Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada, Management Plan, 2024

On this page

• Foreword
• Recommendations
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Significance of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site, part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage site
• Planning context
• Development of the management plan
• Vision
• Key strategies
• Management Area - Fort Henry National Historic Site
• Summary of strategic environmental assessment

Foreword

As the steward of national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas in Canada, Parks Canada is committed to protecting and restoring the ecological and commemorative integrity of protected heritage areas from coast to coast to coast.

We are committed to work with, learn from, and share leadership with Indigenous peoples and elders who have walked the land since time immemorial and who have made possible the creation of so many protected places.

We acknowledge and appreciate the key role neighbouring communities play in helping Parks Canada to fulfill its mandate, on behalf of Canadians, including many collaborations aimed at protecting ecological integrity and the provision of natural and cultural tourism-related services for visitors to Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada.

We are proud to collaborate with Indigenous partners, local and regional residents and stakeholders, visitors past and present, and with interested people and parties from across the country.

Together, we strive to ensure heritage places in Canada are welcoming and include diverse voices and perspectives. We invite all Canadians to these sites to discover nature and connect with the rich and varied history in Canada.

As the key accountability documents for the management of heritage places, management plans are developed through extensive consultation. These plans articulate long-term visions, set strategic management directions and establish objectives for Parks Canada administered places.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the development of this management plan for their contributions and their commitment to the future of this special place. I am pleased to present the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan.

Recommendations

Recommended by:

Andrew Campbell
Senior Vice-President, Operations Directorate
Parks Canada

Terrie Dionne
Superintendent, Eastern Central Ontario Field Unit
Parks Canada

Executive summary

The Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada in located in Kingston, Ontario, the first capital of the Province of Canada. Situated at the mouth of the Cataraqui River and at the eastern end of Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins, together the fortifications form an extensive 19th century defence system. The Kingston Fortifications are in the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee/Onkwehón:we, Wendat, and Anishinaabe peoples, and are located approximately halfway between Akwesasne and Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nations.

The fortification sites in Kingston encompass five different structures: Fort Henry, Fort Frederick, Cathcart, Shoal and Murney towers. Individual elements of the fortifications have been commemorated as historic sites since the 1920s. The fortifications, as a collective, were designated in 1989. In 2007, the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kingston is a major heritage tourism attraction, with an extensive collection of historic structures of which Fort Henry is a principal heritage attraction. Its popularity is due to its outstanding location as well as many large-scale events hosted annually.

Parks Canada does not actively operate any of the Kingston Fortifications. Visitors are welcomed to Fort Henry National Historic Site, and Murney Tower National Historic Site through partners. Fort Henry National Historic Site is managed through a Memorandum of Agreement between Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Murney Tower has operated as a museum under a Licence of Occupation with the Kingston Historical Society since 1925. These partners are responsible for all facets of visitor experiences, access and interpretation, with Parks Canada supporting initiatives from a cultural resources management perspective. Fort Frederick is administered by the Department of National Defence.

This plan sets out the vision and management direction for these four significant and interconnected national historic sites. This management plan replaces the 2007 Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan and the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan. Since 2007, Park Canada has focused significant investments in asset conservation as well as working closely with partners on connecting Canadians with the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site.

The two key strategies for the ten-year management plan are:

Key strategy 1
Outstanding value on a universal scale

This strategy aims to address the conservation challenges of these historic structures so that they are protected and Canadians can continue to enjoy memorable and authentic experiences at these sites. This strategy will also contribute to protecting the Outstanding Universal Values for which these sites were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Key strategy 2
An active community member bringing partners together

Parks Canada is privileged to work with several partners to protect and enhance the national historic sites it administers in Kingston. Presenting Indigenous connections to the sites in the Kingston area is an important element of this strategy. This strategy focuses on fostering partnerships as they play a pivotal role in the success of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site.

1.0 Introduction

Parks Canada administers one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic places in the world. Parks Canada’s mandate is to protect and present these places for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Future-oriented, strategic management of each national historic site, national park, national marine conservation area and heritage canal administered by Parks Canada supports its vision:

Canada’s treasured natural and historic places will be a living legacy, connecting hearts and minds to a stronger, deeper understanding of the very essence of Canada.

