and new features to keep our visitors and supporters up to date with current information.
Our Visitor Alerts tab provides current information on beach closures, trail conditions, or any other valuable information our visitors may need before heading out. Online surveys, sales, and links to other interactive resources such as Facebook (now over 5,000 fans!) will help us better serve and interact with the community.
So, if you haven’t had a chance, visit www.conservationhamilton.ca and experience our fresh new look! |
