The Promise Rock Nature Area is an area with very mature pine trees, a heritage feature, and a very special rock!
Maps
A) Satellite Imagery
1. Created in ArcGIS Pro (click to view full size). The red outline in the centre of the image (west of the Greenway Trail) delineates the nature area boundary. The north end of the Wetland Complex Nature Area can be seen in the image, on the east side of the Greenway Trail. The high density of conifers is evident in this winter image.
2. Via Google Maps (shows latest satellite image available via Google Maps; will not show boundary).
Location and Use
The Promise Rock Nature Area is located between the Rotary Greenway Trail (to the east) and Nassau Mills Road (to the west) , just north of Trent Canal Lock 22.
Trails, Access, and Points of Interest
The Promise Rock Nature Area has a short trail running through it, with access at the north end off of the Rotary Greenway Trail, and at the south end off an east-west trail that connects the Rotary Greenway Trail with Nassau Mills Road and Trent Canal Lock 22. There is a sitting bench on the upland portion in the middle of the pine forest, overlooking Promise Rock.
Physical Description
This Nature Area has two levels to it. The upland portion, the east side of the area (beside the Rotary Greenway Trail) is a low sand and gravel ridge, well drained. West of the ridge (close to Nassau Mills Road) is a flat area lowland, including a narrow patchy wetland.
Ecosystems and Species
The dominant ecosystem in the Promise Rock Nature Area is a mature coniferous woods, dominated by White Cedar and White Pine. Some of the Pines are very old, unusual for the region, and the only place found on campus.
Environmental Concerns
Preservation of the heritage feature is a concern, as debris from the old buildings has been lost from the site over time.
Poison Ivy grows along the Rotary Greenway Trail and in more exposed areas in and around this Nature Area.
Nature Area History
Promise Rock was the site of a Boy Scout camp built in the 1940s. A large rock situated in the heart of the coniferous woods has been designated "Promise Rock" and through the 1990s was still used as a pledging site by local boy scouts. Two buildings belonging to the boy scouts were located at the south end of the woods, and they were demolished were Trent University obtained the land. Theer are debris still present on site from the old buildings.
More Updates to Come!
We are working on posting maps and physical descriptions of the Nature Areas to the website. Please check back to view our progress!