The Parks Canada Agency Act requires Parks Canada to prepare a management plan for national historic sites administered by Parks Canada. The Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan, once approved by the President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, ensures Parks Canada’s accountability to Canadians, outlining how historic site management will achieve measurable results in support of its mandate.

Indigenous peoples are important partners in the stewardship of heritage places, with connections to the lands and waters since time immemorial. The plan sets clear, strategic direction for the management and operation of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site by articulating a vision, key strategies, and objectives. Parks Canada will report annually on progress toward achieving the plan objectives and will review the plan every ten years or sooner if required.

This plan is not an end in and of itself. Parks Canada will maintain an open dialogue on the implementation of the management plan, to ensure that it remains relevant and meaningful. The plan will serve as the focus for ongoing engagement and, where appropriate, consultation, on the management of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site in years to come.

2.0 Significance of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site, part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage site

In this section

• Fort Henry
• Murney Tower
• Shoal Tower
• Cathcart Tower

The Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site is located in Kingston, Ontario, the first capital of the Province of Canada. Situated at the mouth of the Cataraqui River and at the eastern end of Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins, together they form an extensive 19th-century defence system. Individual elements of the fortifications have been commemorated as historic sites since the 1920s. However, the fortifications as a collective were designated in 1989 because of the combined role of all elements in their defence of Kingston Harbour, the southern part of the Rideau Canal, the Naval Dockyards, and the eastern access to Lake Ontario.

In 2007, the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ontario’s first. The UNESCO designation includes the Rideau Canal (lock stations and waterway), and the fortification sites in Kingston, which encompass five different structures: Fort Henry, Fort Frederick, and Cathcart, Shoal, and Murney towers. Distinct among those, Fort Frederick is administered by the Department of National Defence, and is therefore not included in this management plan.

Long recognized as a strategic site, the construction of the fortifications began at the outbreak of the War of 1812 and continued through the 1830s and 1840s, as Kingston evolved into a major commercial, political, naval, and military centre in the colony of Upper Canada. Although the fortifications were never tested in war, the imposing system they collectively create points to the historic and strategic importance of this place that called for such defences.

Several buildings and engineering works that form Kingston Fortifications are designated as Federal Heritage Buildings. In addition to the different layers of designations, the UNESCO World Heritage statement of Outstanding Universal Values recognizes the military purpose of the construction of the Rideau Canal, and the Kingston Fortifications (including Fort Henry), and their link to a significant stage in history, when Britain and the United States were fighting for control of the northern part of North America. The military fortifications built in Kingston also represent the transfer of European military technology to North America:

Fort Henry

Located on Point Henry, a promontory approximately 30 metres above lake level, the fort has a commanding view of the north channel of the St. Lawrence River, the mouth of the Cataraqui River (and south entrance of the Rideau Canal), the Naval Dockyards, and Kingston Harbour. This massive 19th century British fortification was designated as a national historic site in 1923. Fort Henry was considerably more advanced than other major fortifications built in British North America. Citadels built in the 1820s at Halifax and Québec City conformed to the traditional Vauban design of fortification. At Fort Henry, engineers abandoned this approach, adapting newer Prussian thinking to create a fortification that was unique in British North America. The result was a powerful and compact fort, well suited to the topography of Point Henry. The heritage character of the fort resides in features expressing its status as a specialized military structure:

• closed defensive works with flanking defence ditches (each with their own Martello-like tower)
• the mounting of artillery in open battery for lakeward defence
• the musketry and artillery defence of the dry ditches for overland defence
• the accommodation of officers and enlisted men in casemated barracks

Murney Tower

Located west of the harbour on the shoreline in Macdonald Park, Murney Tower is the westernmost element of the Kingston Fortifications. Built in 1846 and commemorated as a national historic site in 1930, distinct from the Kingston Fortifications designation, it is a remarkable example of a Martello tower. Like the other Martello towers, it had been adapted by the British from round tower fortifications found on the European continent. The use of this design was extended to British North America, eventually resulting in the building of fourteen towers in total, five in Halifax, one in Saint John, four in Québec City, and the last being the four in Kingston. This last group of towers all incorporated significant innovative structural and external features to address defensive weaknesses previously associated with this type of fortification. Of the four in Kingston, Murney Tower is the best example of the final phase in this process of evolution. Like traditional Martello towers, it consisted of two floors with a gun platform protected by a high parapet. Surrounded by a deep ditch with dry masonry counterscarp, earth, and rubble glacis, and protected by four caponiers, Murney Tower is regarded as the most sophisticated Martello tower built in British North America.

