Save the Cheltenham Badlands

The Cheltenham Badlands are home to rolling hills of Queenston Shale that are over 400 million years old. This unique topography runs along Olde Base Line Road, and has seen increased tourism since 2000, when the land was purchased to be held in trust for the people of Ontario.

As the site has grown in popularity, often welcoming in excess of 1,000 visitors per weekend, various concerns have been identified, including traffic safety, parking, geological protection, and management of the site in general. In addition, foot traffic on this natural landmark has caused permanent devastation amounting to over 3 metres of erosion of the soft red clay soil — this is at a rate of TEN times the natural process!

In the spring of 2014, the Niagara Escarpment Commission approved the construction of a parking lot on this very fragile site. No plan for preserving or protecting the Badlands was included in this announcement. Public consultation during the planning process was mandated, yet was ignored. The only avenue for public discussion was to file an appeal.

We are currently in the formal hearing process with the Niagara Escarpment Commission Hearing Office. As “Friends of the Badlands”, we are trying to raise funds to support the costs of retaining legal representation. Your generous contribution will go towards protecting this jewel in our community. Please help us to preserve this unique Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. Together we can save the Badlands!