Claireville Conservation Area
Template:Geobox The Claireville Conservation Area is a suburban conservation area located on the border of Peel Region and Toronto in Ontario, Canada. The major part of the area is located in Brampton. The park is a 343 hectare (848 acre) parcel of conservation land located on the west branch of the Humber River. It is one of the largest tracts of land owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).[1] Claireville contains significant natural and cultural heritage features, and has recreation, tourism and educational facilities and programs.
History
The Area was acquired in 1957 to construct a flood control dam and reservoir after the destruction caused by Hurricane Hazel. In 2003 the HSBC Bank donated the funds to plant the HSBC Forest at the Claireville Conservation Area. The park is a favorite with local dog owners, bird watchers and wildlife photographers.
The TRCA has declared an early 20th-century farmhouse in the northern part of Claireville as a heritage property; major restoration began in 2005.
Landscape
The landscape of the park is diverse. Its characteristic features are numerous creeks and ravines, flat plains, and rolling hills enriching the forested landscape.
A multi-year natural area enhancement plan has been developed for Claireville. Some of the recommended activities of this plan include:
- Protecting and enhancing significant blocks of interior forest habitat and reforestation
- Enhancing public use and access to internal trail network and installing wildlife structures such as nest boxes for waterfowl and song birds; brush piles for small mammals; and in-water structural habitats like stumps, logs, and rocks for a variety of fish.
Fauna
The park is home to the eastern coyote, wood duck, chimney crayfish, deer, muskrat, and common garter snake. The park's varied landscape can be admired from many vantage points.
Birds
Dozens of bird species can be seen. Some use the park as a stop on their migratory route, while others breed in the park.
In open fields
In the forest
- Rose-breasted grosbeak
- Pileated woodpecker
- Red-eyed vireo
- Blue jay
- American robin
- Great-crested flycatcher
- Hairy woodpecker
- Scarlet tanager
Semi-Open brush
- Northern oriole
- Eastern kingbird
- Field sparrow
- House wren
- Yellow shafted flicker
- Indigo bunting
- Grey catbird
- Brown thrasher
Ponds, marshes, river banks
- Wood duck
- Tree swallow
- Mallard
- Song sparrow
- Bank swallow
- Rough-wing swallow
- Eastern phoebe
- Cliff swallow
Fish
Common year round are: brown bullhead, carp, creek chub, goldfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rock bass and white sucker. The seasonal species include yellow perch and amphibians.
Rare white deer
There have been sightings of a rare white deer.[citation needed] These are not albino deer, but rather a product of a recessive gene in some species of deer. In this case it is a white, white-tail deer. These white deer can vary in their percentage of white, with freckles or mottling in many patterns. They sometimes have deformed feet and ankles but otherwise exist within the herd as normal deer. Offspring can be of normal colouring or sometimes demonstrate the recessive gene.
Location
Parking is available at the east and north gates, and at the HSBC forest area. The south gate is located on Gorewood Rd, while the east gate is on Regional Road 50 just north of Steeles Avenue (the Etobicoke Field Studies Centre is just a short walk from this gate). The north entrance is located at the intersection of McVean Dr. and Regional Road 107 (the Claireville Ranch entrance). The northern most area of the park is the HSBC forest; it is located on McVean Dr. 1 km north of Regional Road 107.
Facilities
The Etobicoke Field Studies Centre is located in the southern corner of Claireville and provides programs for student from Grade 1 to Grade 6.[2] Located in the northern corner of the park is the Claireville Ranch, which provides horse riding lessons, trail riding and other group activities.[3] The Indian Line Campground, a family campground, is located in the Mississauga section of the park. It offers 245 serviced and unserviced campsites.[4]
