Forks of the Credit Provincial Park Management Plan: Amendment
This document provides direction on the management of Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.
Issue
Proposed minor amendment to the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park Management Plan to accommodate a connecting link of the Trans Canada Trail.
Background
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is a 282 hectare Natural Environment class park established by regulation under the Provincial Parks Act in 1985. Located about 18 kilometres southeast of the Town of Orangeville, the park has limited development with one central parking lot providing access to a system of hiking trails. The Forks of the Credit Provincial Park Management Plan was approved in 1990. The Forks is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System.
Two trails in the vicinity of Forks of the Credit Provincial, namely, the Caledon Trail and the Elora to Cataract Trail have already been embraced as sections of the Trans Canada Trail. The provincial park is considered to be the optimum location for a linkage between the two sections of the Trans Canada Trail. Existing park trails and an acquired closed portion of former railroad allowance would be utilized for the linkage. A minor park management plan amendment is required to approve the proposed trail linkage through Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. The intent would be for the shared-use trail to accommodate walking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and cycling. Walking and cross-country skiing are presently conforming uses in the provincial park. A minor plan amendment would be required to permit horseback riders and cyclists, but only on the designated trail.
The Town of Caledon is a major partner in this project and has granted permission for the trail to cross municipal lands and utilize unopened road allowances abutting the park. The only proposed development associated with the trail linkage is a bridge to span the Credit River at a former bridge site. The river itself is regulated as part of the park, however, no footings or cribbing will occur on park property. New bridge footings would be constructed on abutting municipal lands, with an adequate set back from both existing footings and the river. The bridge would be designed to accommodate pedestrians, horses and light maintenance vehicles. The bridge and any necessary trail upgrading will be financed through local contributions and through the Trans-Canada Trail fund.
The proposal has already been subject to some external public consultation by virtue of the involvement of the Town of Caledon, Grand River and Credit Valley Conservation Authorities, Ontario Trail Riders Association, Bruce Trail Association, Ontario Trails ouncil and Trans Canada Trail. Ontario Parks sits on a Trail Linkage Committee hosted by the local municipality. The proposed trail linkage has also been the subject of an academic project by a group of University of Guelph students. A Caledon Trailway Day was held on June 21, 1997 to locally promote the Trans Canada Trail.
All requirements under Exemption Order MNR-5912, Environmental Assessment: Provincial Parks Program, will be met upon approval of the minor plan amendment. A public notice will be posted by Ontario Parks on site 45 days in advance of the formal linkage There will be no significant environmental impact, therefore, a proposal notice is not required to be posted on the Environmental Registry.
Ministry position
It is recommended that a minor amendment to the Forks oj the Credit Provincial Park Management Plan be approved to allow the Trans Canada Trail linkage to go through the park, approve an associated bridge crossing over the Credit River, and to allow horseback riding and cycling to occur on the designated trail.
Prepared June 25, 1997 by:
Brian Huis
Park Planning Specialist
Southwestern Parks Zone, Ontario Parks
Tel:
Approval statement
I am pleased to approve a minor amendment to the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park Management Plan as official policy for the management and development of this park. The amendment pertains to a Trans-Canada trail linkage through the park. Besides hiking and cross-country skiing, horseback riding and bicycling would be added as permitted uses on the designated trail.
The amendment reflects this Ministry’s and Ontario Parks' intent to protect the cultural, natural and recreational features of Forks of the Credit Provincial Park and maintain high quality opportunities for outdoor recreation and heritage appreciation for both residents of Ontario and visitors to the Province.
Norm Richards
Managing Director
Ontario Parks
September 19, 1997
Map 1: Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Enlarge this map of the Forks of the Credit provincial park (PDF)
The site
The Trail begins in the southwest at Elizabeth Street in Terra Cotta. It ends on the north east boundary of the Town at Highway 9 just east of Palgrave. The trail is approximately thirty five kilometres (twenty-two miles) long. It is accessible where it crosses roads, and from several short paths within newly developed residential areas. The trail cuts through the villages of Terra Cotta, Cheltenham, Inglewood, Caledon East and Palgrave.
Map 2: Caledon Rail Trail
Enlarge this map of the Caledon Rail Trail (PDF)
The Elora Cataract Trailway
A partnership for future generations
The Elora Cataract Trailway is owned by the Credit Valley and Grand Conservation Authorities and is managed by them in cooperation with the Elora Cataract Trailway Association.
The goal is to create a greenway or linear park through which people can explore their environment in different ways while, at the same time, encouraging the protection of natural and cultural heritage values. Acquisition of the abandoned CP rail corridor and its development as a Trailway have been made by the financial support the Province Onrario. The Grand Valley Conservation Foundation, corporate and private donors, service clubs, user groups. and by the support of the local citizenry generally
A link between two watersheds
The Trailway links two watersheds (the Grand and the Credit), urban and rural communities, woodlot and meadow, valley and ridge, as well as three major park systems found at Elora Gorge, Belwood Lake, and the Forks of the Credit at Cataract. The Grand Valley Trail passes along a section of the Trailway and the Bruce Trail can be accessed at the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. The Trailway may be seen as a vehicle linking ecology, economy, and community.
Map 3: Elora Cateract Trailway
