Multiple major milestones toward the creation of the Ojibway National Urban Park have been passed.
As of Friday, the Ojibway Shores land has been transferred in its entirety from Transport Canada to Parks Canada to be included in the park.
“Today we protect Ojibway Shores forever and take a giant historic step towards an Ojibway National Urban Park – it is a day that unites our community, and a day we have fought for decades to bring about. As we preserve the last piece of undeveloped shoreline on the Detroit River in our area and formally complete the first phase of the Parks Canada process, we see Ojibway National Urban Park becoming reality,” said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk.
The Province of Ontario also agreed to transfer 64 hectares known as the Ojibway Prairie lands.
"Ontario is working to expand protected and conserved natural areas in the province, providing more opportunities for the public to get out and enjoy nature, which is especially important in more urbanized communities like Windsor. Ontario is proud to collaborate with our conservation partners on the future of public spaces in Ontario to ensure more park access for all while strengthening the protection and health of wildlife and the environment,” said Minister David Piccini, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
All of the stewardship and management of the lands will be done in collaboration with the Caldwell and the Walpole Island First Nations.
The pre-feasibility phase of the project is now officially complete. Parks Canada will now embark on the planning stage.
It's expected the park will be operational by 2025.