Linking to:
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Niagara Falls Parkway
To join in the 'Good Fences' meme, I've got a few pictures of the ornamental stone and wrought iron fence that winds along the top of the gorge at Niagara Falls. I still have trouble believing it, but the Niagara Parks Commission was established as early as 1885, and has managed to maintain the entire Canadian shore of the Niagara River as public open space in the years since.
This is the fence the public can walk along to view the falls. It's not just ornamental of course, 'cause there's a cliff just beyond it. It provides a great place to lean on while taking pictures of the falls.
Same goes for the American Falls; the entire area on the Canadian side is a public promenade along this fence.
There are lots of hotels of course, and for a short distance further north, some beautiful big old homes, but they're all on the inward side of the parkway; access to the gorge is all public land.
There's actually a 55 km. public trail along the river, almost all the way from Niagara-on-the-lake on Lake Ontario, to Fort Erie on Lake Erie, past the falls. Only the bits near the falls that attract lots of visitors have a nice fence like this.
Not only is the land public, but there's a Parkway all the same distance, with considerable parkland around it, and a number of interesting attractions like the Botanical Garden, the School of Horticulture, and the Butterfly Conservatory. In fact their was a public road allowance along the river in the original survey of 1786. That original road has been maintained and the parkland expanded around it ever since.
I had the mistaken impression that Niagara Falls was all tacky attractions and actually avoided coming here for years because of that. But all those attractions are back from the river, and up on a hill, (centred around the casino); the parkland along the river has been kept undefiled.
The Skylon Tower is another of those attractions, but we were able to drive up beside the river, through all the open parkland.
The fences are just a symbol of the public land that's been maintained, but I was impressed by the fact that we've done that!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What a wonderfull area to have been so well maintained.
ReplyDeleteWonderful views from all round, and gardens close by. What a magical part of your world.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty area! I am glad you got to visit the falls:)
ReplyDeleteThe falls look so big and scary to me, but love the sound of water :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful fence! They sure don't build 'em like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful combination of iron and stone!
ReplyDeleteLovely - and so nice to see public spaces preserved - it isn't always that way here on the west coast - too many people get policies changed so they can build private homes in front of the best views - so disappointing to find a lake and then have no access to it. At least in California they reserve access for public beaches among the many houses. Better than nothing I suppose.
ReplyDeleteLook at that! I have a photo of me taken in 1993 in front of that very fence. I agree it really is a handsome fence. Not nearly enough effort goes into designing little things like fences which is a shame because these ones help to make Niagara special.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever see that weird US TV show called Wonderfalls? I think it was cancelled after about only 5 episodes but I loved it. The heroine worked in a tacky tourist shop at Niagara Falls and could understand all the plastic souvenir creatures when they spoke to her. I have it on DVD - must watch it again.
Been many years since I have been to Niagara Falls and I'm happy to see much of it still looks the same. I always liked the flower gardens there.
ReplyDeleteHave been along the parkway many times from one end to the other and love the parks, fences, and scenery. Nice that it is being maintained that way too.
ReplyDeleteThat is impressive that parkway has been there for so long and maintained so well. Beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteMB
The Falls are beautiful and lovely ornate fences ~ great shots! thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a peaceful week ~ ^_^
What a great tour!!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot how beautiful it was down there until your recent posts. We never seem to appreciate what is right in our own area!
ReplyDeleteIt's good that they've kept the circus away from the falls. Terrific shots!
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since we were last at the Falls that I'd forgotten that fence. Thank you for posting your photos. The Canadian side is so much nicer and more appealing than how I remember the U.S. side.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour. I've never been but would love to visit the Falls some day.
ReplyDeletemost is quite beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos .The last time I was in Niagara falls was back in the 80s . Thanks for sharing , have a good day !
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go and see the river.
ReplyDelete~
That fencing is so pretty looking. I've love to visit the falls someday.
ReplyDelete