Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System (NEPOSS)

There are in excess of 130 existing and proposed parks and open space areas within the System. The majority are or will be linked by the Bruce Trail. The NEPOSS System is shown on Niagara Escarpment Plan Map 10.

The Ministry of Natural Resources coordinates the development and administration of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System.  

The Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System is owned and managed through the continued cooperation of seven conservation authorities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Heritage Trust, the federal Department of the Environment - Parks Canada, the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, the Niagara Parks Commission, the Royal Botanical Gardens, municipalities and other bodies capable of managing areas in the public interest (e.g. the Bruce Trail Association, local service clubs, approved conservation organizations).

The objectives of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System are:

1. To protect unique ecological and historical areas;

2. To provide adequate opportunities for outdoor education and recreation;

3. To provide for adequate public access to the Niagara Escarpment;

4. To complete a public system of major parks and open space through additional land acquisition and park and open space planning;

5. To secure a route for the Bruce Trail;

6. To maintain and enhance the natural environment of the Niagara Escarpment;

7. To support tourism by providing opportunities on public land for discovery and enjoyment by Ontario’s residents and visitors;

8. To provide a common understanding and appreciation of the Niagara Escarpment; and

9. To show leadership in supporting and promoting the principles of the Niagara Escarpment’s UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Designation through sustainable park planning, ecological management, community involvement, environmental monitoring, research and education.

Because of the diverse environments found along the Escarpment, there are regional differences within the Parks and Open Space System. To fully exploit these differences for the public benefit and to provide destination, and starting points within the Parks and Open Space System, ten focal areas called Nodal Parks have been selected to serve segments of the Escarpment.

These are:

• Bruce Peninsula National Park
• Spirit Rock Conservation Area
• Inglis Falls Conservation Area
• Pretty River Valley Provincial Park
• Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
• Terra Cotta Conservation Area
• Crawford Lake/Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Dundas Valley Conservation Area
• Balls Falls Conservation Area

Nature Reserve

These are areas which represent the most significant and the distinctive natural areas and landforms found along the Niagara Escarpment. These areas serve to protect selected Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest. Management practices and uses in a nature reserve will ensure that the features and values for which the reserve was established remain protected in perpetuity.

Access to these areas will not be widely promoted and activities will be limited to those which can further scientific understanding and education (e.g. scientific research, natural history interpretation, and nature trails or the Bruce Trail). The minimum of facilities necessary to support these activities will be provided.

Natural Environment

These lands are characterized by the variety and combination of outstanding natural features, historical resources and outstanding landscape. Natural Environment areas provide opportunities for the protection of important natural and cultural features. Activities may range from backcountry

hiking in the interior of these areas to car-camping and day use activities in the more developed or accessible areas.

Recreation

These are some of the best recreational environments along the Escarpment. They either occur naturally or are capable of being developed to provide a wide variety of outdoor recreation  opportunities in attractive Escarpment surroundings. In Recreation areas, management and development of resources is appropriate in order to provide the recreational environment and facilities required to support a wide variety of activities. These may be day use only. Facilities for overnight camping may also be provided including campgrounds, temporary yurts and tents, lean-to’s and unserviced camper’s cabins.

Historical

These areas are intended to protect and interpret the distinctive resources representative of the Escarpment’s archaeological and historical heritage. Development of facilities in these lands will be oriented primarily to the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the archaeological or

historical characteristics of the site.

Escarpment Access

These areas will complement the larger, and in some cases, more developed parks or open space areas, by providing opportunities for public access to the Niagara Escarpment at appropriate points along the Escarpment. These areas will normally be small and may provide modest facilities to support day use activities at view points, rest areas, trailheads, picnic sites, scenic areas, fishing areas, beaches, or other points of interest. New Escarpment Accesses may be established by the Ministry of Natural Resources, conservation authorities, or on the initiative of local municipalities or organizations such as service clubs.

Resource Management Areas

This classification includes certain public lands that are managed primarily to provide resource related benefits such as forest products, fish and wildlife, or flood control. These areas will provide many benefits, including recreation opportunities, the protection of important natural and cultural resources and resource products. In most cases, these areas will undergo more intensive resource management than the other classifications.

 

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