Sho’aríshon (So-ah-ree-son) Park is located at 3039 King St, Jordan, in Ward 3. The park currently features a gravel parking lot and 1.19 acres of greenspace. It is used as a passive space and as a trail access point to the Twenty Valley Trail and Bruce Trail. This site has an important and rich cultural history related to Indigenous inhabitation of the land, and in particular to an Iroquoian-speaking confederation of tribes known as the Neutral Nation who lived in the vicinity around 1600.

In partnership with a group of Indigenous advisors and environmental stakeholders as well as design consultants, the Town is leading the development of a park enhancement plan for the site which is currently in the detailed design stage.

Existing Conditions

Sho’aríshon (So-ah-ree-son) Park will undergo redevelopment with the goals of:

• Creating a welcoming and inclusive space;
• Acknowledging and celebrating Indigenous connections to the land, in particular that of the Neutral Nation;
• Supporting ecological health; and
• Becoming a distinct feature within the Town of Lincoln’s ‘Cultural Corridor'.

The Town is committed to Reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. Developing this this park so that it recognizes the history and culture of Indigenous peoples, as well as their connection to the land, is part of the Town of Lincoln's strategy to increase inclusion and access for all residents and contribute to the process of Reconciliation.

Funding for the Park was approved by Town of Lincoln Council in December 2019. Since 2020, Town of Lincoln Staff and project partners have submitted funding applications to regional, provincial, and national agencies to increase the project budget.

The Town of Lincoln has secured funding for this project from a number of sources including the Government of Canada, Niagara Region, Greenbelt Foundation, and Niagara Community Foundation. External funding represents 84% of the total project budget.

Construction began on the Niagara Region's Twenty Mile Creek Arch Bridge Replacement Project in January of 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Construction includes widening both sides of the existing roadway, adding a multi-use trail on the north side of the bridge and improving the pathway under the bridge. Please note that the traffic over the bridge will be reduced to one lane for the duration of construction. Traffic will be controlled by signals, but delays are expected. Detours will be posted in advance for any full road closures that are needed during the project. Pedestrian access cannot be maintained during construction.

Regional Staff presented a project update to the Town of Lincoln Council at the February 10th, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting.

In partnership with the Town of Lincoln, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Ontario Heritage Trust will be improving and expanding the Twenty Valley Trail that connects Sho’aríshon (So-ah-ree-son) Park to the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, Ball's Fall's, the Ellis Property and the Bruce Trail. Construction began November 2024 and will be completed June 2025. More information can be found on Ontario Heritage Trust's website.