FAQs

While this trail is primarily meant for pedestrians, use by bicycle will be permitted. If this trail serves as a means for a safe connection to a destination, Staff are happy to facilitate it. 

The County of Brant is actively working to incorporate better on and off-road cycling infrastructure on new and existing roads and trails. Over the coming years the County hopes to provide residents with safe and connected active transportation facilities.

The presence of formal trails can fosters local stewardship and encourage sustainable and responsible use by local residents. 

The County of Brant aims to encourage community stewardship of the park and reduce littering through signage and proper waste disposal receptacles located at various intervals throughout the trail network. Garbage bins will be emptied, and the park maintained by Park Operations Staff regularly to keep a tidy, naturalized space. A well-designed and maintained trail system will help encourage proper use and a sense of pride for a well-kept area.

No lighting will be installed in this trail network. Use of this space will only be encouraged from dawn to dusk, in line with the Parks Use By-Law.

The County of Brant appreciates support and advocacy for wildlife habitats at this property. One of the goals for Watt’s Pond open space network is to protect and enhance habitats while mitigating the presence and spread of invasive species and pests to share nature safely and successfully between people and wildlife. Responsibly developed and maintained trail networks in natural open spaces like these are vital to achieving harmony between people and nature while encouraging healthy active lifestyles. They help foster a connection with nature and facilitate learning opportunities about cultural and natural resources. Much research exists on this topic, and our trail planning, implementation, and construction is educated on and considers these aspects.

The largest disruptions to wildlife typically occur during construction. To mitigate disruptions and restore suitable habitat quickly, Staff aim to have trail building occur over a short and condensed period. Research indicates that species often return an area to pre-building levels once trail construction is complete. Inclusion of dedicated trails in natural settings concentrates recreational activity to a small footprint of disturbance. Unofficial trails can have a greater negative impact on wildlife and soil compaction than designated trails. 

The County will be doing its part to help – some measures include:

• Planting native meadow seed to encourage pollinators and meadow-bird species;
• Implementing targeted habitat restoration, enhancement, and creation;
• Invasive species management operations;
• Adaptive management practices; and
• Creating awareness through interpretation signage.

Native meadow mixes that encourage pollinators and species that keep pests and invasives at bay will be incorporated into the site as a top priority. Routine meadow maintenance via annual mowing in appropriate timing windows will mitigate invasive species and unwanted pests from establishing. Thoughtful inclusion of plantings and habitat creation will encourage pollinator species and a healthy functioning ecosystem.

Southern Ontario has a large presence of ticks and other insect pests. It is important for the community to be aware of safety precautions around these insects. Tick information signage will be posted at the site. More information can be found on the Brant County Health Unit website. 

Feedback regarding trail alignment will be considered. In the long term, a network of dedicated and delineated trails have a much smaller footprint than erratic desire lines from unauthorized trails. The County of Brant aims to achieve accessible and connected open space systems for all community members to enjoy. 

Trail network design is important to direct trail users to suitable places while deterring access to undesirable locations (i.e., private property, nesting habitats, etc.). The intent of this trail system is to provide an interesting and engaging trail experience and deter off-trail activity. The County discourages trail braiding, unauthorized trail building, and short cutting. The goal is to provide users with an attractive and interesting trail network responding to desire lines and providing viewpoints and rest areas. 

This is a County-owned piece of land, and as a steward of the land, the County recognizes the importance of providing a well-connected public open space system consisting of parks, greenspaces, and natural areas. Public access to open space systems contributes to the quality of life that makes the County a wonderful place to live, work, and play. The County has an obligation to provide, encourage, and connect natural areas for all residents in a way that is inclusive – providing equitable opportunities for activity and interaction while maintaining a high standard of ecological integrity and community design.

That said, there are mitigation measures that can be implemented by homeowners to help with any privacy concerns including planted screening, setbacks from lot lines, diverting sightlines, etc. 

The County of Brant's stormwater management ponds (SWM ponds) are designed to store water and prevent flooding. They are not intended for public use. Since they store excess rainfall and collect sediment and other contaminants, they are unsuitable for aquatic species to live. Their edges, however, are valuable in providing habitats for birds, wildlife, and insects. 

Prior to development in the area, this site functioned as a farm property owned by the Lees family since the 1920's. Cows used to graze near the pond and ice harvests were conducted by family members on Watt’s Pond. The remnants of the old icehouse foundation still exist today. The area has always been rich in diverse vegetation, fish, critters, and bird populations. A member of the Lees family carved out the trail that goes around the southern portion of the pond. It was a place they enjoyed sharing with family and friends, and they had always hoped the beautiful area would continue to be enjoyed by many people in the future.