Summary Report and Implementation Plan - Partners in Project Green

Restoration Opportunities and
Constraints
Adjacent Land-Use(s):
The north section is maintained for low intensity
uses such as hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing,
while the south side is used as a sports park with
numerous playing fields and several buildings
including the Brampton Safety Village. The
Brampton Public Golf Course and a medium density
residential area lie to the west, just upstream of
the site. North of the site is an industrial park
that is continuing to expand. East of the site, or
downstream, are two major highways, the 410 and
the 407, as well as a sewage treatment plant.
Impacting Site Features:
The large section of floodplain on the north side of
the creek has dense ground cover vegetation and
limited trees and shrubs likely due to the intense ice
flows that the creek may experience. Although the
soils in this section of the site may be quite fertile,
restoration plans should consider the fluctuating
water levels in the creek and the potential for ice
damage as a limiting factor to planting this section
of the site.
On the south side of the creek, adjacent to the
sports park restoration planting and/or seeding
plans should include measures to control
competition, including the use of both mulch
mats and rodent guards. Mowing of the site prior
to planting should help to make the planting
process easier.
Preliminary Restoration Concept Plan:
This site is has two main vegetation communities:
old field meadow dominated by exotic species
such as golden rod and field grasses and deciduous
woodlands with both native and exotic woody
species. Portions of the creek corridor have steep
slopes with obvious erosion and some sections
of the creek on the north side lack riparian cover.
A flood pond exists in the middle of the site
on the north side of the creek. Therefore the
objective of the restoration efforts are to increase
the amount of riparian cover in site; expand the
existing forest communities; and enhance existing
vegetation communities.
Riparian Planting:
A 30m-wide buffer should be established
along the creek to protect the banks
from erosion, provide water quality
improvements and protect fish habitat. Due
to fluctuations in water levels in the river
and the potential for ice damage during
thawing periods, shrubs such as willows
should be used in the flood plain area of the
riparian zone instead of trees, as they will be
more resilient to these conditions.
Forest Expansion:
The existing native deciduous woodlands
including the sugar maple forest on the
north and south sides of the site should be
expanded. If site conditions are appropriate
plantings could also include conifer thickets
with eastern hemlock, as a small grove
exists on the south side of the creek. Forest
expansion would improve the habitat for
forest dwelling wildlife including migratory
bird species. Conifer thickets would increase
the vegetation diversity of the site and
therefore contribute to wildlife biodiversity.
Tree and Shrub Nodes:
Portions of the site are currently dominated
by goldenrod and old-field grasses,
therefore, this site has been identified for
the establishment of tree and shrub nodes.
Using site appropriate, native trees and
shrubs will help to promote the natural
succession of the site by providing a seed
source for future plants, increasing the
amount of forest cover in the area, and
improving habitat opportunities for wildlife.
This type of planting will also maintain
the meadow component of the site. The
types of species selected for the project
should be tolerant of both wet and dry
growing conditions, as the site will be
prone to periodic flooding from the creek
on the north side and will be subject to
drier conditions on the south side. The
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