Malcolmson Eco-Park



Bike trail under the autumn foliage (Sean Bryson)
 


Park sign and entrance
 


One of the many open spaces in Malcolmson Eco-Park for recreational uses
 


 

General Information

Malcolmson Eco-Park represents the last remaining parcel of undeveloped parkland in North St. Catharines. The park is described as a 14 hectare (36 acre) eco-park opperating with an interdisciplinary community based approach that claims to "give nature a helping hand." Malcolmson Eco-Park is a perfect example to illustrate the importance of natural and built environmental heritage working in harmony. This park represents a natural environmental heritage feature in a developed area.


Hours of Operation

Open Year-Round

Directions

From Toronto:

Exit QEW Ontario Street (Exit 47)

Turn left (North) on Ontario Street

Follow onto Lakeshore Road

Follow Lakeshore Road (West) to Niagara Street

Turn left (North) on Niagara Street

Follow into Malcolmson Eco-Park

Cultural

Malcolmson Eco-Park is in close proximity to other parks and many institutions (schools, residence, volunteer clubs) that could potentially utilize this green space for education.

Mary Malcolmson was a community leader in St. Catharines, making the park environmentally and culturally significant. Mary inspired to start a new chapter of girl guides in Canada.

The Friends of Malcolmson Eco-Park is a community based volunteer committe to foster a community based stewardship and sustainable environmental ethic.

Historical

The park owes much of its early evolution to the presence of a major overland transport artery known as the Welland Canal. During the 1900's the property functioned as the forestry and maintenance branch for the Welland ship canal company.

Prime Minister PierreTrudeau officially designated the land to the city of St. Catharines in 1976, who then named the park after instrumental community leader Mary Malcolmson.

Ecological

Mary Malcolmson Eco-Park is a deciduous hardwood forest not occuring naturally in a suburban woodlot. Nearly 11 acres of the park is comprised of mixed shrubs and tree species from nurseries as well as native varieties. The park provides a chance to learn about regeneration of indihenous plants.

The park is abundant in terms of wildlife. Mary Malcolmson is a very impotant stopover for migratory birds attempting to cross Lake Ontatio. The park is one of the few places birds can congregate in large numbers and feed without disruption. Other forms of wildlife incude skunk, coyote, deer, wild turkey, reptiles and insects.

Recreational

Malcolmson is in close proximity to residential areas and offers children and adults a great opportunity to be in touch with nature and St. Catharines' environmental heritage.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Recreational Uses

Bird watching, cycling, jogging, hiking, volunteer opportunities, cross-country skiing.

Adjacent Land Uses

Mary Malcolmson is a 14 hectare (36 acre) parcel of land bounded to the East by the fourth Welland Canal, to the West by the residential community of Port Weller, to the North by Lake Ontario and to the South by Lakeshore Road.

Further Information

http://www.malcolmsonecopark.com/

Ownership & Management

City of St. Catharines

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible stone dust path

Contact

Phone: (905) 937-7210
Website: www.malcolmsonecopark.com

Address

Malcolmson Eco-Park
Lakeshore Road
St. Catharines, Ontario

GPS Co-ordinates

Latitude: 43.223004
Longitude: -79.217863
UTM easting: 644828.17
UTM northing: 4786256.58

Map

Administration

Mike Anderson
City Representative for the Friends of Malcomson Eco-Park 2009 Advisory Committee
City of St. Catharines
320 Geneva Street
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7C2
Tel (905) 937-7210
Fax 905-646-9262
Website http://www.stcatharines.ca/recreation/pt/malcomson_eco_park.asp

Walking time

1 - 3 Hours

Jogging time

1 - 3 Hours

Cycling time

1 Hour

Surface features

Dirt trail, Stone dust path

Trail linkages

http://www.stcatharines.ca/recreation/pt/malcomson_ecopark_map.asp

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