A Brief Foreword from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper
For those of us who love visiting Niagara Falls and the Niagara River, and sometimes want a change from all of the casinos, high-rise hotels, gift shops, Marineland and other hyper-glitzy venues, you can’t do much better than a trip to the Niagara Glen.
The Niagara Glen overlooking the rapids of the lower Niagara River
A few miles downstream from the Horseshoe and American Falls on the Canadian side, the Niagara Glen and adjoining Whirlpool Forest is about as far away from the frazzle dazzle of Clifton Hill as you can get. If you are up to some on-foot physical exertion, take a walk down the open-air staircase. Take a walk down at the gorge face, and journey into a world of rock piles shaped by thousands of years of rushing water and erosion, and vegetation – some of which is growing out of faces in the rock – that is hundreds of years old.
In brief, a journey down into Niagara Glen and the Whirlpool Forest may be about as close as you get to experiencing one of the world’s most famous rivers the way the first European explorers did more than 300 years ago.
So how fantastic it is that we have a Niagara Parks Commission dedicated to preserving it and inviting visitors to explore it for no fee, and how great it is that we also have a not-for-profit group called the Friends of the Niagara Glen willing to volunteer its time to help look after it.
Niagara At Large is please to post the following information from the Parks Commission and Friends of the Niagara Glen on an event this Saturday, July 28 aimed at removing litter and graffiti from this precious piece of our natural heritage. The information below also invites you to join them in this important effort and enjoy the awesome beauty of this site at the same time.
One of the natural trails cutting through the Niagara Glen and Whirlpool Forest
Niagara Falls, ON – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), in partnership with the Friends of the Niagara Glen and members of the local fishing community, will be hosting a clean-up event in the Niagara Glen and Whirlpool Forest on July 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to join the group and come out to help remove litter and graffiti from these magnificent natural areas. All help is appreciated!
The Niagara Glen is an undeniable treasure trove of natural beauty. The rugged terrain masks a much more sensitive side that needs our help. Approximately 490 species of vulnerable plants and animals call the Glen home and an unprecedented number of them are listed as either “at risk” or “rare” in the province; one of the largest concentrations anywhere in Ontario.
Interested participants are asked to meet at the entrance at the top of the main access stairs, just prior to the 10:00 a.m. start time. Those planning to spend the afternoon are encouraged to bring their own lunch, snacks and refillable water bottles. Proper footwear suitable for rugged terrain is required.
The Niagara Glen Nature Centre also opens daily at 10 a.m., and visitors are invited to explore educational displays including “Animals of the Glen”, as well as nature and geology touch tables and interpretive panels on the flora and geology of the Niagara Glen. Hand carved wood products by Master Carver Frank Kim, framed artwork by local artist Paul Augustino and paintings by members of the Parkway Artists Guild are all on sale at the centre. Daily hiking tours are also available twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Niagara Glen is located at 3050 Niagara Parkway, across from the Whirlpool Golf Course. The Nature Centre’s exhibits are all fully accessible; however, the hiking trails are not.
About the Friends of the Niagara Glen Group – The mission of the Friends of the Niagara Glen is to be a self-sustaining and motivated not-for-profit community initiative that promotes land stewardship ethics, educational experiences and sustainable outdoor recreation practices along the Niagara River corridor reserve, in concert with the mandate, mission and vision of The Niagara Parks Commission.
The group envisions an ecologically sensitive Park area kept for future generations by increasing environmental awareness and stewardship practices through community involvement. New members are always welcome to join. For more information, please visit www.niagaraparksnature.com.
About The Niagara Parks Commission – NPC is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
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