General Information

In 1779 Peter Lampman, a United Empire Loyalist, fled New York state with his family. He received a 650 hectare grant of land that later became Woodend Conservation Area.  

Canadian poet Archibald Lampman was Peter's grandson, and among his many famous poems, he wrote about his grandfathers farm. The farm and house, built in the early 1800s and later renovated in 1931, is now known as the Woodend Environmental Centre, an outdoor education centre for students of the District School Board of Niagara.

This 45 hectare Conservation Area is a unique section of escarpment with cliffs on either side of the point.  There are spectacular views to the vineyards and orchards way below, spreading northward towards Lake Ontario.  The Bruce Trail and the Laura Secord Legacy Trail both pass through Woodend.  Two self-guided trails take visitors on either side of the escarpment edge and through broad-leaf hardwood species such as sugar maple, beech, and red oak forest communities that are representative of Niagara's Carolinian forest environments.  If you are lucky you might even find a Pawpaw tree! 

The park is popular with birdwatchers and hikers and is close enough to downtown St. Catharines to be easily accessible. Both the Hardwood Trail and the Silurian Adventure Trail are no longer than a kilometer and a half, the ideal for  most hikers. The Wetland Ridge side trail also enters the park, running along the base of the escarpment.

During the War of 1812 the conservation area is said to have been an important observation point, being at the top of the escarpment. It is said that a three gun battery was set up on the hill top to ward off enemy troops and act as a warning system for occupying forces.