The organization behind the ongoing revitalization of a historic plot of land in Old Town is inviting the public to have a look at the work it’s done so far to transform a forest that’s seen better days into an urban oasis.
The Niagara Foundation is opening the first public path through the Wilderness this spring and is hosting a gathering at the site on Tuesday, June 9 to talk about the restoration work taking place on the five acres of land at 407 King St. and let people explore the Wilderness through the pathway.
The path will run from Regent Street through to King Street. Crews are currently laying down layers of mulch that will make up the path.
Arlyn Levy, vice-chair of the Niagara Foundation, which acquired the full property two years ago, says this will be the first of multiple paths the foundation will open inside the land.
The foundation is leading a more-than $2.5-million project to restore the Wilderness property and turn it into public land that visitors can enjoy: walking through the forest, taking in the natural surroundings and learning about the site’s history, which stretches back hundreds of years.
The current phase of the process involves clearing overgrowth, removing invasive specieis and hazardous trees and restoring the grounds.
“We felt like it would be a great time to have the public, the community, come onto the site, and we’ll continue to work around it,” Levy said.
Right now, the foundation is working with a forestry consulting group on a forest management report, which will map out the restoration of these woodlands. This summer, it’ll begin removing some of the invasive plants on the site, including black locust trees, goutweed, Japanese spurge, lesser periwinkle, ivy, garlic mustard and more.
“That is a very long-term project,” she said. “When we get to a point where we feel like we can start planting to reintroduce native species, that’ll be next.”
Current plans are to replant about 500 to 750 trees and shrubs, to take place in stages, she said. The hope is to reduce erosion, suppress regrowth and encourage the regrowth of native species.
The goal for a project like this was set by Ruth Parker, one of three sisters who owned the property. She died in 2013 and her will stipulated that the heritage elements of the Wilderness be preserved and maintained for the benefit of the public.
Those who visit the Wilderness for the opening of the public path can expect to see a “rustic” forest, which Levy said will likely remain that way in the future, as well as wildlife like deer, coyotoes and birds.
“It’ll be a protected green space for the community, which I think is pretty incredible given that it’s a private property that we want to open to the public and share with the public,” she said. “We feel great about that and really excited.”
The event on June 9 begins at 2 p.m. Alongside the opening of the pathway, there will be a silent auction of butterfly-themed paintings donated by local artists, with all proceeds going to the foundation’s restoration efforts.
At 3 p.m., guest speaker Tim Johnson, president of the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations, will talk about the site and its connection to Indigenous history spanning back centuries.
There will also be a ceremonial release of butterflies involving students from Royal Oak Community School, followed by a ribbon-cutting, being led by Lauren and Vaughn Goettler, who helped launched the fundraising campaign for the foundation’s restoration work with a $1-million pledge in 2022 from the Goettler Family Foundation.
For those who can’t attend the pathway opening but would like to participate in the silent auction, the foundation will accept advance bids on June 9 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To view the artwork up for auction, visit theniagarafoundation.com/the-butterfly-effect.
