Burgoyne Woods - St. Catharines, ON - Rideout, Samantha - Local Landscape Report

Located in one of the oldest parts of St. Catharine's, Old Glenridge is home to Burgoyne Woods Park. Burgoyne Woods Park can be found directly off Glenridge Avenue on Edgedale Road. Burgoyne Woods Park is home to over 46000 Square Meters of location, which is filled with open space, hiking and running trails, a pavilion, dog park and other amenities for the perfect day trip. The land has also been home to local summer camps that use the park to facilitate day activities. The Park is owned and operated by the City of St.Catharines. Burgoyne Woods was often affiliated with the Burgoyne bridge also located in St.Catharines. The reason behind the linking of the two locations is due to them both being named after the Burgoyne Family, a well-known family that owned the St.Catharines standard for many years. The land is acknowledged to be on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe and is recognized. The history that this park has undergone is in direct relations to the land and how it has changed under the impacts of human engagement. As the populations in St.Catharines grew the landscape of the woods was changed and affected to fit the needs of those wishing to appreciate the land in and around their neighbourhood. The park is connected directly to historic parts of St.Catharines due to the water flowing through the park that lets off into the Welland Canal. Although the plentiful amenities that have been built into the park are successful among the patrons, the ecosystems and wildlife that inhabit this park have felt the effects of the human settlement. Although the park is still filled with native wildlife like rodents and small omnivores it in incomparable to what it once was prior to extreme amounts of human influence.

Municipality: Niagara Region

Local area name: St.Catharines

Other identifying names or descriptions Old Glenridge

Latitude and longitude:43°08'46.67"N 79°13'55.56"W

Physical Dimensions

Length: Apprx. 1,245M

Width: A pprx. 618M

Surface Area:418,594 Square Meters

Elevation:

Highest / lowest point : 129M/102M

St.Catharines is home to many parks and recreational areas for families, one of which is Burgoyne Woods. Burgoyne woods is located within the heart of Glenridge, one of St.Catharines oldest areas, on 70 Edgedale Road. The park is nestled at the end of the road and is a picturesque escape from the city life that surrounds it. Aside from the overall aesthetic of the park being comforting the park also offers many amenities that provide an enjoyable experience for a wide range of human demographics. Some of the key features of the park include a play structure, an off-leash dog park for both small and large dogs and sheltered sitting areas. The park is broken down by different letters separating the many sections of the park, the letters ranging from A – E. The park can also be separated into two categories distinguished by their separate parking lots. The first area of the park is located directly when you enter the grounds and is central for the play structure, washrooms, and smaller seated areas. The second half of the park is deeper into the park grounds and is closer in location to the dog park and the park's main walking trail. Burgoyne woods now borders one of the city's golf clubs and has fencing surrounding it to keep trespassers off the lot of the golf course and encloses the park perimeters. The park is home to many native trees to the northern hemisphere, specifically oak trees which are extremely present within the entrance portion of the park. Although the park is one of St.Catharines oldest parks it has undergone many changes in the years both positive and negative that have affected the natural species that have inhabited the land.

Burgoyne Woods Aerial View

Map 1: Burgoyne Woods


The name Burgoyne woods suggests heavily forested areas with strong ecosystems that would provide for animals and species to live, although correct in some sense it is misleading in another sense. The parameter of the park is inhabited with trees and bushes that abruptly stop and introduce the maintained grass areas. Within the parks boundaries there are three open field grass areas that are well maintained with short cut grass. This act of trimming the forest down and creating wide open grass spaces reflects much of the aesthetic that is traditional for grass in the current moment, the look of clean cut grass is appealing to those wishing to sit or play within the park but is counteractive to the natural eco-system that could be benefitting off of meadow like grass and the nutrients within the natural soil. One of the main reasons the parks grass is consistently short and maintained to a heavy degree relates to the recreational activity that the city allows to take place on the grounds.

