Help needed in the Glen

[Dan Andrews]

Volunteers needed to help with work in Niagara Glen

Updated 4 days ago

If you happen to be someone who enjoys going for walks or doing a little fishing in the Niagara Glen, here’s the perfect opportunity to give something back to the environment.

Volunteers are needed to help out with a variety of things that will be taking place in the Niagara Glen beginning Sept. 11.

There’s going to be plenty to do so don’t be afraid to get involved, said Steve Wilson, a member of the Niagara Falls Fire Department, who along with his wife Lisa, often head down the glen for some exercise.

For years, they’ve always brought along some clear plastic bags with them on the way down and fill them up on their way back to the top.

“We head to the whirlpool area and collect litter,” said Lisa, who is a member of the Trails and Bikeway Committee. “Over the last few years we’ve really noticed the erosion has really accelerated.”

They were in contact with the Niagara Parks Commission and expressed their desire to help, which was warmly received because the NPC has also been working on a number of projects relating to the future of the Niagara Glen.

Some new steps and gravel will be added in those places where it has become very slippery going down.

“It’s just such a beautiful area, and if we are able to make it a little easier for people to get down there maybe more people will go there and hopefully bring along a garbage bag,” said Steve.

While picking up some of the regular garbage, the Wilsons have also come across some treasures including messages in bottles that have most likely been thrown over the Falls.

“One time we found a $1 bill that said where’s George and you go to a website and type in the serial number and where you found it,” said Lisa.

They have also recovered numerous tennis balls that they give away to kids or someone who has a dog.

Volunteers who will be working on the trail will need to bring gloves and safety shoes, said Steve.

There will also be less physically demanding jobs that need to be done such as getting food and drinks for some of the workers.

“It’s not all hard labour but some of the work will be difficult,” said Steve.

Anyone who would like to help is asked to call 905-357-2983.

The NPC will be hosting a Niagara Glen Roundtable on the future of the Niagara Glen followed by a Green Symposium. The NPC says it’s giving first consideration to the Niagara Glen as a means to promote continuing education, access control and visitor activity monitoring for this unique ecosystem.

By doing so, they hope to counter the degradation by vandals and other uncaring or unknowledgeable individuals to this vitally important environmental habitat.

To coincide with the Roundtable and Symposium, volunteer work will be happening over several weekends in September to repair and upgrade the access stairs into the Whirlpool area of the Niagara Gorge. It’s a volunteer initiative of the city's Trails and Bikeway Committee in conjunction with the Niagara Falls Fire Department, NPC staff and Niagara Parks Police.

The NPC will also be working in partnership with Ontario Nature’s “Volunteer For Nature” program to further preserve the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, which contains one of the largest concentrations of species at risk anywhere in Canada.

Volunteers, together with NPC staff will help preserve this special place by marking hiking trails and closing unsanctioned trails to keep visitors a safe distance away from vulnerable habitats and species.

Debbie Whitehouse, NPC executive director of parks, said it’s important for them to continue this initiative, and since this activity was planned for a time when Niagara Parks Naturalist Robert Ritchie is retiring, they decided to “seize the moment to both honor his work as our Naturalist and to promote the need for attention and input on the future protection of Niagara Glen.”

NPC Chairman Jim Williams said the preservation of the environment is one of their most basic tenets. “The stewardship role assumed by NPC has been an important aspect of the Commission since its inception. As guardian of a natural trust, we are expected to preserve and commemorate the historical, cultural and environmental significance of all the lands within the Niagara River corridor.”

The Niagara Glen Roundtable will take place Sept. 12, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The guest speakers will be Dr. Andrew Miall from the University of Toronto, Mike Oldham, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Rob Ritchie from the NPC.

The event is free of charge, but participants are asked to RSVP by calling 905-371-0254 ext. 2.

The Green Symposium will take place at 5 p.m. following the Niagara Glen Roundtable held at the Niagara Glen Pavilion. The $50 registration includes “Green” reception in honour of the retirement of Niagara Parks Naturalist Robert Ritchie. All proceeds will go to benefit Niagara Glen projects. Tax receipts will be issued for $25.

tricciuto@nfreview.com

[jwl]

maybe they should go all down by where the Maid of the Mist and stuff is too, and pick up all the little plastic balls that are all over the placedown there for years from the mortor fireworks they shoot off every week , and at the same time, when they bring all these tour groups down there for walks and stuff, tell them no plastic water bottles, timmies cups,candy bars, bags of ships ect, and someone on the tour sees soemone littler, make a fool of them

I have a tonne of times brought a garbage bag down with me and filled it on the way back up.

[Dan Andrews]

It amazes me that when someone asks for help these days and the topic is posted, you get 1 reply in 4 days. Asking people to help or take action is like starting a snorefest thread yet when someone posts about who litters the most or who's to blame or who's got more right to the water, the thread just won't die!