Shoal Tower

Built in 1847, and designated a national historic site in 1924, Shoal Tower is surrounded by water, adjacent to Confederation Park, the Confederation Basin Marina, and Kingston City Hall. Shoal Tower is also a prominent Martello tower in the city’s landscape and adorns the municipal flag and coat of arms. Not open to the public, it can only be appreciated from a distance. Built some 100 metres offshore, Shoal Tower combined with Market Battery, which once stood in Confederation Park, controlled access to Kingston’s commercial harbour and the Rideau Canal.

Cathcart Tower

Cathcart Tower was the last of the Martello towers completed in British North America. Finished in 1848 at the summit of Cedar Island, a small, but elevated island just east of Fort Henry, Cathcart Tower formed the easternmost part of the Kingston Fortifications and, combined with the batteries of Fort Henry, controlled access to the north channel of the St. Lawrence River. Cathcart Tower, like Murney Tower, has prominent caponiers to provide flanking fire to defend the tower. Due to the narrow rise of land on which it sits, only a shallow dry ditch is carved out of the bedrock as the steep natural slope of the island provides a formidable obstacle. Cedar Island is part of Thousand Islands National Park, and access to the site is by boat only.

The Kingston Fortifications are in the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee/Onkwehón:we, Wendat, and Anishinaabe peoples, and are located approximately halfway between Akwesasne and Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nations.

3.0 Planning context

In this section

• Operational realities (roles/responsibilities)
• Fort Frederick
• Condition and surrounding environment
• Indigenous peoples and Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site
• Partnerships

With a population of approximately 144,000, Kingston is a major heritage tourism attraction, with an extensive collection of historic structures of which Fort Henry is a principal heritage attraction. Its popularity is due to its outstanding location as well as many large-scale events hosted annually.

Located at Confederation Park, adjacent to Shoal Tower, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaques provide information on the Kingston Fortifications along with UNESCO designation signage, which visibly links the different sites together, conveying the broader World Heritage designation of the fortifications as a whole. Interpretive content is a key element of the UNESCO designation and should be enhanced to fulfill the mandate related to the interpretation of this World Heritage site.

Operational realities (roles/responsibilities)

Parks Canada does not actively operate any of the Kingston Fortifications. Visitors are welcomed to Fort Henry National Historic Site and Murney Tower National Historic Site through partners. These partners are responsible for all facets of visitor experience, access, and interpretation, with Parks Canada supporting initiatives from a cultural resource management perspective, and with the capital investment in the maintenance of these places in a tenant/landlord style relationship.

Fort Henry National Historic Site is managed through a Memorandum of Agreement between Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Since 1999, when the property was transferred to Parks Canada from the Department of National Defence, more than $40 million has been invested in conservation work at the fort. Under this management plan, Fort Henry National Historic Site is the subject of an area management approach.

Murney Tower has operated as a museum under a Licence of Occupation with the Kingston Historical Society since 1925. The society opens Murney Tower to the public daily from Victoria Day weekend until Labour Day, offering interpretive programming, and providing visitors with an opportunity to experience and appreciate the role of the Martello towers as part of the fortifications system. The Kingston Historical Society has recently developed after-hours programming with partners and has established a presence on social media in addition to creating interpretive content that introduces Indigenous perspectives to the story of the region.

Shoal and Cathcart towers are non-operational structures, but their exteriors can be viewed and appreciated. Shoal and Carthcart towers will continue to be operated as sites with non-personal interpretation.

