CONSERVATION AREAS

HEBER DOWN

CLIMB THE ANCIENT GEOLOGY OF THE LAKE IROQUOIS SHORELINE

Notice

Black kite with red do not enter symbol over top of it.

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) staff and volunteers have been inspecting trails and collecting kites and kite string in the Heber Down Conservation Area, remnants left from the results kite fighting ‘events’.

Kite fighting is an activity where two or more participants fly kites with the aim of cutting an opponent’s kite string; the ‘losing’ kite and string drifts away, uncontrolled, descending on trails, trees, and land. The string used for kite fighting can be abrasive or chemically treated to enhance the ability to cut the opponent’s string. The abandoned string is hazardous because it drifts until it becomes lodged in tree branches or other vegetation, is difficult to see, and can cut people, pets, and wildlife that become entangled in it. As a result, kite fighting is not permitted at ANY of CLOCA’s Conservation Areas. Visitors who disregard and/or participate in kite fighting at CLOCA Conservation Areas may be subject to fines.

If you observe kite fighting activity or abandoned string at Heber Down or any of our other Conservation Areas, please contact CLOCA at 905-579-0411 or by email at info@cloca.com or fill out our 'Report a Concern' form.

Main Entrance

5000 COCHRANE ST
WHITBY

South Entrance

500 LYNDEBROOK RD
WHITBY

Seasonal (May-Oct)

Trail Map

Parking Pass

Back2Nature Kit

Leashed pets are welcome on all trails. Off-leash use is only permitted in fenced, off-leash dog pen (main entrance).

Please remember to stoop and scoop.

The Heber Down Conservation Area (284 hectares) offers a variety of activities for the recreation-minded. Fishing, nature walks, pond exploration on floating docks and picnicking are all popular activities with our visitors. More importantly, Heber Down Conservation Area preserves a portion of the significant Iroquois Beach physiographic unit and is home to a variety of wildlife and plants not common in Durham Region.

The natural valley of the Lynde Creek bisects a portion of this Conservation Area and provides many scenic vistas for those enjoying the more than 5 km of trails that run through this property. An accessible trail can be found at the main entrance in the shape of a maple leaf.

Springs and seeps within the provincially significant Heber Down Wetland Complex provide important groundwater recharge to this branch of the Lynde Creek Watershed. This wetland complex also provides specialized habitat for many wildlife species that depend on large, treed wetland areas in order to carry out their breeding and feeding activities.

Have your cameras and phones ready for photos and videos as you never know what you might see.

AVENZA MAPS

A free, downloadable map is available for this conservation area through the Avenza Maps app. Once downloaded, this map can be used offline and will track your location within Heber Down Conservation Area using your device's GPS. Offline location helps you stay on track, on the trail, and out of restricted areas.

Download the free Avenza Maps App onto your device from The App Store or Google Play. Allow your location to be known, create an account, and search "Heber Down". To find all available Central Lake Ontario Conservation Maps, search "CLOCA".

Download the maps you need so they are available offline anytime and you can stay safe and aware, even in the remotest of places.