Restoring Belfountain Conservation Area

We’re restoring Belfountain Conservation Area to help protect and manage the natural and cultural heritage of the property. 

Project Overview

In 2017, the Minister of Environment approved CVC’s Environmental Assessment to restore a portion of the West Credit River. This is part of Phase 1 of implementing the Belfountain Conservation Area Management Plan. The first phase of the construction started June 2021.

We’re removing the headpond and replacing it with a new 180 metre natural channel in the West Credit River. We’re also lowering the Belfountain dam by one metre to improve its structural stability and enhance public safety. This project will improve the overall health of the river by increasing flow and cooling the water, which benefits the native brook trout population.

Once the dam and channel construction are complete, we will plant 12,000 native trees, shrubs and plants to create new habitat and help protect species at risk.

We will build new flood-resilient heritage gardens in the former headpond area of the park. This new infrastructure is designed to withstand flooding and climate change impacts. Park visitors will have access to the water’s edge through the new 1,500 square metres of heritage gardens.

We will also preserve and restore the Mack Park cultural heritage features, including the historic fountain, stone masonry walls, and the former swimming pool, which is to be converted to a lily pond. Further additions in the Heritage Gardens area include better historical interpretation, a new dry-stone wall feature of Credit Valley sandstone, as well as a new lookout with a playful fox sculpture.

 

 

A new 22 metre span pedestrian bridge will be installed to replace the aging concrete bridge. We are building a new 350 metre boardwalk trail and over 100 metres of trails in the heritage gardens. We’re also upgrading 275 metres of the Gorge Loop and Trimble Trails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Belfountain Conservation Area Restoration Project.

We closed Belfountain Conservation Area to undertake critical restoration projects that will help protect and manage the natural and cultural heritage of the property. In 2017 the Minister of Environment approved CVC’s Environmental Assessment (EA) to restore a portion of the West Credit River. This closure is needed to implement Phase 1 of the Belfountain Conservation Area Management Plan. To safely undertake this work, it is necessary that the park be closed to the public for the duration of construction.

We anticipate that Belfountain Conservation Area will reopen for the 2022 operating season.

The section of the Trimble Side Trail in Belfountain Conservation Area is closed. The section of the Trimble Side Trail that runs through the adjacent Willoughby Property is open.

Other CVC parks are open for the 2021 season. For updated opening dates, hours of operation and other details, please visit our individual park pages.

Membership purchases are non-refundable. The membership program give you access to 12 other unique areas, include Credit Valley Parks and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) locations. Locations include:

Albion Hills, Cheltenham Badlands, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Boyd, Bruce’s Mill, Glen Haffy, Heart Lake, Island Lake, Ken Whillans, Kortright, Petticoat Creek and Terra Cotta.

For more information about all park locations, visit ConservationParks.ca.

Photo Gallery

See the progress that’s happening in this critical restoration project at Belfountain Conservation Area

Dam and Channel Restoration

Heritage Gardens Construction

Bridge and Trail Upgrades

Upcoming Events

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