Fort Frederick

Located on Point Frederick, the site of the Royal Military College of Canada, the fort is strategically placed at the southern terminus of the peninsula. Fort Frederick is administered by the Department of National Defence. Parks Canada and the Department of National Defence have collaborated on different initiatives such as UNESCO designation and reporting, improved sanitary systems on infrastructure, as well as supporting common interests regarding the commemoration and preservation of the fortifications. Parks Canada will continue to collaborate with the Department of National Defence in these areas of common interests and Parks Canada will continue to offer its expertise/advice in restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, and commemoration.

Condition and surrounding environment

Having had significant investment and conservation work undertaken since the previous management plan, the state of the site assessment conducted in 2018 reports the condition of Cathcart, Shoal, and Murney towers as “good” due to the significant conservation work and ongoing capital investments. Recent projects saw additional improvements to the three towers in the areas of masonry, metal shutters, painting of exterior woodwork, interior finish repairs, assessment of windows and doors, and the introduction of winterizing covers for these openings. An ongoing capital maintenance program is in place to support the preservation of the towers.

Fort Henry was also considered to be in good condition with a number of rehabilitation projects having recently been completed (investments totalling over $20 million in the last ten years). This work was essential for asset preservation and promotes the fort’s integrity and longevity. Still, water infiltration, weather, and current climate conditions continue to damage historic masonry and threaten its condition. The ongoing effects of climate change locally include increased freeze/thaw cycles and increased severe storm activity (wind shear and rain volume), which may pose increased risks to asset condition and sustainability in the future.

The extensive artefacts collection in storage has not been entirely inventoried and evaluated, specifically pieces associated with Cathcart, Shoal and Murney towers, and items recovered from deteriorating cannon at Fort Henry. The collection needs to be evaluated to determine the heritage value of the items and then determine how to appropriately protect them. Through this work, the identification of objects would aid in the development of opportunities for visitor experience, public appreciation, and understanding. Cultural resource evaluation is an important and valuable undertaking for conservation and furthering understanding of the fortifications.

The waterbodies surrounding the Kingston Fortifications, namely the Cataraqui River, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, and Kingston Harbour, are the most significant ecosystem features present. These bodies provide riparian habitat along the shoreline of each of the fortification elements, and the natural features of these places are of great importance to Indigenous peoples. The majority of other landscapes around the fortifications are heavily landscaped and are largely manicured lawns and shrubland.

Finally, the fort’s landscapes were rated in “fair” condition. A 2011 landscape conservation plan recommended the restoration of the landscape to the condition of the 19th century fortification period, that is, pastoral land with limited trees. Restoring the landscape to the fortification period condition would help protect viewscapes to and from the fortifications and would preserve buried archaeological resources.

As the Kingston Fortifications are located in an urban environment, development on nearby properties continue to impact the viewscapes. Parks Canada will continue to work with adjacent owners and the City of Kingston on topics of mutual interest (for example, zoning, climate change adaptation-related measures, highlighting cultural values) and to encourage the showcase of all the cultural values the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site has to offer in the region.

Indigenous peoples and Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site

Parks Canada continues to work and develop relationships with both the formal councils of Akwesasne and Tyendinaga First Nations, as well as the population of Indigenous peoples living in and around Kingston, to better ensure that Indigenous voices are included in commemoration of these historic places. Work at heritage places administered by Parks Canada in the community continues to inspire and encourage ongoing participation, cooperation, and understanding of Indigenous perspectives on the significant landmarks. Widening the range of stories at the national historic site helps visitors reflect on different people’s relationships to the site. Parks Canada will continue to work with Indigenous partners to better understand how they would like to be involved in Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site and how best to collaborate in the future.

Partnerships

Partners play a pivotal role in the success of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site. Over the last decade, Parks Canada has fostered relationships with key partners, such as St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Kingston Historical Society, City of Kingston, the Department of National Defence, the Fort Henry Guard, and Indigenous communities and nations among others. Parks Canada will continue to identify and work with partners on areas of common interests for the site in accordance with broader goals outlined in the Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites System Plan (Parks Canada 2019). As Parks Canada does not actively operate any of the sites of the Kingston Fortifications, connecting partners with each other to provide broader opportunities is one of Parks Canada’s key goals in partnership: to help other organizations see the benefits of the Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites System Plan (Parks Canada 2019), and help deliver key Parks Canada messages to the broader public.

