Restore the ecological integrity of Mermaid creek highly impacted by inappropriate trail location
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Mermaid Creek Recovery Program
How Mermaid Creek has changed since the 50s’
– Originally Mermaid Creek and its watershed was running through a forest of Douglas fir.
– By the end of the 19 century, the land was slowly converted into farmland.
– In 1954 (see aerial photo), Mermaid creek was still surrounded by Douglas Fir wood and fields or prairies.
Today, the creek is surrounded by residential properties.
The creek’s watershed has become the main storm drain of the municipality of Sidney covering approximately 1.5 square kilometres.
The major problems are :
Inappropriate trail location, Collapsing banks, Invasive species, Storm runoff, Pollution runoff.
Challenges
The position of the Municipality
Officially, there is no public access between Mermaid park and Roberts bay. The trail is not authorized.
Mermaid Creek is not a priority for the authorities
Despite that, Mermaid Creek has been directly affected by Sidney’s urban development, mitigate erosion on his banks is not a priority for the municipality.
Different authorities involved
Not clear which level of government has authority to intervene (federal, provincial, municipal)
Thierry Bodson
Resthaven Drive, Sidney
Where it is located...
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8 comments
Thanks Corey. I would be please to share ideas related to Mermaid Creek restoration and involved other neighbours interested. If a document describing the environmental importance of this area can help, I will be happy to elaborate on this document with the help of local experts.
Thanks, Jocelyn, for your comment. Yes, Mermaid Creek plays a key role for resident and migratory birds, and neighbours’ support can catalyze more actions from the authorities.
The Mermaid Creek estuary has benefitted from support by neighbours to build up grasses and the delta. Tiny forage fish spawn here and, with other plants and animals in the sand and mud, support herons, ducks, (buffleheads, teals, wigeons, etc) and other populations. I assume that the delta and wildlife would benefit from improvements to Mermaid Creek.
Happy to catch your attention on this piece of land. What can be done to initiate some action on the ground? I am not sure where to ask for help to move forward. Any advice is welcome.
Thierry, over the past few years the Town has completed a new Parks Master plan, and then undertaken some improvements in specific parks as a result (e.g. Rathdown Park most recently).http://www.sidney.ca/Assets/Parks+and+Recreation/Parks/Parks+Master+Plan.pdfThe Mermaid Park section in the Parks Master Plan notes the following as a “Priority Improvement” for this park:”Investigate restoration of Mermaid Creek within park boundaries as well as opportunities to south, into neighbourhood.”Town staff are currently working on budget items for various parks that can be brought forward to Council for consideration. I think a focus on the environmental importance of this area in the new OCP would also help Council make decisions on funding this restoration work, applying for grants, etc.
Great information Thierry and definitely an area of Sidney that would benefit from greater attention.
Hello Eric,
I like this idea too and Mermaid Park (where Mermaid Creek goes underground) could be converted into a little wetland capable to absorb storm runoff. A smart way to team up with nature!
I like the idea of daylighting Mermaid and other creeks. We could be using the creeks to add much needed greenery to Sidneys Urban area.