This is the web page for the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area.
The Bayfield River Flats is a property of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC) and the HTLTC permanently protects it.
Volunteers from the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) manage the property at no cost to the public.
During the autumn of 2015, almost a quarter of the population of the Village of Bayfield donated to a fundraising campaign to purchase the 4.75-acre plot of land on the river, to the immediate southeast of the bridge, known as the Bayfield River Flats.
Community-minded people donated from all over North America, including families who cherish this small village and who recognized that this might be the last opportunity to ensure that the public would always have access to the river. The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is now owned and protected in perpetuity by the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, working with the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association.
During Bayfield’s early years – until 1900 – this tranquil woodland setting was the site of Thomson’s Mill. Until the saw and gristmill were fully operational in the 1840s, area pioneers had to hand-saw their lumber and carry their grain on their backs on deer paths to Goderich for milling. The ruins of the mill and the old dam, which was also the first bridge across the Bayfield River, are still visible.
Anglers from all over Southwestern Ontario and beyond come to the Bayfield River to test their skills. The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is especially popular because of the extensive restocking program at the upstream hatchery and because it is an important spawning area. The property features a small hiking trail, canoe launch, picnic areas and wide access to the river for fishing enthusiasts.
In 2024, the Bayfield River Flats Pedestrian Walkway was completed. This walkway safely connects the community of Bayfield to the property, with a trail passing below the Highway 21 bridge. The connecting walkway was supported by the community through a successful fundraising initiative. The Bayfield River Flats property is an excellent example of what an engaged and mobilized community is capable of completing.
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association led a fundraising campaign, in 2017, to purchase the Bayfield River Flats site. Community support was overwhelming, with donations of more than $70,000 to buy the property. The trail association manages the property and donated it to the land trust so the property will be preserved permanently.
This is also the web page for the 2023-2024 successful community fundraising initiative for a new pedestrian walkway which will has made it possible for people to go from Bayfield to the nature area without driving … and without having to walk across the highway.
Thanks to your generosity, more than $70,000 was raised in 2023-2024 to make it possible to construct the walkway in spring of 2024.
Learn more about the project from these articles:
- Ceremony marks opening of new walkway to Bayfield River Flats Natural Area
- Construction of pedestrian walkway to Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is to begin soon
- Your donation can help connect community and nature with new pedestrian walkway at Bayfield River Flats
- Fundraising evening on December 13 supports planned pedestrian walkway at Bayfield River Flats
- Project partners to acknowledge donors to Bayfield River Flats pedestrian walkway
- B. M. Ross and Associates Limited donates $5,000 and services to new pedestrian walkway
- New pedestrian walkway to Bayfield River Flats Natural Area would be walkway to local history
Learn more on the trail association and land trust websites:
Bayfield River Valley Trail Association
Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy