Design Intent
The Mount Pleasant Natural Heritage System was developed with the intention to create a “green coast”. The NHS area is redside dace habitat and so the intention for restoration was to create habitats attractive to this endangered species and other significant ones such as owls, birds, turtles, and frogs. Channel features were designed and developed by NHS ecologists to create attractive habitats, creating small nooks and spaces for frogs, toads, and salamanders to hide in and bask in the sun. As part of the trail network, the treatment of the interface between public and natural features were important to address. Trailhead interfaces were designed on an individual basis, including trail marker walls; identification signs; wayfinding signs; trash receptacles; and concrete aprons. A wildlife barrier was designed to attach to the proposed traffic guardrail to keep animals within the NHS and avoid road kill and unsafe access into the NHS.
The NHS also consists of a series of trails, bridges and signage. The natural area will be utilized by the residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods. There are 5 pedestrian bridges within the NHS, over 5km of trails and many signs including wayfinding and interpretive signs. These signs are meant to inspire and educate trail users of the significance of the wildlife habitat. The City aims to engage citizens to participate in the environmental conservation of the NHS through ongoing intiatives, such as the following:
- Creating Habitat to Protect an Endangered Little Fish: Redside Dace
- Tree planting including Sugar Maples
- Creating Sandalwood Wetland
- Restoring a Stream on top of a Pipeline
- Enhancing Woodlots using Cedar Split-Rail Fence
Awards
2016 Brampton Urban Design Awards, Best Large Landscape
