Dear Mr. Feilders,…

Dear Mr. Feilders,

I have learned that the cottage leases at Rondeau Provincial Park are currently under review.

I am not a cottage lease holder at Rondeau, but I have close friends who are, and they consider their cottage at Rondeau a special place for family and friends alike. It is remarkable among Ontario Provincial Parks, not only for its unique habitat and landform, but also because of its tradition of cottaging. I believe that this tradition should continue and that the cottages should remain in the park.

My experience with current cottagers is that they provide an ongoing commitment to the park. Season after season, cottage families return to the park, and have done so for over 100 years. They see their cottages at Rondeau as a place for family and friends to gather in a natural setting and thus care for it with the same pride and respect as they would their own houses. They do not see their cottages as a real estate investment.

Additionally, the Rondeau cottagers contribute to the economic base of the surrounding communities, and I feel the proposed extension that will gradually phase out the cottages will have unfortunate outcomes for the neighboring communities as well as the Rondeau cottagers and their friends.

My recommendation would be for the Ministry to extend the leases and allow for the transfer of leases to the children of lease holders.

Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the consultation.

[Original Comment ID: 128732]