Everybody needs
beauty as well as bread,
places to play and
pray in, where nature may heal
and gives strength
to body and soul.
(John
Muir...American naturalist)
COME VISIT ME...I'll show you
spectacular views from the Niagara Escarpment.
Within these views, Mother Nature has created...bird habitats...richness
of fish....surreal landscape of lake, bay, streams and wetlands...miles of
hiking trails...rarity of specific trees...wild plant life unique to this
geographical area...and “one of a kind” night-time-views from the escarpment
heights to the fairyland of cities' and towns'
sparkling lights within the lake-level valley. “Windows to the Lake”are
parkettes offering rippling Lake Ontario waters and those of Burlington Bay lapping
against the shore. In stormy weather,
observe waves bashing violently against
sea walls with mighty high spray.
We'll observe the trumpeter swans
being hand-fed beside the Burlington Bay waters...seagulls, falcons and hawks
as they soar on wing in the blue sky...swooping blue herons as they rise from
the marsh; we'll cross the Skyway Bridge
that welcomes freighters from abroad to
Hamilton Harbour...we'll view the sandy beaches along Lake Ontario's
shore...sailing regattas on bay and lake...and in winter, view ice boats
sailing on the Bay that spans the distance between Burlington and Hamilton. A
must-to-view is the Royal Botanical Gardens headquarters building in
Burlington.
I fully understood the
significance of “my backyard” when Real Estate clients comment: “We chose this top floor condo apartment with
view to the escarpment (reminding us of our home location in Germany); the
change of colours throughout the seasons is phenomenal!” Another couple from Buenos Aires in Argentina stated, “We love Burlington with its leafy-tree canopy over
the residential areas; we love the waters and rock, the rolling hills and
valleys…especially the wildlife that abound here. This is now our home!”
Like music and
art, love of nature is a common language
that can transcend
political or social boundaries.
(Jimmy Carter)
“Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System”:
A Green Gem for
Our Region
Excerpts, I've
selected from this article published by the Royal Botanical Gardens
in a pull-out section
of the Hamilton Spectator's February 28th issue, 2014.
What makes a city a great place
to live, work and raise a family? The
recipe varies from place to place, but the key ingredients are consistent:
amongst the homes and places of work, the schools and transportation links...great
cities incorporate, celebrate and rely on green space. Think of Central Park in New York, Hyde Park
in London, High Park in Toronto, the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, Phoenix Park in
Dublin or Lincoln Park in Chicago. These parks provide more than a landscaped
corner for occasional recreation. They
give character to cities; they are indispensable as “green infrastructure”
helping to manage and mitigate storm water, pollution, noise and other urban
life consequences.
Hamilton and Burlington now have
the next big thing in urban green infrastructure ~ the Cootes to Escarpment
EcoPark System. Following six years
of background research and public consultation, this new idea became reality in
2013. That's when 9 local government and
non-profit agencies in the two city areas signed the declaration proclaiming
its existence. The Cootes to
Escarpment EcoPark System includes at present, 4,700 acres of parks, nature
sanctuaries and supporting facilities owned by partners.
“Our vision is that it will be
known internationally as a protected, permanent and connected natural lands
sanctuary from the Harbour to the Escarpment that promotes ecosystem and human
health within Ontario's Greenbelt.”
Cootes Paradise itself, the centerpiece of the EcoPark System, has long
been recognized as both critical bird habitat and a place of remarkable richness for fish. John MacTaggart, a British Government
Engineer in 1826 wrote, “I've never seen such a variety of wild fowl as come to
this place. It is strongly recommended to
ornithologists and sportsmen as a place above all others yet known in Canada, most deserving of attention.”
The protection of Cootes Paradise
and its surrounding landscape, so necessary to support the wetland, began in
the 1880's when it became a fish sanctuary.
In the 1920's, this designation was expanded to include wildlife refuge.
In 1927 the City of Hamilton Parks Board purchased most of the wetland. This led directly to the development of the
Royal Botanical Gardens...as a unique, intentional combination of protected
natural landscape and beautiful public gardens.
The partners realized that they can do a better job, in collaboration,
than each do it alone.
In many ways, it's a cultural and
natural heritage crossroads for Ontario. Archaeologists at McMaster University and
University of Toronto have found there were people hunting and fishing along
the shores of Cootes Paradise more than 9,000 years ago. As important as this area is for nature, it's
also been a human habitat for a very long time ~ and we have shaped the
landscape in profound ways.
Amazingly, with so much human
history, the area is also a natural wonder!
As many as half the fish living in the western end of Lake Ontario are
spawned in Cootes Paradise...and the area has been recognized as the richest
place in all Canada for the diversity of wild plant life. It's a critical stop for tens of
thousands of migratory birds every year
and many more make their homes there year-round. Hundreds of thousands of people use the
trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities afforded by the partners in
the EcoPark System every year.
This area not only deserves
recognition and further protection, but it should be celebrated as an amazing,
integral part of the future of our vibrant landscape. For more information,
visit our website at https://www.cootestoescarpmentpark.ca
The Royal
Botanical Gardens
It is one of the main tourist
attractions between Niagara Falls and Toronto. The 900 hectares (2,422 acres)
of nature sanctuary owned by the RGB is considered the “plant diversity
hotspot” for Canada with a very high proportion of the wild plants of
Canada in one area. It's an “Important Bird Area” according to Bird
Studies, Canada. It is part of the Niagara
Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve.
The main building on Plains Road
West in Burlington is a magnificent Presentation Center featuring colourful
seasonal displays, a unique gift shop, lunch delicious in the Garden Cafe,
wedding venues, auditorium meeting rooms. Ride the elevator to the lower level
introducing you to a limestone built waterfall, gardened
walkways to the Tea House. (This artistically
developed area was formerly a
stone quarry with winding picturesque stream).
Yearly, families visit the Rose, Iris and Lilac Gardens.
Of interest also is the Arboretum
and Nature Interpretive Center located near Cootes Paradise. About 18,000
school children per year visit these buildings and grounds for organized
education programs and 200 public education offerings. Craft programs, for
those with artistic interests, are also available..
It is the marriage
of the soul with nature
that makes the
intellect fruitful and give birth to imagination.
(Henry Thoreau ~
American writer 1817-1862)
In my research, I
discovered this writing which enriched me
penned by Kahil
Gibran (mystic, poet and artist 1883-1930)
When the birds sing, do they
call to the flowers in the fields...or are they speaking to the trees...or are
they echoing the murmur of the brooks?
For man with his understanding
cannot know what the rain is saying when it falls upon the leaves of the trees
or when it taps at the window panes. He
cannot know what the breeze is saying to the flowers and the fields.
But the Heart of Man can
feel...and grasp the meaning of these sounds that play upon his feelings . Eternal Wisdom often speaks to him in a
mysterious language. Soul and Nature
converse together, while Man stands speechless and bewildered.
Yet, has not Man wept at the
sounds? And are not his tears eloquent
understanding?
Composed by Merle
Baird-Kerr...March 9, 2014
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