Re: Proposed transfer of…

Re: Proposed transfer of portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the Town of Wasaga Beach

I am making this submission as a long-time resident of Wasaga Beach and wish to express my concerns and strong objection to the proposal identified in ERO # 025-0694. This pertains to the transfer of park lands in Beach Area 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood to the Town of Wasaga Beach.

There are many reasons for this objection including the risk to the protection of significant vegetation, fragile sand dunes and the habitat of the endangered species Piping Plover. However, my concerns go far beyond losing the guaranteed protection that these areas currently receive as a part of the Provincial Park.

These areas are public land that should not be given away especially in light of the fact that there has been absolutely no public consultation and there are no concrete plans – other than the broad terms of tourism enhancement and economic development. This is not sufficient justification nor are the promises made by the current municipal Mayor to keep the beach public. What are the safeguards to ensure that land once transferred isn’t sold for development? The comments that this is what the community wants are unsubstantiated and there has been no polling conducted to support this assertion.

The recent spin by Town officials that this transfer is only 3% of the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park lands is simply a smoke screen to confuse the public. In fact, this transfer would represent over 60% of the beachfront and 100% of the critical habitat of the endangered Piping Plover. It also includes over 1100 vehicle parking spaces in Beach Area 1 and 2 alone. The Town has indicated that these parking areas are prime areas for development. Where do they expect the 2 million visitors each year to park and access these popular beach areas? Most people can’t afford a cottage or to live on a lake, so providing a public beach for the ever-growing population of southern Ontario should be a priority. We all need affordable, safe areas to recreate for both our mental and physical well being. Valuable provincial park lands should be expanded not given away.

The Provincial government should be appalled at the mayor’s reference of the provincial park as a “failed experiment”. There is no acknowledgement to the fact that it was at the request of the Village and then later the Town of Wasaga Beach that the province began operating the park in 1959. Over the decades the provincial government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Wasaga Beach through park development, washrooms, water and sewer, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Park staff have worked tirelessly year after year to successfully provide millions of visitors with a safe and memorable experience at Wasaga Beach while also upholding the ecological integrity of the park lands.

The Destination Wasaga tourism strategy and promotional information make reference to the desire to make Wasaga Beach a year-round destination. There is no acknowledgement of the effects of climate change and the dramatic shortening of the winter season that it is causing. Wasaga Beach is no longer the “Snowmobile Capital of Ontario” and with current winters the 30 km of excellent cross country ski trails can barely operate 2 months. Our 14 km beachfront is a wonderful place to visit about 6 months of the year, not year-round. What are the province and Town willing to invest in infrastructure to attract visitors to Wasaga Beach year-round? The massive investments that would be required are not something that I am willing to support as both a Wasaga Beach and Ontario taxpayer.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has the mandate to provide ecological integrity and recreational opportunities and should continue to be the stewards of our precious resources. The provincial government needs to provide better financial and staff resources to properly manage the existing park lands rather than giving them away to an unknown future.

I strongly urge the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks not to proceed with transferring park land to the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments. Please listen to the people of Ontario, not just the local municipal politicians.