The foliage and trees species present are mostly native to the land specifically the variations of Oak Trees that are prominent within the none forest areas of the land. Oak trees that reside towards the entrance of the park have been modified by planners to look uniform and are spread apart by a couple foot in-between each tree allowing for park patrons to be able to walk, sit and leisure under the light canopy that it created. Although the trees present a canopy of shade for the patrons the do not follow in succession with two other levels of foliage underneath them, instead they stand alone. The Oak tree is known for its abundant production of acorns that fall from them, these acorns become a vital part of the wildlife that inhabits the park as it is a reliable food source for the small herbivores and Omnivores. Due to the large number of oak trees and acorns small animals and rodents such as red squirrels are habitants of the grounds. The denser areas of the park include three levels of foliage that then create a more hospitable ecosystem for more wildlife to inhabit. Some example of the trees found within the denser areas are American beech and Pin Oak. In the denser areas of the forest within the park you can find the native plant groups to this area while the less dense aesthetic areas outside of this consist of naturalized urban plants communities (Hough 2004).

b) Geomorphology:

From what is written and photographed of Burgoyne Woods we begin to understand that for the majority of its existence it has been untouched land. It previous lives before it became a park never included commercial businesses or residential housing, the only form of building that may have been done here would have been by early settlers, but it is undocumented. The earliest air photos of Burgoyne Woods show that the land has not been used for anything other than public use and it was not until after 1934 did any type of building take place on the grounds. The untouched land prior to its founding as a public park has left the grounds with what Gerd Wessolek refers to as rich soil and was never heavily sealed (Marzluff et al. 2008) Since becoming a public space and maintained by city the soil has undergone harsh changes and had to deal with chemicals that it had not been adapted too. Not only does the city now treat its land with harsh chemicals to tend to the aesthetic of the park but the public events that take place also have an effect on the success of the soils and eco systems that rely on them.

Burgoyne Woods is the host of many community events and sports and leisure activities, although they have a positive impact on the city, they have a negative impact on the soil. The large crowds that gather in the park leave the grounds with extensive soil compaction and create flaws within vegetation that is full of gaps and not able to complete its needed succession (Marzluff et al. 2008).

As it stands today Burgoyne Woods has one major hydrogeological feature that run directly through the centre of the park. When passing over the bridge heading to the second section of the park you witness a small stream that flows through the park, when following the walking trail, you are also able to walk alongside the small creek. The creeks beginning and ending points are not located within the park as it surpasses the borders and eventually funnels off into the Welland Canal. Although the park is located within the city the stream is away from city influence such as drainage pipes, pavement and other human influences therefore it travels at a lower speed then usual city streams (Alberti 2009). Due to Niagara's microclimate the stream is shallow, so much so that a drought could cause the stream to dry up until further precipitation is shed.

Through research it can be noted that the stream currently flowing through Burgoyne Woods has not always been present, air photos from 1934 do not feature the stream and therefore its appearance is more recent. In an air photo taken in 2006, the stream is notably present and therefore we can assume that its creation happened sometime between 1934 and the early 2000s. Although there is no formal proof as to whether the stream was man made or naturally formed, its relation to the Welland Canal can lead us to believe that it was altered in some way by man. The location of the stream in regard to its relation in the park plays a large factor on the species living in the area. The stream is at the lowest level of elevation within the park and therefore collects all run off precipitation from the park grounds. Having this form hydrogeological feature within the park is a positive factor for the ecosystems that exist within the park, not only is it a source of nutrients for the soils and animals who inhabit the area, but it also is a new habitat for fish, reptiles and amphibians that are native to the area. By having this opportunity for more life, they are allowing for further success among their ecosystems while also funneling water into the Canal and therefore avoiding floods within the park.


The Niagara Region is well known throughout Ontario for its interesting Climate in comparison to local areas. The Niagara region is known for having a milder climate in comparison to much of southern Canada. The region's climate is not homogenous meaning that there are varying microclimates located within the region that have all been caused by varying factors often relating to the great lakes and escarpment. The effects that these factors have on each microclimate can result in varying temperatures and precipitation, making the Niagara Peninsula more unpredictable. St.Catharines is closely positioned along lake Ontario and therefore falls into one of four micro climates known as the lake Ontario Plain. The position of St.Catharines in regard to both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie complement each other and counteracting typical lake side climates. Another key climate factor that plays into St.Catharines and the Regions milder climate is in direct relation to the Niagara Escarpment, the work of the escarpment keeps out westerlies that come in this direction. The two large bodies of water that border the region absorb the solar energy being radiated and therefore act as a temperature moderator. Being located along Lake Ontario also provides the parks specific location with a milder climate due to its great depths. Lake Ontario although not the largest of the great lakes, has the greatest depth which means that its freezing point takes much longer than the other great lakes. Lake Ontario acts like a heating blanket for the region and St.Catharines relation to it is a direct correlation to the warmer climate and precipitation patterns that take place. With Niagara already having a warmer climate then most southern locations, its large population and buildings also contribute to the urban heat island theory. Burgoyne woods location is central around areas with tall buildings, paved roads, and residential areas all of which absorb heat from the sun and gradually radiate it into the city's surroundings making it even warmer (Hough 2006). The surrounding areas of Burgoyne woods being urban areas create a warmer microclimate for the park, although the high levels of first layer trees that shelter the park provide shade for patrons. The park as previously mentioned features a larger area of dense trees that provide clearer air quality throughout the park while also blocking out winds that come through the area.

