hiking

Thursday July 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

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Saturday March 12, 2016

Saturday March 12, 2016 Bird watchers asked not to post sightings from Dundas' Olympic Woods Bird watchers have been asked not to post sightings from the Olympic Woods section of a Royal Botanical Garden special protection area. Bruce Mackenzie, director of the Hamilton Naturalists Club bird study group, posted the request on the HNCÕs Hamilton Birders email group, as well as an update stating Naturalists Club representatives will be meeting with RBG staff this week to discuss the use of RBG lands by the public Ð in particular the area behind Westoby Arena on Olympic Drive. ÒRBG has recently posted No Trespassing signs in the area behind Olympic Park. They have asked the members of the HNC to refrain from using the Hopkins Woods Special Protection Area,Ó Mackenzie, a former Hamilton Conservation Authority staffer, posted on the email group. ÒThe RBG has the right to direct how users may use or enter their landsÉthe (HNC) asks members to note the new signs and be respectful of the instructions.Ó The RBG recently began actively enforcing no trespassing rules in the area, after ongoing use of unofficial trails and popularity of the area on Internet bird watching sites. Tys Theysmeyer, director of natural lands at the RBG, said the meeting with HNC representatives was already planned Ð but the Olympic Woods issues raise new areas where the organizations can work together. Theysmeyer said among the topics to work on are finding a source of revenue to manage RBG areas, and an overall management plan for the area between Dundas and Cootes Paradise. ÒIt seems to have been forgotten that we are constantly searching for funds for the trail systems we currently provide Ð as are all the park system partners,Ó Theysmeyer said. (Source: Dundas Star News) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6387312-bird-watchers-asked-not-to-post-sightings-from-dundas-olympic-woods/ Hamilton, Dundas, Royal Botanical Gardens, RBG, birders, conservation, nature, birding, trail, hiking

Saturday March 12, 2016

Bird watchers asked not to post sightings from Dundas’ Olympic Woods

Bird watchers have been asked not to post sightings from the Olympic Woods section of a Royal Botanical Garden special protection area.

Bruce Mackenzie, director of the Hamilton Naturalists Club bird study group, posted the request on the HNC’s Hamilton Birders email group, as well as an update stating Naturalists Club representatives will be meeting with RBG staff this week to discuss the use of RBG lands by the public – in particular the area behind Westoby Arena on Olympic Drive.

“RBG has recently posted No Trespassing signs in the area behind Olympic Park. They have asked the members of the HNC to refrain from using the Hopkins Woods Special Protection Area,” Mackenzie, a former Hamilton Conservation Authority staffer, posted on the email group. “The RBG has the right to direct how users may use or enter their lands…the (HNC) asks members to note the new signs and be respectful of the instructions.”

The RBG recently began actively enforcing no trespassing rules in the area, after ongoing use of unofficial trails and popularity of the area on Internet bird watching sites.

Tys Theysmeyer, director of natural lands at the RBG, said the meeting with HNC representatives was already planned – but the Olympic Woods issues raise new areas where the organizations can work together.

Theysmeyer said among the topics to work on are finding a source of revenue to manage RBG areas, and an overall management plan for the area between Dundas and Cootes Paradise.

“It seems to have been forgotten that we are constantly searching for funds for the trail systems we currently provide – as are all the park system partners,” Theysmeyer said. (Source: Dundas Star News)