ecological

The Martindale Marsh is important to the watershed and has been designated a Class 1 Wetland. The bustling marsh brings an element of diversity to a rather flat and dry portion of the city. The area attracts a variety of species that would be other otherwise uncommon to the St. Catharines portion of the Niagara Region. It serves as a spawning habitat for numerous species of fish, small mammals and birds including white water-lily, dogwood species, wild grapes, northern pike, yellow perch, sunfish, largemouth bass, and gizzard shad, mallards, red-winged blackbird, muskrat, american bittern, mink, and painted turtles.

Historical

The area has a unique history as it originally served as a part of the first three Welland Canals and was home to Natives in the 1600s. Later this area was invaded by the Mississauga Natives who eventually sold the land to the Canadian government.

Martindale Pond was a result of the dam construction for the Welland Canal. Also, with the development of the third Welland Canal, a new channel became the cause for the construction of the Henley Rowing Course.

Recreational

Today the Green Ribbon Trail, which is dedicated to missing children, runs throughout the marsh area and is ideally suited for year round activities such as fishing, ice skating, jogging and canoeing. Stations found along the path indicate particular aspects of the wetland and include information about plants, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.