  • Archaeological influences:

Prior to Burgoyne Woods founding and the founding of the Niagara region in general, this land was the location of nomads. The nomads used the bordering lakes to travel the land during the Paleo Indian Period, hunting the land and tracking megafauna that inhabited the area before their extinction. Once the land was no longer useful to them, they would continue on tracking as the nomads were not known to settle in one distinct area. For many years the land was used for resources but did not see settlement on the land until the Late Woodland Period. The Neutrals were the first people to inhabit the land, they were an indigenous confederation that consisted of roughly 10 tribes who lived along the Niagara River. The Neutrals inhabited the land and gained their name due to their position among the neighboring tribes who were enemies of each other. The neutrals positioned also allowed them to act as a safe ground for other indigenous peoples looking to leave their tribes, therefore growing their population (Nobel 1984). The region that the neutrals inhabited acted as a funnel for trading, they had a prime location that allowed all tradesman to come through their area. Unfortunately, the easy accessibility of the land also led to the downfall of the neutrals, the easy accessibility also brought negative outside influences onto the land such as diseases and therefore eventually caused the extinction of the Neutrals.

  • Land use history:

The loyalists were the first to settle on the land following indigenous settlement and took their crown patents at the merge of Dicks Creek and 12 Mile Creek merge. The water routes of Niagara were one of the main factors enticing the loyalists to the area, they were able to travel and trade easily throughout the region throughout their earliest settlements. Although there is no direct documentation of Burgoyne Woods or the Glenridge area being affected by the Loyalists and their colonies, it is documented that the Niagara Region was influenced to look similar to the loyalist's homeland. Burgoyne Woods was is now named after The Burgoyne family, an influential family that owned and operated the St.Catharines standard.




Education / Interpretation:

At the current moment Burgoyne Woods does not offer any educational or interpretive resources. Burgoyne Woods does offer a website, but it does not provide much detail in regard to education or resources offered at the park. The website is currently run through the St.Catharines city website.

Architectural Heritage:

Burgoyne woods has been an open public space since before 1934 as proven through figure ***. The open fields and wooded areas have not provided any built environments to be established within the park and therefore there is no documentation of architectural heritage buildings being located on the premises. Although no historical architectural buildings were found on the land, in 1979 a picnic shelter was built by the St.Catharines Boomerangs and has been on the land ever since. The shelter has signage on it that displays its making as well as the year it was made as shown in the images below. The park itself only has three buildings on the premises to date, the picnic shelter, the picnic pavilion and meeting house, and the public washrooms. The protection of these buildings is not necessary as they have little historical value.

Recreational Uses:

Burgoyne Woods is used frequently for many recreational uses within the community of St.Catharines. The parks use by its community is one of the main factors that separates it from other parks within the city. The park features many amenities that intrigue local residents and community partners to hosting events, camps and other activities at the park. In the summer months the park is home to Camp Wetaskiwin, a summer camp program that is run through the cities YMCA program and the local boy scout troupe and accepts children from ages 5 to 15. This camp program is run as an outdoor adventure camp that consists of day activities within the park. Burgoyne Woods is also used by the District School Board of Niagara, for their annual cross country runs that take place between October and November. The terrain and large landmass make it an ideal location for this type of sporting event but can also cause harm to the eco systems that are in place due to the extreme amounts of people running through them and inhabiting them for the day. Aside from these two specific events that happen annually the park is also often used for community events such as Bridges for Autisms summer barbeque that took place on the grounds in 2017, bringing vendors, patrons and bouncy castles. As previously mentioned, the park also features amenities that can be used by the public at any time during open hours such as tennis courts (during summer months), play structures and a dog park.


