The Cheltenham Badlands are expected to reopen to the public this spring
Earlier today, Toronto hit a record-breaking temperature, as the temperature sat at a comfortable 15°C, breaking a previous February 20 record set 24-years-ago.
This much-needed change in temperature has us thinking about one thing and one thing only, the arrival of double-digit temperatures and getting to spend time outdoors.
And the first thing we’re going to do once the weather picks up is visit the Cheltenham Badlands, which are finally expected to reopen to the public this spring.
Since 2015, visitors of this Caledon gem, which features a seven-hectare area of exposed iron-rich Queenston Shale bedrock deposited centuries ago, may have noticed that all routes leading into the badlands were closed.
For the past two years, visitors have only been able to view the grounds from a viewing area at the top of the badlands slope, as direct access to the grounds had been closed due to “overuse“.
But it looks like the badlands will be reopening to the public later this spring thanks to a $115,00 federal grant given to the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT) as part of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, reports the Caledon Enterprise.
The funding is coming from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) and is being matched by OHT private donors.
The combined $230,000 funding will go towards supporting improvements to existing trails and visitor infrastructure.
According to reports, the first phase of site enhancements includes connecting the existing Bruce Trail to a new parking lot, rehabilitating existing recreational trails, upgrading protective fencing, creating an accessible viewing area near the badlands feature and providing on-site interpretation.
The parking lot, viewing area, and portions of the Bruce Trail will reopen to the public as soon as they are complete.
The completion of the remainder of the site will be phased in over the next few years, after the completion of phase one enhancements, which are being referred to as the ‘Master Plan’.
Here’s to hoping that visitors properly enjoy this hidden gem sooner than later.
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