Niagara shoreline and Fort Mississauga project update January 2024

Tree Removal

Parks Canada is committed to conserving the ecological and commemorative integrity of the Niagara shoreline and Fort Mississauga for both present and future generations to understand, appreciate and enjoy. Conservation involves protecting, maintaining and stabilizing the existing form, material and integrity of a historic place or individual component, while protecting its heritage value. This can include both short-term and interim measures to protect or stabilize the place, as well as long-term actions to stave off deterioration or prevent damage. In archaeological sites, preservation can consist of creating or maintaining a stable environment for the character-defining elements to extend their physical life.

Similar to the western shoreline of Fort Mississauga National Historic site, the east shoreline has many non-native and invasive tree and shrub species. These can damage archeological resources within the earthwork fortifications and the surrounding grounds with their root systems. As well, there are many trees and large shrubs that are falling or at risk of falling into the water as the shoreline erodes.

Parks Canada has begun to remove this vegetation to support the new break wall construction. Along the new break wall, locally sourced grasses, selected for their minimal maintenance and water requirements, will be planted. This new vegetation will further support the newly stabilized shoreline. For every tree removed as part of this work, Parks Canada will plant two new native-species trees in the most appropriate areas.

Visitor safety is a priority for Parks Canada and we ask all members of the public accessing these sites during this work to exercise caution and respect all closures.

John St Parking lot

As part of the work at Fort Mississauga National Historic Site, you may see construction vehicles around the Commons. An archaeologically cleared area off John Street is being used to temporarily store material being removed from the work site at Fort Mississauga. The materials will later be recycled!

Visitor safety is a priority for Parks Canada and we ask all members of the public accessing these sites during this work to exercise caution and respect all closures. The parking lot off John Street will see restrictions on parking to ensure safe access for construction vehicles.