Greensville resident petitions against fees at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

It’s going to cost more to hike in Dundas following the return of daily advance reservation fees at the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

A Greensville woman is speaking out against the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), saying locals shouldn’t have to pay.

Catharine Roberts started a petition last week asking for free access for local residents. And so far, she has a little over 500 people who agree with her.

READ MORE: Spencer Gorge Conservation Area to require advanced reservation

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area is a popular fall hiking spot in Hamilton.

“It has been the park that is at the heart of our community,” Roberts said.

Roberts lives close to Webster’s Falls and says she has a special connection to it.

“When my kids were younger we would have our Canada Day barbeques in Webster’s Falls park and the Greensville Optimist Club would come with their truck with burgers and french fries, there would be games for the kids,” Roberts said.

However, Roberts says the popularity of the parks has grown significantly over the recent years, specifically in the fall.

“The City of Hamilton and the conservation authority have been promoting it quite extensively as a tourist attraction as part of the city of waterfalls, and that’s had a tremendous effect, so now we’re inundated with tourists in the fall.”

In 2020, the Hamilton Conservation Authority put a reservation system in place and it was brought back again this year.

READ MORE: Weekend reservations for Spencer Gorge Conservation area begins May 21

Starting last weekend, anyone who wants to visit the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area will have to reserve a 2-hour block, for a fee.

The reservation fee is $10, plus an admission fee of $11 per car and $5 per passenger.

Those holding an HCA membership pass will receive free admission, but will still be required to pay the reservation fee.

Roberts says she believes local residents of Greensville shouldn’t have to pay because they live so close to the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.

“This is our backyard, we all choose to live in this rural area with no municipal water and sewer services, because we want the proximity to these natural wonders that are in our backyard,” Roberts said.

READ MORE: HCA to help Canada reach 30% land protection goal by 2030

Roberts started a petition last week asking the Hamilton Conservation Authority to grant local residents free access.

“I would hope the conservation authority would engage in a dialogue with residents and try and find a resolution.”

Bruce Harschnitz, the manager of conservation area services with HCA tells CHCH News that the reservation fees cover the operation of the reservation system, while the admission fees cover the park’s maintenance and operations.

He says in order to provide free access, HCA would need funding assistance from the City of Hamilton and the Township of Puslinch.

The petition is also calling on Ward 13 councillor Alex Wilson to work on granting free access.