Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area Master Plan

An aerial view of the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area showing the reservoir and CRCA Administration Office.

Located just north of Highway 401 and Division Street in Kingston, Little Cataraqui Creek is very accessible to Kingston residents and visitors to the area.

Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is also headquarters for the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. Our Administration Office and Main Workshop are located there and the Outdoor Centre is the base of operations for our education programs.

Why a Master Plan?

Typically, a Master Plan is a 20-year document to guide the management, operation and development of a Conservation Area. These plans define property uses, development and policies in accordance with CRCA goals.

What makes this Conservation Area special?

• Provides significant green space in the Kingston regional area, providing a buffer between the urban and rural areas.
• Part of a provincially significant wetland complex and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, plants and trees.
• The home for the CRCA's conservation education programs, administration office and central workshop facility.
• Contains the Cataraqui Creek Clay Ridges which have been designated as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).
• Part of the Little Cataraqui Creek watershed. The dam and reservoir provide flood control and low flow augmentation for Little Cataraqui Creek.

The Master Plan Process

After the preferred concept is selected, the Master Plan will be developed. Another public open house will be held in late 2011 or early 2012 to review the draft Master Plan. It will also be posted on this website with a link from this page.

Proposed Concepts for the Little Cataraqui Creek Master Plan

Concept A - Becoming Better at What We Do
Targeted Facility Rejuvenation

• improving the picnic facilities and areas
• trail and service road upgrades
• renovation of warming huts and canoe/kayak access area
• implement a strategy to upgrade privy facilities
• enhancing the infrastructure of the sugar bush/shack facilities.

Property Restoration

• encouraging natural succession throughout the property
• managing/reducing the impacts of CRCA activities on the landscape by demonstrating proper design, construction and maintenance techniques
• focus on implementation of the forest management plan, along with species and habitat specific focused efforts (such as installation/monitoring of wood duck nest boxes and the butternut recovery program)

Enhancing Communications with property visitors about the importance of this conservation area and the values that its resources provide to the community through:

• protecting natural open green space
• watershed management functions
• as an outdoor education and recreation space
• the base of operations and administrative/corporate headquarters for the CRCA.

Concept B - Building our Community Base
Incorporating some of the recommendations made for concept A but going further including:

• improving the property’s services and capabilities to educate visitors and provide more opportunities for leisure and recreational activities and
• takes advantage of this property’s position and resources to generate support for CRCA goals and activities by hosting events that promote conservation and stewardship and becoming more involved with community efforts and
• targeted project- specific fundraising efforts.

Concept C - A Protected Place with Active Spaces
Incorporating recommendations made for concepts A and B.

Further strategic investments will be made to increase the property’s capacity and attraction as a recreational resource and local destination.

New activities that people are being asked to consider and voice their opinion on are:

• Tobogganing hill
• Skate-style cross-country skiing
• Family cycling
• Retriever training area
• Play structures/equipment
• Fitness trail apparatus
• Regular evening skating
• Management of geocache activities
• Picnic shelter(s)
• Fishing dock
• Picnic shelter
• Special events
• Disc-golf course
• Additional interpretive signage
• Antique car shows/rallies
• Nordic poling
• Ultimate (disc sport) field
• Night skiing
• Guided (educational) nature walks
• The LCCCA Challenge treasure hunt
• Organized seasonal events/competitions
• Pond hockey league/tournament
• Instructional/certification training courses
• Programs oriented to interests of specific demographic groups
• Horseback riding
• Winter camping

Contact for more information

EVENTS | CONSERVATION SERVICES | COMMUNITY RELATIONS | CONSERVATION LANDS | RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | FOUNDATION

Contact Us:
P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

©2011 Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority