Red Hill Valley facts for kids
The Red Hill Valley is a beautiful natural area in eastern Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It's a long, low area of land with a creek flowing through it. The valley gets its name from the reddish soil found there, which is full of iron.
The main feature of the valley is the Red Hill Creek. This creek flows for about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). It starts at Albion Falls on the Niagara Escarpment. The creek then winds its way north-east before turning north-west. Finally, it empties into Hamilton Harbour. The Red Hill Valley is quite large, covering an area of about 1,600 acres.
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Building the Parkway
For many years, there was a big discussion about building a major road through the Red Hill Valley. This road is now known as the Red Hill Valley Parkway. It was finished in 2007.
Why the Parkway Was Built
The idea for the parkway started in the 1970s. It was planned as a way to help traffic move around Hamilton. The road would allow people to travel more easily to the south and east parts of the city. The valley was chosen for the road's path. This was because building through the valley would avoid tearing down homes in nearby neighborhoods.
Disagreements and Changes
Building the parkway was not easy. Many people, especially those who care about the environment, did not want the road built. They worried about how it would affect the valley's nature.
After many years of talks and studies, some changes were made to the plan. These changes aimed to protect the valley as much as possible. For example, the road was made narrower, with four lanes instead of six. Also, plans were made to clean up polluted areas near the creek. There were also efforts to improve the creek's natural home for animals.
The City of Hamilton decided to go ahead with building the road in the early 2000s. Some people tried to stop the construction by protesting in the valley. Because of this, the city had to use security guards to make sure the project could be finished.
Exploring King's Forest
At the top of the Red Hill Valley, where it meets the Niagara Escarpment, you'll find a park called King's Forest. This is a lovely area for nature lovers.
Waterfalls in King's Forest
Inside King's Forest, smaller streams that feed into the Red Hill Creek create three beautiful waterfalls. These waterfalls tumble down the Escarpment.
- Albion Falls: This is the most famous waterfall in the area. It's a popular spot for visitors.
- Buttermilk Falls: This waterfall is close to Albion Falls. It is not as well-known as the others.
- Felker's Falls: This is another impressive waterfall found in King's Forest.
