As a previous resident of…

As a previous resident of Wasaga Beach, and still a resident of the surrounding area, I would like to express my concerns regarding the transfer of property from the Provincial Parks to the Municipality of Wasaga Beach.
First of all, I would like say that I am not against progress and development. I have watched the main commercial beach area over the past 25 years deteriorate and become derelict compared to years past. I am glad to see the progress and vision of rejuvenating this area and hopefully provide a desirable area for residents and visitors to come to.
With regards to the transfer of park land to the municipality for development this is a grave concern and a very slippery slope. No government should have the ability or the right to give Provincial Park land that is owned by the people of Ontario away for development. Provincial Park land is intended for the people of Ontario to enjoy forever. Not only is the beach there for people, it is there for the wildlife to use as well. Over the past number of years there's been tremendous progress made by the Provincial Park to naturalize certain parts of the beach with such things as dune restoration and the introduction of native plants to ensure the dunes stay healthy. The Provincial Park has also been a great steward of the threatened and endangered Piping Plover, when nesting pairs started returning to Wasaga Beach back in 2007. I, along with many other people, have major concerns that if the park land is transferred to the town of Wasaga Beach, all this progress will be destroyed. This is why it's critical that it remain Provincial Park so that these valuable areas stay protected and naturalized for the Piping Plovers and other wildlife that use them.
In closing, I strongly feel that all Provincial Park land should remain in the hands of the people of Ontario. If this transfer of publicly owned land is permitted to happen who's not to say that other Provincial Parks won't be carved up for development in the future as well.