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Located on the Niagara Escarpment in Caledon, on the south side of Olde Base Line Road, between Chinguacousy and Creditview Roads, the Cheltenham Badlands, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and managed by theBruce Trail Conservancy, have been visited by thousands of visitors. They are one of Caledon’s most visited sites as its natural beauty has captured the attention of many. Word has traveled fast in the past 10-15 years on Google and the net and as more visits occur the more damage the Badlands have acquired. Signs were placed to protect the badlands as visitors are warned to stay on the flat area at the top (photo of sign below). Anyone that has visited this site, myself included, has enjoyed walking through the badlands not necessarily knowing the damage being caused.

On any given day, during the spring, summer or fall months, cars can be seen parked along side the road, right beside the NO PARKING signs, to get a glimpse of natures beautiful creation, causing congestion to the road and danger to themselves and oncoming vehicles as the rolling hills of the road make it hard to see the parked cars and crossing pedestrians. Signs have been placed changing the speed limit to 40 km in the area, but having been there myself not many slow down.

The Ontario Heritage Trust was going to move forward with a plan to build a 33 space parking lot to manage congestion on the road and address safety issues however the concern by nearby residence of the damage caused to the Badlands led to closure of the Badlands until a further plan can be put in place. A fence will be erected at the end of May 2015 along Old Base Line Road which will block access to the Badlands. Access will only be available to hikers on The Bruce Trail. As this may take several years this beautiful treasure will be closed to visitors to protect it.

For more information on the closure of the Badlands visit the article written in the Caledon Enterprise.

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