A local member of the Ontario Legislature has asked the provincial government to move forward with creating a national urban park in west Windsor.
Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky tabled a motion at Queens Park Wednesday, asking the Ontario government to transfer its oversight of Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, to Parks Canada, so the area can receive the federal distinction of a national urban park.
"I am excited and honoured to have tabled this private member’s motion building on the work MP Brian Masse and so many in our community have already done," said Gretzky in a media release. "This is an important environmental project for our community, transferring the land to Parks Canada will help ensure the protection of local endangered species and natural heritage areas, aid flood mitigation efforts, create publicly accessible green space and encourage eco-tourism in the Windsor-Essex region. It’s time the provincial government recognizes that and aid efforts to create Ojibway National Urban Park."
The motion is a show of support for Masse's work in Ottawa to bring the urban park distinction to the area. It has the support of Windsor City Council, as well as Caldwell First Nation and a variety of environmental and community groups.
If passed, the national urban park will include the area currently occupied by Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, Spring Garden Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, the Tallgrass Prairie Park and Ojibway Shores. The latter represents the last remaining undeveloped shoreline along the Detroit River.
Parliament must pass legislation before Parks Canada can receive oversight of the nature reserve. Bill C-248, which would create the urban park, has passed second reading and has been referred to committee.
Gretzky will join Masse for a public meeting Thursday night to discuss the process. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex on Pulford Street in Windsor.
