BikeBrampton’s interest in Heart Lake Road extends back to 2013, when some of our members participated in Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Ecology Monitoring Project. We saw cars and trucks speeding along narrow 2-lane Heart Lake Road, while we counted the wildlife carnage of squashed turtles, frogs and other critters. This amazing rural road adjacent to Heart Lake Conservation Area represents hundreds of hours of well-spent time and energy by volunteers, and Staff of TRCA and City of Brampton. At a meeting on March 16, 2022, we saw a pair of Barred Owls mating in a tree at the edge of the wetland!
Background of Heart Lake Road
The Report for Brampton Heritage Board re Heart Lake Road April 15 2014 v3, was prepared by Dayle & David Laing to detail the ancient and recent history of the road, and why the authors and the 361 petition signatories advocated for Heart Lake Road to become a ‘Cultural Heritage Landscape’, as designated by the Province of Ontario. By 2020, this designation had been made. Heart Lake Wetland Complex is 7th most important Provincially Significant Wetland in Southern Ontario. The wetland is bisected by Heart Lake Road, immediately south of Countryside Drive, and further south.
How do we continue to protect the animals, calm the traffic, and preserve the Cultural Heritage Landscape of Heart Lake Road?
Roundabout at Heart Lake Rd & Countryside Dr Intersection
Members of BikeBrampton support the installation of a Roundabout, because it will slow traffic speeds, reduce wildlife collisions, reduce vehicles stopping & starting and have minimal intrusion into the wetland. This would enhance the ‘public realm’ and be in keeping with the Cultural Heritage Landscape. Along Heart Lake Road, BikeBrampton does not support encroachment into the wetland for the purpose of active transportation. We support the roundabout option without encroachment on Conservation land. We support proposed separated bike lanes, provided the road width not be expanded into the wetlands on either side. We We do not support street lighting along Heart Lake Road due to its status as a Cultural Heritage Landscape.
On Oct 1, 2020, the City of Brampton has initiated a Schedule ‘B’ Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for improvements to the intersection of Heart Lake Road and Countryside Drive. The City identified the need for intersection improvements as part of an overall operational and safety improvement for the Heart Lake Road Corridor.
This Study will define the problem(s) with the intersection, identify and evaluate alternative solutions to the problem, evaluate alternative design concepts for the solution, recommend a preferred design concept. Additionally, potential impacts to the social, cultural and natural environments will be assessed and mitigation measures will be determined.
2022 02 25 FINAL Heart Lake_Countryside – SHG Meeting Presentation
BikeBrampton members agree with the recommendations of this Environmental Assessment presentation conclusion preferring a Roundabout. Our only question would be why it is deemed necessary to have lighting at the intersection.
2020 06 07 Heart Lake Countryside intersection EA notification Committee of Council – contains background of project, current need for traffic calming and preservation of Cultural Heritage Landscape.
Heart Lake Road Function and Design Review 2017-2019
BikeBrampton members sat on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Function and Design Review. The consultant recommended that Heart Lake Road be designated by the province as a Cultural Heritage Landscape, which has since happened. Also recommended was the installation of 2 more eco-passage culverts, and wildlife directional fencing. These were completed in 2019.
A roundabout at Countryside Drive was one of the recommended longer term alternatives.
2019 02 08 Function and Design Review of Heart Lake Road Corridor_FinalReport
Delegations to Brampton Council Committees:
Feb 2, 2014 TRCA delegation to Environmental Planning Advisory Committee (BEPAC) – Agenda, Minutes
2014 02 27 HLREMP_Ph2_BEC_PT Meeting presentation
Apr 13, 2015 staff report (see pp.61-76) and David Laing’s (see pp.77-101) delegation to Brampton Planning Infrastructure Services re Heart Lake Road Mitigation – Agenda, Minutes Council Minutes
Sept 8, 2014 David Laing delegation to Brampton Planning, Development & Design Committee re Heart Lake Road Traffic Calming – Agenda, Minutes Delegation was added to agenda at the meeting; link to presentation follows: 2014 09 08 Heart Lake Rd Stop Sign PD&D Delegation Slides
Apr 13, 2014 David Laing delegation to Brampton Heritage Board re Heart Lake Road Cultural Heritage Landscape – Agenda, Minutes,
Report for Brampton Heritage Board re Heart Lake Road April 15 2014 v3
History of TRCA’s Heart Lake Road Ecology Monitoring Project (HREMP):
HREMP 2016 Final Report
HLREMP 2014 Final Report
HLREMP 2013 Final Report
HLREMP 2011 Final Report
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