Just an observation thats all .

Figured if I whined the topic may garner some interest.

[bigugli]

Baaaaaaaaa!

[longmayyourun]

Chilli: Great post. The Glen is a fantastic recreational resouce. It certainly takes a beating because of the number of people that travel off the designated paths. Safe access and well marked trails is a good start. I hope that many turn out for this worthwhile activity, and that the Parks Commission directs funds year round to the maintainance of this year round park. Quite often the places that do not make a profit and our not used extensively by tourists are the ones that are neglected in funding..

Whirlpool

[marth11]

if still going on i'll help totally

[Dan Andrews]

I hope that many turn out for this worthwhile activity, and that the Parks Commission directs funds year round to the maintainance of this year round park. Quite often the places that do not make a profit and our not used extensively by tourists are the ones that are neglected in funding..

Whirlpool

But this is exactly what their mandate was designed for! I can see not cutting grass in places to leave a buffer but opening theaters, golf courses and gondola rides should come last. When will this board no longer be appointed. Once taken over by big business there can't be a recovery of direction...... without an election.

[longmayyourun]

But this is exactly what their mandate was designed for! I can see not cutting grass in places to leave a buffer but opening theaters, golf courses and gondola rides should come last. When will this board no longer be appointed. Once taken over by big business there can't be a recovery of direction...... without an election.

Chille well put. They are my sentiments exactly. The parks is to be self funding, and the attractions that make revenue go towards all the park. It seems that there is a disneyfication of the park, and the trying to compete with other tourism operators. Things such as gondola rides, theatres, golf course, should be kept in the private sector. When will the parks learn to celebrate what they have....and not try to become something they are not. (IE a Big Theme Park). To me "attractions such as the totem pole park at the Glen go totally against the mandate. Fencing in half of Wintergreen terrace and charging admission to an attraction that has been a flop. Now they want to venture into private boat clubs and Condominiums at the Niagara Parks Marina, again against the mandate under the Parks Act.

Even the leasing of the Glen shops to the Whirlpool Jet Company in the past does not seem right to me. The jet boats taking away from the pristine nature of the lower gorge. They are desperate for funds. The Parks Commission survived the economic struggles of the depression, and two World Wars. The area around the Falls was even barbwired off during the Second world war..but the park made a recovery. If its not broke.. dont fix it... and that seems to be the direction that the Park has been going in the last 15 years. Let some of the land go back natural as is done in the State Park in New York. Goat island is wonderful example of preservation, and certainly less maintainance then our side, with its trimmed grass, interlocking stones, banners and pesticides.

Take a walk on Goat Island, which you probably have done... and see what a natural park should look like. Some say "oh the Canadian side is so much nicer" but in the state park.(not the City of Niagara Falls NY I would argue the other way.

Whirlpool

[Dan Andrews]

Did I forget to mention the NPC is looking for people interested in forming a "Friends of the Parks" group?

Anyway here's the follow up on the clean up story.

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1270267

* Niagara Gorge

Community effort revitalizes Niagara Gorge

Posted By TONY RICCIUTOREVIEW STAFF WRITER

Posted 53 mins ago

It took a lot of hard work, but the end result is well appreciated by those who use the path leading down to the Whirlpool area of the Niagara Gorge.

"The difference is like night and day," said Steve Wilson, who worked on the project with his wife, Lisa, and a group of fellow firefighters from the Niagara Falls Fire Department, the Niagara Parks Commission and people who just showed up because they wanted to help.

New stairs have been installed and repairs were carried out to existing steps where the stones and gravel had slowly been washed away after many years of use.

About 40 people worked on the project, which was initiated by the city's Trails & Bikeway Committee and embraced by the Niagara Parks Commission.

The work was spread out over a three day period last month.

"The parks commission was phenomenal with all the supplies, equipment and labour they provided," said Lisa, noting the project could not have been completed without the hard work of all those who gave of their time.

The volunteers put in about 135 hours of work, most of which was completed in the first two days of the project.

"A few times we had fishermen go up and down and we told them not to go empty handed so we'd give them a bucket of stones. One guy stayed to help for half an hour," said Lisa.

The 70 new steps are being well used and certainly appreciated by those who use the trail, including firefighters who are sometimes called to the area to conduct a rescue.

"It's really nice to see that the trail is being used safely and it's much appreciated," said Steve.

Lococo's Foods, Moodies Bakery and Tim Hortons on Victoria Avenue provided the food and drinks for the workers.

The volunteers hope to work on another section of the trail next year.

Steve and Lisa, who often go for walks in the glen and pick up bags of garbage while down there, have noticed a marked improvement in the amount of garbage that visitors are leaving behind.

On a recent walk they talked to a teenager who told them he collects garbage on a regular basis.

"I think some people are finally getting the message," said Lisa.

Article ID# 1270267