The Niagara Foundation is raising $1 million to preserve and restore the Wilderness, a historic property at 407 King St. in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The campaign marks phase two of the group’s three-phase project. The first phase, acquiring the property, was completed in December, funded by $1.6 million in donations.
“So by the end of phase two, we’ll have over $2.5 million in the project,” said chair Lyle Hall.
All money raised goes 100 per cent into the project.
The next phase will involve clearing overgrowth, removing invasive species and hazardous trees and restoring the grounds.
“Lots of hazardous trees that we’ve spent a considerable sum to have removed,” said Hall. “That’s what we’re raising the funds for right now is to pay for what we’ve done and what we hope to do through phase two.”
About a third of the $1-million goal has already been raised, said Hall.
“I’m very grateful for the support of the interest of residents,” he said.
The foundation hosted a sneak peek on Saturday for past donors, neighbours and volunteers, offering a look at the site’s progress and sharing plans for its future.
The property, known as the Wilderness for about a century, was partially left to the foundation by Ruth Parker, one of two sisters who owned it, on the basis that it be preserved and used for the benefit of NOTL residents, he said.
In April 2024, the foundation announced that it had acquired 100 per cent of the property, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Goettler Family Foundation and several other significant donations from NOTL residents.
“In accepting that responsibility, we feel we owe it to her to maintain and achieve her wishes,” he said. “We’re calling it an oasis in town.”
It’ll be a place where people go for walks, take their dogs and a gathering place, as it has been for thousands of years, Hall said — a place rooted in Indigenous, horticultural, British colonial, governmental and local history, he said.
Cleanup work has started on the south side of the property, where dangerous trees have been removed, trees trimmed and ground cover cleared.
The foundation plans to create a path and replant with native trees and ground cover, while looking at possible perimeter borders, like gates and fencing.
Similar work is planned for the north side, where One Mile Creek runs through, though Hall said the team must follow conservation authority rules for working near the watercourse.
The work has created a few ruts on the property, which the foundation has re-levelled and re-seeded. Hall said this kind of site maintenance is ongoing.
“We brought crane trucks in to help remove some of the trees,” Hall said
Much of the work is being led by professionals, including arborists, landscape architects and heritage architects — some of whom have donated their time or offered discounted services, like Arborwood Tree Service.
“That’s what’s driving the more intensive things. The tree removal, for example,” he said. “That was paid work done by Arborwood in partnership with the foundation.”
“We know we’re getting very, very good value,” he said.
There’s no set donation amount and the foundation will continue fundraising even after reaching its target.
“There’s no shortage of things to spend money on,” Hall said of the site, adding that every dollar is carefully tracked and he’s prepared to explain how it’s been used to any donor.
The foundation isn’t actively recruiting volunteers right now, but Hall said “that almost certainly will change.”
Once phase two is complete, phase three, which remains unfunded and will likely require a partner, will focus on the main house and carriage house.
Right now, the focus is on getting through the second phase. Hall said the foundation has a clear vision for the grounds — what the current $1-million campaign is focused on.
“I’m hoping that we could potentially provide some form of public access into next year.”
