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Canal land plan 1968

Another contested site in Dundas, near the Desjardin's Canal, was marked for its recreational potential back in 1968. It is an interesting area, with things still not settled as conflicting uses continue to vie for space there. Will it become an ecological park and eco-gateway to Dundas as more recently envisioned, building on this historical precedent? Or will other less ecologically sensitive uses be brought into the mix? You know where we stand...

Dec. 18, 1968 Dundas Star News

Recommendation had followed meeting of the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority and Royal Botanical Gardens board members to make Desjardins' Canal and the water in Cootes Paradise navigable for non-power boats, such as canoes. Also recommended was opening up nature trails, eliminating erosion problems by dredging, and general rehabilitation of the whole area.

Included in the plan would be long range objectives such as deepening Spencer Creek, construction of a parking space, wilderness areas, upstream projects to reduce erosion.

Councillor Prentice thought action should be taken immediately the recommendations were approved. He said Dundas had control over the area.

Deputy-Reeve Law thought some advantage might be gained if the outfall line from the pollution control centre could be located nearer Centennial Park. He thought benefit might be gained from the flow of the three million gallons of water which pass through the centre daily.

....[HRCA asked to] institute a channelization improvement program of all the water courses running through...Dundas...

"We want the Authority to come in and do a general cleanup, and at the same time ascertain what remedial work should be done."

[HRCA asked to acquire] "the flood plain lands known as Cold Spring Creek. The creek runs in the valley between Pleasant Valley and Highland Hills....[Councillor Prentice] suggested that as the conservation authority could not purchase municipal property, the town should, in time, acquire property from land owners when it extended down the creek."

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