4.0 Development of the management plan

To inform the development of an updated management plan for the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site, Parks Canada has consulted with a broad range of interested partners during the preparation of this management plan. Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, partners, and Canadians were involved in the preparation of the 2024 Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site management plan, helping to shape the future direction of the historic site.

Parks Canada held meetings with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Kingston Historical Society, who operate Kingston Fortification sites. Parks Canada built on existing Indigenous relationships to engage with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and also established a connection with Alderville First Nation through their interest and contributions to the plan.

Indigenous community representatives and members of the public participated in consultation specific to the draft management plan, which was officially launched in August 2023. Parks Canada hosted in person consultation meetings on August 14 and 15, 2023, with Indigenous partners, partners, stakeholders, and the public. In addition to participation from Kingston’s local tourism, culture, government, academic, and community sectors, members of the Fort Henry Guard alumni also attended. Parks Canada was able to engage with over 85 participants across the three meetings. Feedback was gathered during these sessions and participants were encouraged to complete the online comment card or send feedback through email. Online comment card feedback was received from a diverse group of individuals with an interest in the future of the Kingston Fortification National Historic Site.

Responses to the online comment card and feedback provided by email and at the in-person consultation sessions indicated that participants generally supported the proposed vision elements and key strategies identified in the draft management plan. The feedback received showed that many respondents feel strongly about how the Kingston Fortifications should be protected and presented.

Feedback from consultation has informed revisions of this management plan. An overview of the consultation process as well as the highlights from the feedback received can be found in the What We Heard report, available on the Parks Canada website.

Map 1: Regional setting

Map 1: Regional setting - Text version

A road map of southern Ontario, showing the location of Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site. Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site, situated along the Highway 401 corridor midway between Montréal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario), overlooks the shores of Lake Ontario.

This map also shows the main roads in the region, the proximity to Thousand Islands National Park, east of Kingston, and the United States border, south of Kingston.

The map contains a legend at the top left and a 0 to 25 km scale at the bottom right.

Map 2: Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site

Map 2: Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site Map - Text Version

A map showing Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site located in and around the harbour area of Kingston, Ontario. The fortifications are situated at and near the mouth of the Cataraqui River, overlooking the confluence of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

This map is showing three towers:
Murney tower located to the west of Kingston Harbour.
Shoal tower, built on a shoal in Kingston Harbour, is surrounded by water.
Cathcart tower is located on Cedar Island which is part of Thousand Islands National Park.

The map also shows Fort Henry situated on Point Henry between Kingston harbour and a second natural harbour at the mouth of the Cataraqui River. Fort Frederick is also shown on a point of land immediately west of Fort Henry.

The map contains a legend at the top left and a 0 to 500 m scale at the bottom right.

5.0 Vision

The vision presented below expresses the future desired state of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site in 15 to 20 years:

As part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kingston Fortifications and Fort Henry are vital to Kingston’s landscape and identity. Their collective presence around Kingston Harbour, creating an imposing defence complex, speaks to the importance of these historic structures in the first capital of the united provinces of Canada. Recognized as a major landmark in Ontario, and the largest tourism attraction in the Kingston region, the fortifications offer Canadians and visitors enriching and meaningful personal and non-personal heritage experiences.

With the support of partners, visitors experience a wide range of stories connecting each element of the Kingston Fortifications with their role in Canada’s history separately and as a unified network. Visitors appreciate these histories interwoven with Indigenous stories of the land and water and appreciate perspectives related to Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the places before and during colonization. Built on the foundations of respect, truth and communication, the wide range of stories shared through partners and stakeholders, who are vital to success, visitors understand the greater context of the fortifications.

Along with other heritage places administered by Parks Canada in and around Kingston, including historic sites, a national park and an historic canal, the fortifications showcase Parks Canada’s expertise and work in restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, and commemoration.

Presenting incredible viewscapes and open spaces from the promontory on which it was erected, Fort Henry is protected through sound conservation programs and a sustainable maintenance plan based on an inter-agency partnership with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

With improved accessibility and enhanced interpretation, the Martello towers are preserved and protected by federal and municipal land-use planning tools, heritage conservation guidelines and practices. New inclusive programming expands on key themes of Indigenous and colonial history in the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario region, treaties, and Indigenous involvement in Kingston and Upper Canada.

