Ecological Restoration Plan for Portage Park: Recommendations for Restoration and Community Engagement

Abstract

Portage Park is a unique natural green space in View Royal as it contains a mosaic of ecosystems and significant biodiversity. Furthermore, Portage Park provides essential habitat for native plants and animals and is a rich natural recreational hub for the surrounding community. Just over 6 hectares in area, Portage Park is the largest municipal nature park in View Royal. Portage Park is classified as a Park and Recreation area. Working to restore Portage Park will improve the park's overall ecological integrity and provide valuable opportunities for community stewardship. Restoring Portage Park will take many years to culminate; there should be a marked improvement within a few years, but it will take decades of ongoing work and maintenance to fully restore the ecological integrity of the park’s diverse ecosystems. While the result of the restorative efforts is important, the very process of community-led restoration is essential to achieving a successful and sustainable result. Community-driven restoration efforts inspire local stewardship and sustainability of the project as it creates a sense of responsibility and ownership in its participants. Previous restoration plans have been created for Portage Park, and volunteers have participated in work parties to remove invasive plants such as English Ivy (Hedera helix). However, none of the previous work has been continuous and some of the previous volunteer work ceased several years ago. The Ecological Restoration Plan for Portage Park: Recommendations for Restoration and Community Engagement outlines critical recommendations for restoration activities divided into three phases: Phase 1 (1 to 3 years), Phase 2 (3 to 7 years) and Phase 3 (7 to 10 years). Phase 1 will be the main focus of this plan. The plan also provides recommendations for developing a self-sustaining volunteer program-the pillar for a successful restoration project.