Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands
The Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands comprise of 147 ha of land within the City of Burlington. The Lands are dominated by Grindstone Creek and the associated valley and generally comprise the RBG lands and Hidden Valley Park, which is a municipal park in the City of Burlington. The CN railway forms the northern limit, and Howard Avenue generally demarcates the eastern boundary. Most of the Heritage Lands are north and east of Plains Road West, although the RBG Centre and lowermost reaches of Grindstone Creek are south and west of Plains Road respectively.
The Heritage Lands are entirely owned and managed by partner organizations (the Current EcoPark System Lands).The majority of the Current EcoPark System Lands are owned by RBG
(approximately 90 ha) and the City of Burlington (approximately 54 ha), with a very small area owned by Halton Region. To the south and east, Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands is located adjacent to residential and municipal infrastructure, and two urban cemeteries (Woodland Cemetery and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery West, City of Hamilton) which provide smaller scaled open space areas. Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands also connect directly to the Burlington Heights Heritage Lands (on the west) and Clappison Grindstone Heritage Lands (to the north).
Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands include several recognized environmental designations including: a Provincially Significant Wetland (Hendrie Valley-Lambs Hollow Wetland), Urban River Valley, Significant Woodlands and other Natural Heritage System components (e.g., buffers) in the Region of Halton’s Official Plan which serve to support natural processes necessary to maintain ecosystem services and ecological integrity. On adjacent lands to the north, the Heritage Lands also connect to the Grindstone Creek Valley Life Science ANSI. The character of the Heritage Lands is largely defined by Hendrie Valley (Grindstone Creek Valley), marshlands and Grindstone Creek.
The Heritage Lands include a diverse network of trails including: Grindstone Marshes Trail, Old Snake Road Trail, Bridle Trail, Creekside Walk Trail, and Hidden Valley Multi-Use Trail. The Heritage Lands also contain a traditional urban park and sport facilities (Hidden Valley Park), RBG Centre and numerous cultivated garden areas (e.g., Laking Garden, Hendrie Park). Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands are used extensively by hikers, dog-walkers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts and the surrounding community due to their aesthetic, recreational and natural values. The rich history of the area and significance of the botanical gardens has resulted in a number of significant cultural resources. The area provides spectacular views of Hendrie Valley, deciduous forests, marsh communities and Grindstone Creek.
Some of the current EcoPark System Lands support existing infrastructure including hydro and gas line which intersect the site. A number of additional utilities border the site including a railway situated at the northern edge.