The Kingston Fortifications benefit from strong community support, including that of the Kingston Historical Society, and the Fort Henry Guard (alumni and current members), creating a sense of belonging that contributes to their commemoration and long-term conservation.

6.0 Key strategies

In this section

• Key strategy 1: Outstanding value on a universal scale
• Key strategy 2: An active community member bringing partners together

As a long-term strategic plan, aligned with the Government of Canada’s approach for results-based planning, the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site management plan focuses on the results that Parks Canada plans to achieve at the sites within the next ten years. The intent of the management plan is to provide decision makers, Indigenous and other partners, stakeholders, and the public with the priorities that will guide actions and decision making at the site.

The components of results-based planning work together as follows:

• key Strategies — present major themes, and introduce broad management approaches working toward achieving the vision as presented
• objectives — present management priorities and identify desired results
• targets — measure success in achieving objectives over the implementation period

The management directions identified in this section take into account available resources and existing capacity for the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site. Some undertakings may require additional support/resources and rely on opportunities to partner with external collaborators. Where no specific timelines are given, all targets are meant to be achieved within the ten-year life of this plan.

The objectives and results presented below are consistent with the current responsibilities of Parks Canada at the sites: capital investments and cultural resource management. The delivery of visitor experience including programming, public safety, special events, and operational maintenance, is under the responsibility of partners such as the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Kingston Historical Society.

The following two key strategies frame the management direction for Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site.

Key strategy 1
Outstanding value on a universal scale

Since UNESCO declared the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site as part of the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site in 2007, the profile of these historic places has increased, along with public and community partner expectations. Protecting a massive asset such as Fort Henry and maintaining uniquely sophisticated Martello towers constitutes an important responsibility that requires expertise and funding. This strategy aims to address the conservation challenges of these historic structures so that they are protected and Canadians can continue to enjoy memorable and authentic experiences at these sites. This strategy will also contribute to protection of the Outstanding Universal Values for which these sites are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Parks Canada seeks opportunities to meet universal access standards^{Footnote 1} in conjunction with partners (for example, development of virtual experiences). The fortifications form a unique and memorable ensemble of a defence complex, each site has unique characteristics, and the landscapes are part of the broader identity of the Kingston community. Preservation of the visual integrity as individual elements, but also as a collective group of fortifications, is important in an urban environment.

Objective 1.1

Long-term sustainability of the UNESCO World Heritage site is prioritized through a sound conservation plan.

Targets

• By 2027, built assets are assessed to be in fair to good condition
• Artefact conditions remain stable in the next state of site assessment
• By 2025, more of the Kingston Fortifications’ collection has been identified and evaluated compared to 2018

Objective 1.2

The fortifications’ landscapes are preserved.

Targets

• By 2027, partners are consulted to prioritize and plan landscape and landscape feature improvements
• Species at risk continue to be monitored and identified at the site through project-level impact assessments
• Annual meetings occur with municipal partners related to the national historic sites (for example, planning and surrounding development) and how the community is engaged with them

Key strategy 2
An active community member bringing partners together

Parks Canada is privileged to work with several partners to protect and enhance the national historic sites it administers in Kingston. Presenting Indigenous connections to the sites in the Kingston area is an important element of this strategy. Parks Canada will encourage partners to work and create space for those connections and support the broadening of the stories beyond the ones told at those sites. Through collaborative work with partners, the Framework for History and Commemoration: National Historic Sites System Plan (Parks Canada 2019) is central to interpretation and enhances public understanding of the fortifications and their reasons for designation. Relationships with Indigenous partners are essential to expanding the stories told at the Kingston Fortifications. Only through partnership can a fuller history be shared.

Multiple jurisdictions share responsibilities over the fortifications, and this requires a global long-term approach for operational and site sustainability. Therefore, this strategy focuses as well on fostering regular dialogue, setting a framework for clear expectations between the parties and providing a framework for collaboration at the sites.

