More to explore at Huron Natural Area
Canada 150 grant helps city add more trails; prevent erosion
KITCHENER — It’s a natural treasure in the heart of the city.
And the Huron Natural Area now has even more to offer.
Saturday marked the official opening of an expanded trail network at the 107-hectare natural park near Strasburg and Trillium roads. The area is home to forest, streams, meadows and hundreds of plant and animal species.
A $400,000 grant through the federal government’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program was matched by the City of Kitchener in order to add an additional kilometre of trail to the existing six-kilometre network and conduct other improvements to increase accessibility. The new trail now connects to Strasburg Road, providing Grand River Transit bus access to the natural area via Strasburg Road and Trillium Drive.
The city also chipped in a little extra cash to ensure some other projects, such as limiting erosion near the unique cold-water Strasburg Creek, could be completed. “We wanted to mitigate that before it got any worse,” said Jonn Barton, an associate landscape architect with the city.
“Thanks to the federal government, we really were able to enhance the experience here at the park,” said Coun. Kelly Galloway-Sealock. “It’s really just such a great asset to our community.”
Kitchener South-Hespeler MP Marwan Tabbara was also on hand for the event.
The real star of the show, though, may have been the large snapping turtle which had carved out a nice little spot for herself near the announcement, and later enthralled children and adults alike as she trundled along the path.
“It’s a lot more natural than some parks, which is a good thing,” noted Kitchener resident Lawrence Goerzen. “Parks only increase in value as the city gets bigger,” he said. “It’s only going to be harder and harder to make new parks.”
Elizabeth LeBlanc was standing
with her five-year-old daughter, Mila, trying in vain to get a temporary tattoo to adhere in the hot sun. Plan B, a sticker for Mila’s shirt, seemed to suffice.
“We come here frequently,” LeBlanc said. Helping out on a school trip to the natural area — it’s a partnership between the city and the public and Catholic school boards — she saw one child’s amazement during a firstever journey into the woods.
“Just having that exposure, for kids to be able to learn about nature … It’s important for the community, for sure.”
The Huron Natural Area is also a showcase for Kitchener’s citywide participation in the Bee City Canada initiative.
Kitchener, along with Waterloo, Stratford and about a dozen other Canadian municipalities, has pledged to protect pollinators like bees, and their habitats. Enhancing existing habitat, creating new bee-friendly areas, and educating the public are all part of the program.
“Pollinators are connected to all aspects of our lives,” said Josh Shea, natural areas co-ordinator for the city. “We probably take a lot of what pollinators do for us for granted.”
They play a critical role in agriculture and the food chain, and help plants thrive that provide other raw materials, prevent erosion and improve air quality.
At Huron, people were invited Saturday to take part in planting a pollinator patch. Another project will restore about five hectares of land to native meadow species.
People can also contribute in their own gardens by planting species like goldenrods, asters, bee balm and milkweed. Part of the goal of participating in the Bee City Canada program is to generate resources and information to help people take simple yet effective actions around their own homes, Shea said.