Improvements coming to south Niagara Parkway

NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA PARKS
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As part of its capital program, Niagara Parks is investing in its infrastructure along the south Niagara Parkway, including road resurfacing work and repairs to the break wall and Niagara River Recreation Trail.

As a self-funded agency of the Government of Ontario, Niagara Parks invests its earned revenue to fulfill its mandate of promoting and preserving the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River corridor, which includes investments to improving and repairing infrastructure across its properties.

Roadwork and Resurfacing

Earlier this month, repairs were completed on the Niagara River Recreation Trail from College Road to Townline Road in Fort Erie. This work will address water pooling issues and trail deterioration on this section of the trail.

Resurfacing work was also completed along Service Roads 2 and 3 on the South Boulevard in Fort Erie.

Construction is underway at the Netherby parkettes along the south Niagara Parkway and expected to be completed by the end of May.

Regarding the replacement of the Black Creek Bridge, after a period of construction that required a detour around the site over the winter months, the newly replaced Black Creek Bridge reopened in April.

Fort Erie Break Wall and Recreational Trail Repairs

Niagara Parks is undergoing the process of restoring the break wall in Fort Erie by utilizing reinforced, stamped concrete to replicate the original stones along the wall’s edge. The first phase of repair work has been completed and the second phase will address the area of the break wall near Mather’s Circle, which has historically been one of the hardest hit areas during extreme weather events. The Niagara River Recreation Trail has also been heavily damaged throughout this section and staff will be incorporating it into the new concrete foundation to help protect it from future damage.

Additionally, over the past several months a coastal engineering team has been engaged to develop an alternative break wall and shoreline protection strategy pilot. The proposed solution is the addition of a stone revetment type structure comprised of large angular stones positioned parallel to the shoreline and behind the break wall. Similar structures have been successfully utilized at other areas along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario by Parks Canada and the City of Toronto. Though the solution will not entirely prevent flooding, it is expected to significantly reduce water and ice damage to the break wall, recreation trail and surrounding lands.

Gonder’s Flats

Gonder’s Flats, a natural area along the Niagara Parkway, adjacent to the Niagara River, is undergoing an extensive wetland restoration and enhancement project led by Niagara Parks. The project began in 2014 and is made possible through collaboration with partners including the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Land Care Niagara, and the Niagara Community Foundation.

Progress to date includes the removal of eroded asphalt, an archaeological assessment, shoreline restoration, trail upgrades to improve public access, the reintroduction of native plant species, the excavation of a 1.5-hectare (4-acre) pond and berms after removing dead Ash trees and invasive species, as well as planting native vegetation, including aquatic plants, trees, grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs.

As the restored area will continue to naturalize gradually over time, the wetland will improve water quality, support local biodiversity, protect species at risk, prevent erosion and flooding, and create recreational opportunities for the community.

Next steps for the project include improving trail infrastructure, adding interpretive signage, and managing phragmites, an invasive plant species. For more information about Niagara Parks’ environmental stewardship work, please visit niagaraparks.com/environment.

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