- Niagara Parks Foundation to receive $400,000 over three years from TD Bank Group, toward new Visitor Experience and Ecological Enhancement Initiative at Dufferin Islands
Niagara Falls, ON – Through collaboration with the Niagara Parks Foundation, TD Bank Group has committed $400,000 over the next three years, to launch the Dufferin Islands Visitor Experience and Ecological Enhancement Initiative. This multi-phase project, funded through the TD Ready Commitment, will strengthen the overall environmental sustainability of the site. In addition, the project will continue to support meaningful experiences for guests of all ages and abilities, who visit this treasured public park.
Dufferin Islands Visitor Experience and Ecological Enhancement Project
The Dufferin Islands nature area represents a unique active-use, natural urban park, located adjacent to Niagara Falls, and just steps away from the upper Niagara River. Although the park has undergone a variety of changes over the years, the area remains home to a diverse population of plant and animal species, including those classified as ‘rare’ and ‘at-risk’. A popular destination since the 1920’s, Dufferin Islands conjures up fond memories for many, of leisurely afternoon picnics spent with family, over decades past.
As park use has steadily increased in recent years, so has the need for considerable restoration efforts to address a variety of concerns, from trail accessibility and infrastructure renewal, to adding protection from future threats, such as flooding, erosion and invasive species. As a result, project partners have designed a plan to implement this initiative in multiple phases, over a three-year period. Key project investment goals include:
- Restoring stability along critical sections of the islands, shoreline and the surrounding moraine to protect sensitive habitats, while continuing to safely host visitors year-round.
- Thoughtfully addressing the inventory of aging infrastructure, to identify and remove barriers to increase universal access.
- Developing educational programming opportunities in nature, suited to all ages and abilities. This includes the creation of new interpretive content, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, to foster a greater appreciation of the unique history of this area.
QUOTES
Niagara Parks Chair, April Jeffs
“This incredible support provided to the Niagara Parks Foundation by TD Bank will provide essential funds for the stewardship of this cherished site at Niagara Parks. Dufferin Islands has long been a favourite location for local residents and visitors to enjoy leisure activities including nature walks, picnics and birdwatching, while also functioning as a diverse ecological habitat. I look forward to seeing these improvements to Dufferin Islands over the next three years.”
Niagara Parks Foundation Chair, Deborah Whitehouse
“We are grateful for the generous support of TD Bank, who continue to demonstrate their commitment to investing in important environmental stewardship initiatives. This funding will enable Dufferin Islands to be preserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy, while supporting a unique ecological habitat at Niagara Parks.”
Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Carolyn Scotchmer
“We are thrilled to support the Niagara Parks Foundation and this important initiative to further environmental stewardship work at Dufferin Islands. Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, we believe in helping create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow. In collaborating with the Niagara Parks Foundation, we’re helping protect and restore the ecology of the park while increasing access to this beautiful green space.”
Media assets are available here.
About the Niagara Parks Foundation
The Niagara Parks Foundation is a registered charity governed by a Board of Governors, established to support and advance the stewardship initiatives of Niagara Parks. The Niagara Parks Foundation provides a unique opportunity for members of the public and corporations to actively contribute to one of the world’s most beloved public spaces, while generating additional funds to support Niagara Parks’ important stewardship responsibilities through funding, research, and public education.
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