Green Infrastructure at Risk
While picturesque, the Millcroft Golf Course is merely a facade for an expertly designed stormwater management system.
The Millcroft Golf Course, with each fairway surrounded by homes in this mature master-planned community, was conceived in 1986. The golf course community was originally engineered by high profile firms. Integrated creeks and naturalized ponds are in a pattern that follows the natural drainage from the nearby escarpment, as a buffer before it continues toward Lake Ontario. Three of the City’s creeks pass through this greenspace.
The fairways are designed to be 2.5 metres below the rear lot lines of the neighbouring homes, which have now experienced decades of growth of tree coverage and vegetation to slow the flow through the channels. This design also benefits properties in South Burlington. The importance of this green infrastructure was significant such that an Official Plan amendment was created on the approval of the subdivision which stated, “It is also the intent of the Plan that, should the operation of the golf course discontinue, these lands will remain as permanent open space, since portions of these lands contain creek features which are part of the storm water management for the Community.” The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the subdivision with this condition.