Conservation Areas

Jessup's Falls

Plantagenet, Ontario: Along the South Nation River on the South Side of Highway 17

Home of the Annual Walleye Festival, this 5.26 hectare park is situated along the South Nation River, on the south side of Highway 17, just west of Plantagenet Village. In between the big White Pines and the majestic Oaks, we find a picnic shelter, some picnic tables, barbecues and privies. The area also features a parking area, a boat launch and floating docks.

J. Henry Tweed 

Russell, Ontario: In the Village of Russell on Forced Road

 J. Henry Tweed was donated to South Nation Conservation by Alexand Mable Little and Jean Hay in 1980. It is nestled amongst a subdivision and is a popular walking destination for many residents.J. Henry Tweed Park is a recreational area with trails within the Village of Russell, Ontario. These trails link with the Prescott-Russell Recreational Trails (bike and hike). The park area is over 16 acres. 

High Falls Conservation Area

Casselman, Ontario: Bordering the Village on the South Nation River

This Conservation Area consists of two parcels of land totaling 2.25 hectares located on either side of the river. This area offers interesting views, particularly of the old Coupal Dam, which still stands. It is situated on the western edge of the Village of Casselman and is easily accessible from County Road 3. This day use park offers a picnic site for your enjoyment. Along the river's edge picnic tables and benches are situated amongst maples, ash and willows.

Other facilities includes barbecues, a water fountain, privies, a picnic shelter, and a group fire pit. The area on the north side of the river is equipped with a boat ramp and wodden dock to assist with boat launching into the South Nation River. Boaters can travel upstream only as the Casselman weir prevents downstream movement.

St-Albert Conservation Area

St-Albert,Ontario: County Road 7

This 0.1 hectare park is located on the eatern bank of the South Nation River in the village of St-Albert. St-Albert conservation Area is primarily used as an acess point to the South Nation River. The Conservation Area is equipped with a boat ramp and wodden dock to assist with boat launching into the South Nation River. The park is situated on the north-east side of the South Nation River and is accessed from County Road 7.

Cass Bridge Conservation Area

Winchester, Ontario: Along Highway 31

This park is a 1.05 hectare property situated along the northern bank of the South Nation River. It is located south of the Village of Winchester off highway 31. Along the South Nation River, Cass Bridge is a pleseant stop over. It consists of an open area where children and adults can play games alike, a small mature stand of deciduous and coniferous trees which nestles picnic tables, benches and privies and an observation area for those who which to enjoy peace and tranquility of the South Nation River. This site consists of a boat launch area with floating dock and a play structure for children's enjoyment.

W.E. Burton Conservation Area

Russell, Ontario: Church Street

W.E. Burton Conservation Area was named after prominent past Chairman on the Board of Directors at the South Nation Conservation, Mr. Ernie Burton from Russell,Ontario. The park now has approximately 3 km of nature trails which winds along the Castor River passing through pine plantations, a hardwood bush and also abuts to the Russell Dam and reservoir.

Facilities include a picnic shelter with numerous tables and benches throughout the park. It also includes a scenic viewing area overlooking the Russell Dam, situated on the Castor River. The park is located in the Village of Russell on the north side if Church Street, approximately 1000 feet east of the water tower.

Oak Valley Pioneer Park

Winchester Springs, Ontario: Baldwin Road

The park is located on Baldwin Road in Mountain Township, west of Winchester Springs via County Road 5, to Kirkwood and Baldwin Roads. It is west of the forks of the North and South Branches of the South Nation River, (45.00 N 75.22 W).

The four hectare park sits on the north branch channel, which divides the former Bigford farm. The site is owned by South Nation Conservation (SNC). The east part of the site was planted with pine trees by SNC, and under planted with Walnuts as well as other hardwood, by Irene Woolford Broad and other volunteers.

The west half of the site is planted largely with Oak trees and contains one of Ontario's three Butternut archives, (testing for resistence to Butternut canker), Nut Pine, Ginko, Hickory and other related species. There are over 25 species of trees and shrubs planted on the site.

The Truscott Tree Nursery raises hardwood seedlings for sale to the general public and for planting on public properties. The nursery is surrounded by a wall of Hazels.

The Pioneer Homesteads Project recognizes settler families with plaques that are mounted on glacial boulders and on plinths in front of trees.

The site is operated and managed by volunteers according to a business plan. the plan identifies five main objectives:

• A tree arboretum
• Pioneer Memorial Projects
• The tree nursery
• Tree research projects
• Passive recreation such as picnics, walking, fishing, etc.

New Volunteers are always welcome!

The site is open fron dusk till dawn from May 1st to October 15th.

The park is supported by SNC, the Township of North Dundas, Human Resources and Development Canada, Forest Gene Conservation Association, Oak foundation, Lions Club, Canadian Legion, National Defense, Fish and Games Club and S D & G Land Stewardship Council.

Two brochures are available:

• A Community Park Memorial
• Historical Perspective