Hamilton Conservation Authority Review

DO NOT FALL FOR THE BUS SCAM, but do visit the beautiful falls. It didn't make sense that there were police officers blocking every entrance or possible parking spot, that they were charging $30 for a family of four to park, that you were only allowed to shuttle bus between sights or walk up on the road, that they offered "free entry to their market" with the purchase of entry (who pays to go into a dumpy market to begin with??), or that you were not able to go anywhere except stand on viewing platforms or boring short trails crammed with all the other visitors.

This prompted me to ask questions to both locals and the people running this scam to get to the bottom of things. Everyone had a different excuse for why they changed everything but not one answer made logical sense. If the issues were actually traffic or maintaining the nature there would be countless better solutions (look at all the places in northern Ontario that maintain their natural beauty for locals and thrive off tourism).

Finally someone working there admitted that it got busy with all the "people you can see obviously aren't from here" aka not white and that "the locals and the police hated it so they did this to discourage people from coming".

Do not listen to the lies that the police and staff of the conservation authority give you, there is another way to access the falls for free and that is actually the only way to see all the beautiful parts. (as they leave open for all the locals who know better than to pay or take the shuttle).

VISIT THE FALLS BUT DO NOT SPEND A $ SUPPORTING DUNDAS' XENOPHOBIA.

If anyone involved in this scam would like to openly discuss possible solutions I would be more than happy to help.

They have no financial AID from government. Thanks for keeping Hamilton GREEN

Their vision statement to work to ensure healthy streams and healthy communities is a joke. They have no concern for community. They bully and intimidate communities and refuse to listen to input from those communities. They are overstepping their authority and expropriating residential property for the soul purpose of growing tourism. Apparently they need to change their mission statement as this has nothing to do with conservation and everything to do with growing revenue through tourism. Corporate Sponsors should consider where their donations are going. Your money is not going towards park conservation...your money is going to Expropriation lawyers!

My spouse and dog and I visited the Heritage Trail and Main Loop on a weekday morning and it was lovely!! There were quite a few other people using the trail, but not to the point where we found it overly busy. The trails are well-marked with signs and maps, and very well-maintained - wide and flat and mostly covered in gravel. We didn't see too much wildlife, only a downy woodpecker and a tiny forest frog. I would love to return and try out some of the other trails within the conservation area. The parking fee is a very reasonable cost for park upkeep.

The Webster's Falls and Tews Falls experience was ruined with their new weekend policy of not allowing hundreds of vehicles to park in the two locations but rather forcing tourists to drive to christie lake and take a shuttle bus to the falls. The entire process is highly unpleasant and time consuming. All other parks and organizations for that matter have a first come first serve parking policy, but the HCA policy is to bar EVERYONE from parking and enjoying Hamilton's beautiful natural sites. In the end it feels like a money grab which inconveniences all tourists at the falls.

I have had a conservation pass for the last two years and love it!! It has paid for itself a few times. As for the people having problems with the busses to tews falls, people don t care about other peoples property and think they can park we re they want bet you would be pretty ticked if you lived there and people were constantly blocking your driveway! And street! Perhaps it might not be the best solution to suit you, but it is a solution!

HCA works hard to monitor and maintain the health of the watershed and ecosystems. Thank you!

The Hamilton Conservation Authority is very efficient with processing Permit applications and are very easy and helpful with questions regarding the process. They are excellent stewards of nature in our community and do a great job of creating natural place for the all to enjoy.

For those who gave unfairly low ratings arising from their irrational dislike of the waterfall shuttle, realize there is so much more to HCA than two waterfalls. I also bought the annual pass today in support of HCA.

called to get a membership mid-march...only offered me an appointment to renew my card...poor promoter of their own product-recreation