As a resident of Wasaga…

As a resident of Wasaga Beach for nearly 22 years, this proposal not only sets an awful precedent for the future of our beautiful park, but also for the town itself. The transfer of New Wasaga and Beach Areas 1 and 2 would be a detriment to the environment and the fragile ecosystem that Ontario Parks protects under current legislation.

The way the park continues to manage itself is an asset to the overarching tourism infrastructure, NOT a liability. People do not come to Wasaga Beach for hotels, condos, resorts, and casinos. People come to this town for its natural beauty and our commitment to protecting the places we love. The beach is the heart of Wasaga, and one of the best things to happen to this town was the creation of the park in 1959. Since then, the Town of Wasaga Beach and Ontario Parks have maintained a level of integration and collaboration unlike anywhere else. This town's charm comes from this partnership and the ecological integrity that Ontario Parks has strived to maintain, balancing human enjoyment and tourism with the necessary aspects of environmental awareness, protection, and stewardship. This is what makes Wasaga Beach beautiful.

If the Town of Wasaga Beach acquires these lands, there will be nothing but further damage to the place we all love. Since the town repossessed Allenwood Beach, I have not returned because of the choices being made. The once-beautiful beach that my family and I used to visit has, in only a matter of months, been egregiously mismanaged. I would love to put my faith in the Municipality, but I can't. They have proven time and time again over many years that they do not know what makes this town so unique, special, and attractive to tourists.

I vehemently oppose this proposal and implore both the Town of Wasaga Beach and the provincial government NOT to proceed with this land transfer for the sake of residents, tourists AND the environment alike.