Ownership, jurisdiction, access, and management

Burgoyne Woods is currently owned and operated by the City of St.Catharines Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Administration, which is a jurisdiction of the municipal run organization. Currently the park is open to the public within certain hours of operation, although it has been known to be a recreational place for youth trespassers after hours. The land belongs to the city of St.Catharines and has since it was founded as a park. The municipality having control over the land has allowed for the park to be provided with new amenities such as the off-leash dog parks that were recently built. Burgoyne Woods is in consideration with the Garden City Plan, The Parks Policy Plan, Facility Accessibility Design Standards as well as others that pertain to parks and recreation, as well as conservation plans. One major impact that the city owning the park has had is the recent demolition of the two public pools that existed at the park. The park was home to a small and large pool that were both open to the public during the summer months, but as stated in the outdoor recreation facility assessments, outdoor pools do not have as much appeal as splash pads do.


As previously mentioned, Burgoyne Woods is a park that seems isolated when you enter it but is actually surrounded by an extreme amount of urbanization and commercial businesses. When driving down Edgedale to enter the park grounds the Tudor style homes line the streets and it's not until the park entrance do they stop. Bordering the south side of the park is the St.Catharines Golf and Country club which covers the south and south east borders. The Western border of the park has fenced off borders to protect its patron, on the other side of the fencing is a track that runs through town. The perimeter of the park is surrounded by trees aside from the most south area, but most of these trees are too dense to get through and have fencing running through them to enclose the park.

Burgoyne Woods has a direct attachment to a large part of the Niagara Regions history as the stream that flows through it diverts water directly into the Welland Canal. The water is diverted through Burgoyne Woods in one of the denser areas of trees and goes under the 406 which is directly behind the park, and into the Welland Canal. The water flow running through the park is uninterrupted and has a bridge that goes over one portion of it so patrons of the park can cross without obstruction of flow. Unfortunately, the restructuring of the land may allow for run off into the stream and affect the pollution load that is present within the water. The stream is located at the lowest point of elevation on the land and therefore acts as a draining system for the park, collecting all debris, rain run-off, and pollution brought by the patrons and by the microclimate.

Drone Video of Burgoyne Woods - created by The UAV guy (youtube)

Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Administration Office

320 Geneva Street,

St.Catharines ON, Canada

L2N 2G6

Tel: 905.688.5601 x3222

Fax: 905.646.9262

TTY: 905.688.4TTY (4889)

Hours of Operation

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/livein/RecreationCommunityServicesAdministrationOffic.asp


Text and online sources

Adventure Club: A special YMCA Summer Program for children. YMCA of Niagara. (2020, November 11). https://ymcaofniagara.org/adventureclub/.

Alberti, M. (2009). Advances in urban ecology: integrating humans and ecological processes in urban ecosystems. Springer.

The Burgoyne Family. https://www.ridleycollege.com/ridleians-of-distinc....

City of St. Catharines Recreation Facility & Programming Master Plan. St.Catharines. https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/resources/Re....

Hough, M. (2006). Cities and natural process: a basis for sustainability. Routledge.

Marzluff, J. M. (2008). Urban ecology: an international perspective on the interaction between humans and nature. Springer.

Noble, W. (1984). Historic Neutral Iroquois Settlement Patterns. Canadian Journal of Archaeology / Journal Canadien D'Archéologie, 8(1), 3-27. Retrieved October 12, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41102288

Parks. St. Catharines. https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/facilities/Detail.a....

Species Monitoring. Sustainability. (2016, June 23). https://sustainability.niagaracollege.ca/project/s....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-hap8ZWu70

X-Country @ Burgoyne Woods. https://sirwinston.dsbn.org/home/2018/09/24/defaul...@-burgoyne-woods.

Map References

Google. Burgoyne Woods. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/maps/m4YgMumThCM2

Google Earth. (2016). Satellite Images. Retrieved November 3 2020 from Google Earth Software.

"70 Edgedale Road, 2006 [Air Photo]." Niagara Navigator. N.p., n.d. 03 Nov. 2020.

"70 Edgedale Road, 1934 [Air Photo]." Niagara Navigator. N.p., n.d. 03 Nov. 2020




This Local Landscape Report was prepared by Samantha Rideout for the Brock University course TMGT 2P94: Human Dominated Ecosystems on November 12, 2020.

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