This strategy also pursues ways for Parks Canada to fulfill its mandate related to raising awareness and presenting these sites’ universal values so more Canadians and visitors can appreciate the strategic importance and interconnectivity of each element of the fortifications. Connecting the experiences at each site together will contribute to telling the story of this defence complex. Through this strategy, importance is also given to strengthening relationships with partners to work collaboratively on matters related to the UNESCO designation; partners together can showcase expertise in restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, and commemoration.

Objective 2.1

Indigenous connections to the sites are supported in collaboration with partners.

Target

• By 2026, a dialogue is initiated with local Indigenous partners through respectful, mutually beneficial engagement efforts

Objective 2.2

Parks Canada and partners work collaboratively on initiatives toward engaging visitors in experiences designed to highlight the importance of the fortifications as a whole.

Targets

• The UNESCO designation is incorporated into branding for activities specific to the Kingston Fortifications whether delivered by Parks Canada, the municipality, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, or the Kingston Historical Society
• Through partnering, Murney Tower continues to function as a museum and facilitates public access
• New initiatives are explored to enhance experiences such as non-personal connection (virtual initiatives) at Murney and Shoal towers

Objective 2.3

Partners have a shared understanding of the priorities and responsibilities for the sites’ operation and maintenance.

Targets

• By 2028, agreement(s) for how to work together on common initiatives in the community is (are) established
• Opportunities to, and the feasibility of, better connecting the Kingston Fortifications as a whole (for example, lighting, interactive maps) are explored
• Collaboration with the City of Kingston continues to engage the municipality on issues directly related to the heritage value of the Kingston Fortifications and preservation efforts

7.0 Management area—Fort Henry National Historic Site

In support of the management plan’s two key strategies, this section presents detailed objective and targets that are specific to Fort Henry National Historic Site.

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission is responsible for the delivery of the visitor experience including programming, promotion, public safety, special events, and operational maintenance of the fort, while Parks Canada, as the administrator, is responsible for capital investments and cultural resource management. Operation of the fort by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission is provided through a Memorandum of Agreement, last updated in 2010. This agreement defines requirements for regular maintenance by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and for Parks Canada–led capital projects but specifics regarding financial commitments by either party are outdated. Capital investments and regular maintenance are both essential responsibilities and crucial to ensure long-term conservation of the cultural resources.

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors to the fort annually. From Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day, the Commission offers daily programming that may include guided tours, cannon firing, garrison parade, children’s military muster parades and Victorian school lessons, and weapons and military training demonstrations, as well as other special events. Overall, visitation to the fort’s core daily offer has increased by 19 percent since 2016. In addition, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission also hosts annual large-scale events and programs such as Cannonball Crush, Sunset Ceremonies, Fort Henry Tattoo, Pumpkinferno, and Fort Fright, which attract visitors from across Canada and around the world.

Objective

Fort Henry National Historic Site continues to welcome visitors in an authentic setting.

Targets

• Parks Canada and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission continue to work together and identify common priorities to guide programming initiatives annually
• Regular maintenance of cultural resources continues to be undertaken cooperatively at the fort as identified in agreements

8.0 Summary of strategic environmental assessment

The purpose of a strategic environmental assessment is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals, to support environmentally sound decision making.

Many positive effects are expected to occur resulting from the implementation of the management plan, including presenting Indigenous connections to the sites, improving visitor access to and interpretation of the site, identifying and evaluating additional archaeological resources at the site, and restoring and preserving the fortifications’ landscapes. The most significant positive effect will be to ensure the protection of these historic structures, so that Canadians can continue to enjoy memorable and authentic experiences at these sites. A potential negative effect is the loss of natural habitat on site and any corresponding concern from visitors, residents and stakeholders. Any potential negative environmental effects from increased visitation can be mitigated through the use of existing policies and instruments. Project-level impact assessment will be able to mitigate any potential adverse impacts from individual projects resulting from this plan. Operations at the site are required to mitigate impacts on climate according to Greening Government requirements in support of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the public were consulted on the draft management plan, including a summary of the strategic environmental assessment. Feedback provided was considered in the strategic environmental assessment and incorporated into the final management plan as appropriate.

If the appropriate mitigation measures are applied, there are no important adverse environmental effects anticipated from the implementation of the management plan. The overall environmental effect of the objectives and targets of the plan are expected to be positive.