Boardwalk Enhancement at Baxter Conservation Area; Phase 2 - Installation of new boardwalk sections and viewing platforms

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) manages the Baxter Conservation Area, which is located on the shores of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. RVCA is working towards making the 5 km of trails at Baxter Conservation Area fully accessible to people with disabilities. Baxter Conservation Area hosts 45,000 visitors per year of which 9,000 are students participating in the Outdoor Education classes. As part of the trail system, there is an existing boardwalk that crosses the mouth of Cranberry Creek, which is also a Provincially Significant Wetland. This boardwalk has fallen into disrepair and is currently closed to the public. The RVCA proposes to create two new spur boardwalks leading to viewing platforms in different parts of the wetland, and to remove one existing viewing platform. Due to the scope of work (expansion of a structure within a Provincially Significant Wetland), and to reflect concern regarding potential impact to a select number of Species at Risk as well as marsh birds, the proposed project is outside the scope and conditions of any PRIAs that are currently available, and therefore needs to be assessed using the BIA pathway. On the positive side, the new boardwalks and viewing platforms will bring thousands of people to view the wetland and environmental education initiatives will help to teach the importance of these ecosystems.

Latest update

April 30, 2025 - The assessment decision statement has been issued to the proponent.

Participate

Contacts

Rideau Canal National Historic Site
34 Beckwith Street South
Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 2A8
Telephone: 613-283-5170 or 1-888-773-8888
Fax: 613-283-0677
Email: rideau@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Recreation and Tourism

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2022-10-25

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    84066

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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