Walk the Puslinch Tract Conservation Area with Historian/Author Paul Langan

 

Walk the Puslinch Tract Conservation Area with Historian/Author Paul Langan

On Sunday June 22nd at 11:30am, I am excited to get back to hosting FREE group walks. I will take a group of interested people on a 1hr walk of the Puslinch Tract, Grand River Conservation Area. It is one of my top five places in walk in the area. Here is a LINK to register for the walk. I will keep the group no bigger than 15 people. Here is some historical information on Puslinch Tract.

Storied Past: From Gravel Pit to Green Oasis, the History of Puslinch Tract Conservation Area

The Puslinch Tract Conservation Area, a beloved 107-hectare natural space in Wellington County, boasts a history as varied and layered as its terrain. Before becoming a sanctuary for hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers, the land served a far more industrial purpose: a crucial source of gravel for the construction of one of Ontario's major arteries, Highway 401.

The story of the modern Puslinch Tract begins in the post-war era of infrastructure boom. Prior to the 1970s, the land was primarily used for aggregate extraction. Its gravel and sand deposits were instrumental in the building of the adjacent Highway 401. This period of intense excavation left a significant mark on the landscape, creating the pits and varied topography that characterize the area today.

Following the initial aggregate extraction, the land came under the management of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and was known as the Puslinch Crown Resource Management Area. The MNR, in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, embarked on a long-term rehabilitation project. This involved extensive tree planting efforts, with conifers being planted in open areas to improve soil conditions and promote the natural regeneration of hardwood forests. A variety of fast-growing tree species were also planted along the northern boundary to buffer the area from the noise and environmental impact of the highway.

A significant development during the MNR's tenure was the creation of ponds. The pits left by the gravel extraction were deepened and rehabilitated to establish a fishery, with the ponds being stocked with trout. To further enhance the area for wildlife, a variety of trees and shrubs attractive to various species were planted throughout the property.

Despite these restoration efforts, aggregate extraction did not entirely cease. A formalized management agreement in 1978 led to a second phase of extraction, which was carried out under a detailed development and rehabilitation plan.

A pivotal moment in the history of the Puslinch Tract came in 1999 when the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) assumed management of the property. Under the GRCA's stewardship, the area was officially designated as a conservation area, solidifying its future as a space for public recreation and environmental protection.

In the years that followed, the Puslinch Tract became particularly well-known for its extensive network of single-track trails, attracting a dedicated community of mountain bikers. The development and maintenance of these trails have been a collaborative effort, with a notable partnership formed between local mountain biking enthusiasts and the Waterloo-Wellington Hunt Club, who utilize the area for "drag hunting" (a form of hunting where hounds follow a scent trail).

Today, the Puslinch Tract Conservation Area stands as a testament to successful land reclamation. The scars of its industrial past have been transformed into a thriving ecosystem and a cherished recreational hub, offering a diverse landscape of forests, meadows, and ponds for the public to enjoy. It is a living example of how natural spaces can be restored and repurposed for the benefit of both the environment and the community.

Primary and Official Sources

• Grand River Conservation Authority. (n.d.). Puslinch Tract Conservation Area Master Plan. Retrieved from https://www.grandriver.ca/media/agdgxvfp/managementplan_puslinch.pdf

  • This master plan is the most comprehensive source, detailing the entire history from its use for aggregate extraction for Highway 401, its time as the "Puslinch Crown Resource Management Area," the roles of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MTC), the specific rehabilitation efforts including tree planting and pond creation, and the transfer of management to the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) in 1999.

• Baker, D., & Shoemaker, D. (1995). Environmental Assessment and Aggregate Extraction in Southern Ontario: The Puslinch Case. University of Waterloo. Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/applied-sustainability-projects/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/ontario_3_bakershoemaker_puslinch_aggregates.pdf

  • This academic report provides context on the environmental assessment processes related to aggregate extraction in the Puslinch area during the period mentioned in the history.

• Township of Puslinch. (n.d.). Local History. Retrieved from https://puslinch.ca/culture-recreation/heritage/local-history/

  • This source offers broader historical context about the Township of Puslinch, including settlement patterns and the significance of natural resources in the area's development.

Recreational and Community Sources

• Wellington-Waterloo Hunt. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wwhunt.ca/

  • The official website for the hunt club confirms its use of the area for drag hunting and provides information on the club's activities, corroborating the community partnership aspect of the tract's modern use.

• Trailforks. (n.d.). Puslinch Tract / Twin Ponds Mountain Biking Trails. Retrieved from https://www.trailforks.com/region/puslinch-tract--twin-ponds/

  • This mountain biking trail database confirms the extensive trail network and the area's popularity with the mountain biking community, and often includes user-generated content about the history and nature of the trails.

• Ontario Bike Trails. (2020, June 12). Puslinch – MTB Trail. Retrieved from https://ontariobiketrails.com/item/puslinch-mtb-trail/

  • This article provides a detailed description of the trail system from a user's perspective, mentioning the area's past as a gravel pit for Highway 401 and its management by the GRCA.