Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area Management Plan

Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area Management Plan - Public Online Survey

HCA is seeking your household’s input on experiences, perspectives, and use of Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area to help inform the Management Plan.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, depending on your responses. All answers are confidential and will be reported in summary form only.

Please complete the survey by June 12, 2026.

Questions or concerns? Contact Project Manager Madolyn Armstrong at marmstro@conservationhamilton.ca or 905-525-2181 ext. 118.

Thank you for participating.

Are you an HCA membership pass holder?

* required

Yes

Have you visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area and how often?

* required

I have not visited

I am planning to visit

One time

A few times per year

Monthly

Weekly

Multiple times per week

When you visit Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area who do you typically visit with? (Check all that apply)

* required

Alone

Friends

Partner

Family/children

Dog(s)

Organized group

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

What age groups would be included in your groups when you visit Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? (Check all that apply)

* required

0-9 years

10-19 years

20-39 years

40-59 years

60 to 75 years

75+ years

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

Where are you travelling from?

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How do you arrive to Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area?

* required

Car

Bicycle

By foot

Public transit

Passing through on an existing City trail

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

If you drive, where do you typically park?

Nearby public parking

Private parking lot

On-street parking

I do not drive

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

Other informal locations (Please specify.)

If you have visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area, where do you typically enter the trail?

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How much time do you spend visiting Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? If you have not visited, how much time do you think you would spend?

* required

Up to 30 minutes

30 minutes to one hour

One to two hours

More than two hours

10.

What time of the year would you be more likely to visit Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? (Check all that apply)

* required

Winter (December-February)

Spring (March-May)

Summer (June-August)

Fall (September-November)

11.

Why do you visit Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? (Select all that apply)

* required

Walking/hiking

Running

Bicycling

Fishing

Dog walking

Nature appreciation

Photography

Commuting

Wildlife observation

Relax and unwind

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

Other (please specify)

12.

Do you typically visit Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area and Canal Park during the same trip??

* required

Yes, often

Sometimes

Rarely

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

13.

Which aspects of the area are most important to your experience at Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? (Choose up to 3)

* required

Natural environment

Creek

Quiet/passive character

Trail connectivity

Exercise/recreation

Wildlife/nature observation

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

Other (please specify)

14.

Before this survey, were you aware of any of the following environmental features at Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area? (Check all that apply)

* required

Fish habitat/spawning areas

Turtle nesting areas

Sensitive vegetation/habitat

None/not aware

15.

How important do you feel environmental protection is in this area?

* required

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not a priority

16.

Have you experienced challenges with any of the following when visiting Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area?

* required

Limited parking

Trail conditions

Wayfinding/signage

Access to creek views

Safety concerns

User conflicts

Accessibility issues/steep grades

None

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

17.

Please describe any concerns or barriers you have experienced or observed at Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area.

Maximum 20,000 characters

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18.

How would you rate Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area trail connectivity to surrounding networks (McMaster University, Canal Park, City trails, Cootes Paradise)?

* required

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

19.

Are there locations where crossings or connections feel unsafe or unclear at Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area?

Yes

Not applicable / I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

20.

Which improvements would most enhance your experience at Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area?

* required

Improved parking

Better signage/wayfinding

Trail upgrades

Access point improvements

Habitat/environmental protection

Improved maintenance

Connectivity enhancements

I have not visited Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area

Other (please specify)

21.

How did you hear about Lower Spencer Creek Conservation Area?

* required

I live in the area

Word of mouth

HCA website

Social media

Other (please specify)

22.

Thank you for completing the survey. If you have any additional comments, please provide them below.

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000