Harold S. Bradshaw Memorial Park



Photos: [Angela VanGoolen]
 


Memorial to Harold S. Bradshaw, the landowner who donated the property to the Town of Pelham in 1982.
 


Natural woodlands and meadows provide ideal habitats for wildlife.
 


 

General Information

Harold S. Bradshaw Memorial Park is a 50 acre nature park located in the Town of Pelham. The park was donated to the town in 1982 at the passing of Mr. Bradshaw, along with $50,000 of his savings for its maintenance. Originally a family farm, the park now has four trails, one which is wheelchair accessible, along with benches, picnic tables, and a small monument commemorating Harold Bradshaw. The main trail, a 1 km fine gravel path winding through meadows and woodlands, is about 1.3 m wide and is suitable for a variety of users.

The three other trails have unique ecological features, both man-made and natural. The Butterfly Trail was planted with 2000 native wild flowers in 2004, the Orchard Trail has the remains of an old orchard and farmhouse, and the Evergreen Trail was enhanced by the planting of about 2000 pine, spruce and cedar seedlings.

The park had been left to naturally regenerate for a 25 year period and officially opened in 2003. An attractive area for both humans and wildlife, Harold S. Bradshaw Memorial Park is an ideal destination for visitors to enjoy a relaxing hike and a satisfying natural experience.


Hours of Operation

Open Year Round Dawn - Dusk

Directions

From Toronto:

(approx. 1 hour, 40 min)

- Take the ON-403 West then merge onto the Queen Elizabeth Way East toward Niagara/East Hamilton/Fort Erie

- After 43 km take exit 57 for Victoria Avenue (County Road 24)

- Turn right onto Marina Boulevard

- After 210 m turn left onto Victoria Ave and drive for 21 km

- Turn left onto Chantler Rd and travel 4.5 km

- Destination will be on the right

From Fort Erie:

(approx. 45 min from the Peace Bridge)

- Head west on the Queen Elizabeth Way toward Toronto

- Take exit 12 for Netherby Road West (Regional Road 25)

- After 12.6 km continue onto Townline Tunnel Road (Regional Road 525)

- Continue onto Humberstone Road

- Turn right onto Prince Charles Drive South (Regional Road 54)

- Turn left onto Lincoln St (Regional Road 29), travel for 5.6 km

- Turn right onto Poth Street

- Turn left onto Chantler Rd after 1 km

- Destination will be on the left

From Niagara Falls:

(approx. 45 min from the Rainbow Bridge)

- Head northwest on Falls Avenue (Regional Road 420)

- Continue onto ON-420 West (signs for Queen Elizabeth Way/Ontario 420 W)

- After 1.4 km take exit for Dorchester Road

- Continue onto Lundy's Lane, travel for 4.6 km

- Continue onto ON-20 West

- Continue onto Regional Road 20 West

- After 3.4 km take the Ontario 406 South ramp toward Welland

- Merge onto ON-406 South and travel 5.7 km

- Turn right onto Woodlawn Rd (County Road 41)

- After 5.3 km turn left onto South Pelham Rd (Regional Road 36)

- Turn right onto Chantler Rd and travel 3.7 km

- Destination will be on the left

Historical

Harold S. Bradshaw was a resident of Pelham who lived from 1900 to 1982. A bachelor known to be kind and generous, Mr. Bradshaw bequeathed the land to the Town of Pelham at his death to be used as a public park. After allowing the park to rejuvenate for 25 years, the property began be to be developed in 2002 and was officially opened in June 2003. In 2009 the park was discovered to be a target for vandals which led the town to introduce some upgrades and renewed public interest in the area. New projects are being considered including a boardwalk and an observation deck overlooking an area populated by wetland plants and a variety of native species.

Ecological

The park offers a diverse habitat for animals, offering wetlands and a tributary of Coyle Creek, a variety of plants and young trees, bush and orchards and areas of prairie grasses. Since the grand opening in 2003, volunteers have planted over 2000 native wild flowers, 450 shrubs, and about 2000 pine, spruce, and cedar seedlings. These initiatives were introduced both by the Town of Pelham and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Visitors have reported sightings of monarch butterflies, woodpeckers, rabbits, deer, and many other species which may be of interest to visitors in general but also to groups of birders and wildlife enthusiasts.

Further Information

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2008/01/22/did-you-know-harold-park-stewardship-committee-wants-to-hear-from-those-who-knew-pelhams-harold-bradshaw

http://www.pelham.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=lgjAY0uYpBY%3D&tabid=452

Ownership & Management

Town of Pelham

Facilities

- Trails
- Benches
- Portable restroom
- Memorial to Harold S. Bradshaw

Admission Fee

Free admission

Accessibility

Main trail

Contact

Phone: (905) 892-5694
Website: http://www.pelham.ca/Departments/CommunityInfrastructure/CommunityServices/BradshawPark/tabid/341/Default.aspx

Address

520 Chantler Road
Fenwick
L3B 5N8 Municipality Pelham

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude: 42.997036
Longitude: -79.333523
UTM easting: 635841.24
UTM northing: 4761816.32

Administration

Brad Smith
Manager of Municipal Recreation Facilities
Town of Pelham
20 Pelham Town Square
Fonthill, Ontario
L0S 1E0
Tel (905) 892-5694
Email bsmith@pelham.ca

Trail length: 0.93 km

Walking time: 45 minutes

Surface features: Minimal slopes; the main trail is fine gravel, side trails are cut grass


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