Bruce Trail Conservancy purchase protects route across top of Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club

The Bruce Trail Conservancy expects to close on the purchase of 2.3 acres of land on the north end of the club early next year.

The agreement, which also includes a 0.1-acre easement, came on the heels of a required severance approved by the City of Hamilton’s committee of adjustment on Dec. 7.

The land purchase will formalize an existing route though the golf course that links to other trails through local conservation areas.

“We have enjoyed a long and collaborative relationship with Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club,” said Joel Swagerman, land securement planner for the conservancy. “The trail has been on their lands by ‘handshake agreement’ for decades, and we are grateful for their many years of support.”

Swagerman explained that about 70 per cent of the Bruce Trail’s Optimum Route is secure, on land owned by the conservancy or its partners.

“That means that 30 per cent is unsecured and vulnerable to development and other threats,” he said.

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• Dec 31, 1969
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• Dec 31, 1969
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Swagerman did not disclose the cost of the land swap but did say it will be “at fair market value.”

“We are a not-for-profit organization that relies primarily on donations from private donors to fund our work,” he added.

The trail route is not expected to change. From King Street West, it follows Woodley’s Lane into golf course property and enters a forested area past an upper parking lot. It continues to the west end of the property, behind Davidson Boulevard, then heads south through Hamilton Conservation Authority land, where it links to the McCormack Trail and eventually connects to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area south of Governor’s Road.

The Bruce Trail links Glen Ferguson and Dundas Lookout side trails to the trail on the north end the golf course via residential streets from Sydenham Road to Woodley’s Lane.

Swagerman said the Bruce Trail Conservancy “doesn’t have landowner permission to follow the Optimum Route” on CN Rail property.

He said new signage and fencing might be installed in collaboration with the club.

“It is a critical link between the Dundas Valley and the village of Dundas,” Swagerman said, adding the purchase will complete securement of seven kilometres of Bruce Trail from the area of Sherman Falls in Ancaster, north to the golf club. “The Bruce Trail is the common link that connects or will connect the approximately 163 parks and open spaces of NEPOSS (Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System) into one system.”

He said when the conservancy prioritizes land for securement it considers the importance to the continuity and safety of the Bruce Trail, ecological value, the variety of species that could be protected and ability to secure the land cost-effectively.

Tom McLeod of the golf and curling club’s board of directors said they recognized the conservancy’s desire to own the parcel of land.

“We are pleased to be working with the BTC to effect a transfer of ownership per their mandate,” said McLeod, chair of strategic planning.

He said the club supports the Bruce Trail and recognizes the benefits it provides Ontario hikers.

City of Hamilton planning staff originally recommended the required severance application be tabled until the Niagara Escarpment Commission formally commented on the proposal.

However, Swagerman appeared at the Dec. 7 hearing with comments from the NEC supporting the application and land acquisition.

Melody Cairns, NEC manager of program services, confirmed that after the meeting, stating the Niagara Escarpment Plan “allows for the creation of lots by public agencies and conservation organizations for the purpose of nature reserves and the Bruce Trail.”

Cairns said the severance and trail are consistent with the plan and do not require a development permit.

“The NEP specifically recognizes the establishment of the Bruce Trail corridor, including the foot path and other trail-related constructions, as a permitted use in all land use designations,” Cairns said.

The Bruce Trail was founded in the early 1960s to raise awareness of protecting the Niagara Escarpment. Stretching from Niagara to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, including side trails, it’s more than 1,300 kilometres long.