Rethinking Chedoke Creek

The future of a critical Hamilton waterway that is partially buried is being imagined in a community design lab.

Water is foundational to Hamilton. We are a city on a harbour that has been the focus of inhabitants for generations. Whether it was for trading or industry, or for recreation at places like Bayfront Park and Pier 4, the story of Hamilton is fundamentally about water. But this doesn’t stop at the harbour. In fact, Hamilton is built upon a series of creeks — and they all contribute to the ecological architecture of the city.

Whether you live in Waterdown, on the Mountain, in Stoney Creek or downtown, creeks flow from the edges of the community, down the escarpment to the harbour below, and these are a common thread that links all of us together. Nowhere is this more true than with Chedoke Creek. While this creek has been in the news over the past few years for all the wrong reasons, it remains a very important waterway that travels through six neighbourhoods above and below the Niagara Escarpment.

The creek’s full route was documented in the book Daylighting Chedoke: Exploring Hamilton’s Hidden Creek by John Terpstra, which follows the waterway from its source.  The creek’s origins are south of the Upper James and Mohawk Road intersection. From there, it weaves its way along the west Mountain until it becomes Chedoke Falls at Scenic Drive and pours over the Niagara Escarpment. It then makes its way through Chedoke Golf Course, past the Innovation Park and crosses Highway 403. Finally, it runs adjacent to the highway until it empties into Cootes Paradise.

Along its path, Chedoke Creek occasionally pops above ground and sees the light of day. The most recognizable spot where the Creek is visible is the final part of its journey where a watercourse carries the creek’s water alongside Highway 403 and into Cootes Paradise Marsh. Cootes Paradise Marsh is a special place, recognized as a provincially significant wetland, a National Historic Site, as well as a nationally important area for birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Chedoke Creek is an example of a partially buried stream, where water has been redirected underground into pipes or culverts, buried beneath urban construction, or filled in with dirt or other materials. While out of sight and out of mind for many, Chedoke Creek continues its flow from the top of the Niagara Escarpment and down to Hamilton Harbour, connecting the lower and upper halves of the city.

However, should Chedoke Creek remain as it is today? Could it be something else? To answer these questions, the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) launched an innovative engagement project: Rethinking Chedoke Creek.

BARC partnered with Civicplan and Toms + McNally Design, to reimagine three public spaces along the route of Chedoke Creek to illustrate how the community could become better connected to water by interpreting and daylighting the Creek, allowing people to engage with the watershed directly.

Keep in mind, this is a conceptual exercise. The images created are not site plans, but meant to inspire creative thinking.

Zone 1: Watercourse adjacent to Highway 403

This zone is a watercourse, an artificial channel, that runs parallel to Highway 403. It directs Chedoke Creek into Cootes Paradise.

Theme: Reconnection

The Zone 1 concept for the 403 watercourse is to reconnect people to Chedoke Creek, making it more accessible. Specifically, the concept proposes to improve water access for recreational use within the watercourse, providing boaters with opportunities to explore this part of the watershed beyond Cootes Paradise. Additionally, the concept expands a creekside trail network and introduces new amenities to the area, such as interpretive signage, lighting, and seating. Finally, the concept proposes a green barrier between the watercourse and Highway 403 to buffer the sound and visual impact of the highway.

Zone 2: Chedoke Golf Course

This zone runs through Chedoke Civic Golf Club’s Martin Course. The creek continues from a waterfall coming down the escarpment. The area of focus is the buried portion of the creek under the Martin Course.

Theme: Daylighting

The Zone 2 concept proposes to daylight part of Chedoke Creek that currently runs through culverts underground. Additional features of the concept design include introducing new amenities such as seating, lighting, and interpretive signage along the daylighted water feature. In addition, naturalized plantings will be placed at points along the water feature. Finally, the plan proposes the introduction of a pedestrian pathway, including bridges, along and over the stream.

Zone 3: Colquhoun Park

This zone focuses on Colquhoun Park, where Chedoke Creek is buried under the park. The City of Hamilton established the park in 1960. Before then, the creek ran through the park area and flowed to a waterfall down the escarpment, leading to Chedoke Golf Course.

Theme: Discovery

The Zone 3 concept for Colquhoun Park proposes to introduce elements that will allow people to discover the historic route of Chedoke Creek in this area, without daylighting the stream itself. This is achieved by introducing a trail through the park that follows the historic creek path, which can be supplemented by naturalized plantings in areas along the route. In addition, park amenities can support opportunities to learn and reflect on the Chedoke watershed in this area through interpretive signage, seating and lighting. Finally, the concept maintains existing park activities, such as the baseball diamonds.

Participatory Community Design Lab

Through an interactive community design lab, the project brings these images to residents and is intended to engage and encourage people to participate in reimagining the role of water through public land and public space. The design lab is a “before and after” exercise where “after” doesn’t exist. Yet. But what could? What would it take? And what would it mean? The images encountered in the Community Design Lab have been created to elicit emotions, to provoke conversations, and to reimagine possibilities. Residents explore these conceptual images, rethink their way through each space, and provide thoughts, ideas, and feedback.

More broadly, Hamilton isn’t alone in reconsidering how waterways can be reclaimed as part of the urban landscape. Cities around the world have undertaken innovative projects to reshape their relationship with water. In doing so, they have become more sustainable, boosting quality of life for residents.

It is time for Hamilton to start a similar conversation and Rethinking Chedoke Creek is only a first step. Residents are invited to view the Community Design Lab at: https://barc.planlocal.ca

Paul Shaker is a Hamilton-based urban planner and principal with Civicplan.