Conservation Halton, the agency that runs the region's conservation areas, wants to cut down 38 trees at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton so it can widen the road down to the beach and make it less steep. The goal is to meet the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the provincial law that sets accessibility standards, and to make it easier for emergency vehicles to get through. Halton regional council, which includes Burlington's mayor, will decide whether it goes ahead.
The agency has applied to Halton Region for a special permit to do the work at the park at 5234 Kelso Road. Because of the slope, a retaining wall would also be built, and another 44 trees are expected to be injured during construction but to live.
To make up for the loss, Conservation Halton would replace each tree removed with three, for 114 new trees. Region staff recommend approval, on conditions covering tree protection and the replacement planting. Neighbouring landowners were notified, and no one sent in comments.
The plan follows Conservation Halton's rebuild of the 1965 Crawford Lake boardwalk, which reopened Sept. 4 with better access to the lake.
