We, the undersigned, stand against the proposed zone change that will raze the forested area beside Bolender Park in Elmira, to build a parking lot for transport trucks.

There is currently a motion being put before Woolwich Council to create a massive gravel parking lot for semi-trucks and and trailers; a move that will require the destruction of acres of forested land that contains hundreds of trees, with the endangered and legally protected Butternut Tree being near the border of the clear-cut. This stretch of forest is not only a valuable green area, it provides a necessary barrier between industrial lands and Bolender Park, as well as a residential area.

Razing these woods and turning it into a giant gravel parking lot will not only inflict an unforgivable eyesore on what is currently the crown jewel for Elmira family outings, ruining the heavy investment that the town has already put into developing the park, but will further tarnish the experience of traveling the Kissing Bridge Trail, and subject any and all visitors and residents of the area to the dust, noise, and smell of transport trucks beside these properties. In an era where the value of urban greenspace is becoming increasingly apparent, unnecessarily depleting it further is a mistake that cannot be corrected once made. 

All of this is without touching on the already contentious issue of traffic, potentially encouraging even more of a presence of transport trucks in the area of Arthur & Church. Elmira struggles with traffic volume, and this area in particular has been the site of several serious (and sometimes fatal) accidents in recent years. To say nothing of the increasing hazard to the Mennonite community, who were key in building this region up, and deserve some consideration in their attempt to maintain their way of life.

For a town that seeks to reassert its draw in tourism and provide a stable, healthy, and attractive home for families (with beautification being a top priority for the Elmira BIA), the Council is on the verge of making a perplexing choice: this has no benefit for the residents, and only profits the undisclosed owner of the land (represented by a holding company). There are many parcels of land around the town which are already designated as industrial spaces, it is unnecessary to ruin the appeal of Bolender Park, reduce the draw to the town (impacting downtown businesses), diminish the experience of the Kissing Bridge Trail, potentially increase the danger to people, and devalue the homes of residents simply for parking space of questionable need.

 

Please sign our petition to let Woolwich Council know, in no uncertain terms, that this is not a decision that the public approves of.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION & REFERENCES

The Proposal https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/ongoing-planning-items.aspx
(Go to the bar that reads Zoning and/or Official Plan Amendments, then select 39A Holdings Ltd. - 39 Arthur St North, Elmira)

Tree Inventory
https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/resources/Ongoing-Planning-Items/39A-Holdings-Ltd-ZC-and-OPA-2022/Tree-Protection-Plan---NSRI-January-2022.pdf

(Section 3.1: One Butternut tree (Juglans cinerea) was observed within the subject property.  This species is listed as Endangered (MNRF 2017) under the provincial Endangered Species Act (ESA, 2007).  Under the ESA it is an offence to kill, harm, or take a live Butternut tree that is not exempt from protection.)

 

Beautification Tops Priority for Township
https://observerxtra.com/2022/02/03/beautification-tops-priorities-for-both-township-bias/

 

Bolender Park was intended to be a draw for Elmira
https://observerxtra.com/2016/08/11/bolender-park-tapped-location-elmira-splash-pad/

Woolwich Mayor & Town Council
https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/Mayor-and-Council.aspx

If you wish to express your opinion directly to the Mayor and the Town Council (Ward 1 being prime responsibility here, but this impacts the entire town indirectly), their contact information can be found here. Please remain respectful and polite in dealing with the Council. We want to foster a positive image. Thank you.