The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is pleased to receive funding through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). These investments will improve greenspace infrastructure and increase safe access to four NPCA sites throughout the Niagara watershed.
The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, recently announced over $8.2 million in support for 34 tourism and community infrastructure projects in the Niagara region. These investments will create and revitalize community spaces and enhance tourism attractions to welcome more visitors and build stronger, more vibrant communities.
The four NPCA projects funded through FedDev Ontario are as follows:
- Cave Springs Conservation Area will improve parking, entrances, accessibility, and wayfinding. The accessible trail will feature a granular surface to accommodate mobility devices and service animals. The project will also include appropriate wayfinding signage for all conservation area trails.
- St. Johns Conservation Area will repair the current parking area by removing existing deteriorated asphalt and replacing it with a new granular surface. It will also include improving existing drainage and the trail to accommodate mobility devices and service animals. This project will also include improving sanctioned trails by repairing stairs, replacing boardwalks, and adding wayfinding signage for all conservation area trails.
- Louth Conservation Area will improve sanctioned trails by replacing boardwalks and adding wayfinding signage for all conservation area trails.
- Rockway Conservation Area will improve sanctioned trails by replacing boardwalks and adding wayfinding signage for all conservation area trails.
These projects will increase safe access to NPCA sites through added and restored parking areas and improve accessible trails by restoring one kilometre of trails with a granular base for those with disabilities. A total of 21 kilometres of hiking trails will have restored boardwalks and stairs. The NPCA will also add controlled gates to prevent problematic behaviour after hours and educate the community about the natural heritage of the conservation areas through signage.
Investments in building healthy and climate-resilient watersheds and connecting people to nature are two priorities that guide the NPCA Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan (2021-2031) reaffirms the NPCA’s commitment to the mandate of conservation authorities and charts the course for the next generation of work to address the evolving issues of climate change, growth, and the need for green infrastructure. The NPCA continues to work with its communities and partners towards a shared vision of Nature for All.
“Modern, vibrant community spaces and tourist sites attract millions of visitors to the Niagara region annually, creating jobs and generating important economic growth. The investment announced will help the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre, Plenty Canada, and 32 other businesses and organizations across the Niagara region to improve public spaces and tourist experiences, benefiting visitors and local communities.” ~Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“On behalf of the NPCA, I want to thank FedDev Ontario for investing in nature for all. The NPCA continually strives to improve services and visitor experiences for those who live and visit the Niagara Peninsula watershed. The NPCA is proud to be a destination of choice and can invest in creating equitable access to greenspace for the health and well-being of all people.” ~Rob Foster, NPCA Chair, Board of Directors
“NPCA’s 41 Conservation Areas are vital to the health and well-being of our residents and critical to addressing climate change impacts in the Niagara Escarpment and Carolinian Zone. We are thankful to the Federal Government for their investment in our green infrastructure assets to address some of the much-needed upgrades for the safe enjoyment of communities.” ~Chandra Sharma, CAO, NPCA
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth, and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 61 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services focusing on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management. For more information about the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, visit www.npca.ca. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
Photo: (L-R) Adam Christie, Director, Conservation Areas, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority; Rob Foster, Chair, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority; the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario; Chandra Sharma, CAO, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority; and Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.
Source: Media Release by NPCA
