Jan. 31: Due to construction, part of the walking trail at the Elm Street Naturalization Site is closed. The work will not impact dog park users. Construction will last about one to two weeks.
Explore Niagara's beauty and diversity while hiking the trails and paths at one of our four naturalization sites
Hours of operation
Features
Post information on Centre Street's notice board.
Hours of operation
Features
Be considerate when using the trails.
Hours of operation
Features
Hours of operation
Features
Park visitors must observe and follow all guidelines and signage posted at the sites.
To keep the sites safe and clean, residents must:
At our naturalization sites, you're not allowed to:
We offer two leash-free dog parks for you to enjoy at Centre Street in Pelham and Elm Street in Port Colborne.
Dog owners visiting these sites are subject to the provincial Dog Owners Liability Act and the applicable municipal by-laws when using the leash-free areas. Use the leash-free area at your own risk.
Usage guidelines
Failure to comply with the rules may result in closure of the leash-free areas. You're required to:
Niagara Region accepts no liability for use of the park.
The Elm Street Naturalization Site operated as a municipal landfill site from the mid-1950s to 2008. From the 1990s to mid-2009, Elm Street was also the site of a composting operation.
In 2009, the landfill and composting operations were terminated, and the site was rehabilitated.
Developing the site to be environmentally-friendly
A plan was prepared for the restoration of the landfill and surrounding lands. The focus was to naturalize large portions of the site and to plant with native trees and shrubs to help with the natural regeneration process.
A planting strategy called 'nucleation' was implemented, where clusters of native trees and shrubs were planted to regenerate a tree canopy. These plantings supplement the natural regeneration of plants on the site to create a new woodland ecosystem.
The deciduous trees selected for the natural regeneration plantings include early successional species, such as:
This mix of species planted in scattered groups will create a continuous tree canopy made up of a mix of tree species typical for this part of Niagara.
The naturalized areas of the site will provide habitat for wildlife, and visitors to the site will have opportunities for environmental education and recreation.
The Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site operated as a municipal landfill site from 1976 to 2001. In the 1990s, it was decided that a naturalization site with a trail system would replace the landfill once it closed on Jan. 1, 2002.
The naturalization site is a place to sustain wildlife and provide habitat, while providing residents with opportunities for environmental education and recreation.
Developing the site to be environmentally-friendly
The Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site was one of Ontario's first comprehensive "Green Sites". Efforts were made in the design of the site to reduce energy consumption, reuse natural materials and recycle building materials.
Awards and recognition
The naturalization site has been recognized with a number of awards, including the prestigious First Place and Gold Award at the International Awards for Liveable Communities in Spain.
Additional awards include: