Characteristics of the Baby Point Peninsula

  • 117 metres above sea level
  • The Baby Point peninsula is a 30 metre high promontory on the east bank of the Humber River, overlooking what is called an ‘oxbow’ in the river. The Humber is a designated Canadian Heritage River.
  • The peninsula is composed of layers of shale, limestone and sandstone with a layer of sand at the top. Initially part of the early sea bed, brachiopod and other fossils can be found. The peninsula has been part of the Carrying Place Trail/Pathway, the site of at least one First Nations village (Teiaiaigon), and a French trading Fort. It has been designated an Ontario Archaeological Heritage Site because of First Nations artifacts discovered here.
  • At the time of the last Ice Age, it was a sunken island in Lake Iroquois near the river delta, the source of the massive surface sand deposit. According to the Canadian Geological Survey publications, these are knows as the Lambton and Parkdale sands.
  • This deep sandy surface with underlying springs is what enabled the growth of the Black Oak Savannah approximately 5000-8000 years ago.
  • The plant life of the Point characteristically has deep tap roots, a liking for open spaces and well-drained soil.
  • Trees native to the Point include Oak – Black, Red and White – and Black Walnut and Beech. Many of the stately Elms fell victim to Dutch Elm Disease.
  • Many of the trees found on the Point today are remnant boreal forest. One of these is a 250 year-old Black Oak, a Heritage Tree of Provincial Significance designated by the Ontario Urban Forestry Council
  • The northern ravine forest borders wetlands which have been designated as the Magwood Sanctuary by York Township.