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Parks, Naturalization Sites

The Elm Street naturalization site is now open.

Experience Niagara's beauty

Explore Niagara's beauty and diversity while hiking the trails and paths at one of our four naturalization sites

Pelham Centre Street

Hours of operation

  • May to October from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • November to April from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Features

  • Leash-free dog park
  • Parking
  • Pavilion
  • Picnic area
  • Public trails and paths

Post information on Centre Street's notice board.

Map of Pelham Centre Street

Port Colborne Elm Street

Hours of operation

  • May to October from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • November to April from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Features

  • Accessible
  • Interpretive panels
  • Leash-free dog park
  • Parking
  • Pond
  • Public trails and paths
  • Wainfleet bog
Map of Port Colborne Elm Street

St. Catharines Glenridge Quarry

Be considerate when using the trails.

  • Pets must be leashed at all times and pet waste must be picked up
  • Large running groups are not permitted
  • Large or organized group activities must be approved by Niagara Region. Call 905-980-6000 ext. 3364 to arrange your gathering.

For restrictions on gatherings, read the Province's COVID-19 public health measures and advice.

Hours of operation

  • May to October from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • November to April from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Features

  • Accessible
  • Children science and nature area
  • Interpretive panels
  • Parking
  • Pavilion
  • Picnic area
  • Pond boardwalk
  • Public trails and paths
  • Viewing area
  • Wildflower meadow
Map of St. Catharines Glenridge Quarry

Wainfleet Station Road

Hours of operation

  • May to October from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • November to April from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Features

  • Parking
  • Public trails and paths
Map of Wainfleet Station Road

Guidelines and background

Park visitors must observe and follow all guidelines and signage posted at the sites.

  • Guidelines for visitors

    To keep the sites safe and clean, residents must:

    • Use recycling and garbage receptacles
    • Keep pets on a leash that's no longer than two metres
    • Follow the guidelines for our leash-free parks
    • Pick up pet waste and deposit in receptacles
    • Be considerate of other users
    • Practise public health measures, including physical distancing of at least two metres, wearing masks, and not engaging in any unsafe activity

    At our naturalization sites, you're not allowed to:

    • Feed or disturb any animal or wildlife
    • Move or damage any building, equipment or structure
    • Light fires and / or barbecues
    • Camp or fish
    • Swim, bathe or wade in water
    • Consume alcoholic beverages
    • Ice skate and toboggan
    • Operate a motor vehicle outside the parking area
    • Operate any remote-controlled vehicle or toy
    • Engage in sport or game
    • Litter
    • Smoke
  • Leash-free dog parks

    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:

    • Keep up-to-date rabies and licence tags
    • Leash your dog while entering and exiting. Keep your dog on a leash that is no longer than two metres when outside of the leash-free areas.
    • Keep your dog within sight and under verbal control
    • Provide adult supervision to children under 16 years of age
    • Not bring glass containers, food or toys
    • Clean up after your pet
    • Prevent your dog from chasing wildlife
    • Not bring puppies under four months old, female dogs in heat, sick dogs, aggressive dogs or dogs that require muzzling
    • Take all personal items from the park
    • Use the appropriate leash-free dog park based on the dog size requirement (small vs. large)

    Niagara Region accepts no liability for use of the park.

  • History of the Elm Street Naturalization Site

    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:

    • Trembling Aspen
    • Eastern Cottonwood
    • Paper Birch
    • Black Cherry
    • Red Maple
    • Sugar Maple
    • Shagbark Hickory
    • Bitternut Hickory
    • Red Oak
    • Burr Oak
    • Basswood

    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.

  • History of the Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site

    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:

    • American Planning Association
    • American Society of Landscape Architects
    • Ontario Public Works Association
    • Canadian Urban Institute
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