Rondeau Provincial Park Management Plan Amendment

The comments that were received expressed a range of views regarding the proposal and the existing cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park. All comments received were reviewed and considered.

Summary of comments received

Some of the comments received opposed the proposal and supported the expiry of the existing cottage lot leases. Rationale for these comments included:

• the land that the cottages currently occupy should be returned to nature
• protected areas are for all Ontarians to enjoy and not for select individuals for their private use
• the importance of protection of the rare natural environment, ecosystems and species at risk that Rondeau Provincial Park provides
• the cottage lots have contributed to the introduction of invasive species into the park.

Other comments that were against the proposal requested a longer-term or permanent solution to maintaining the existing cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park.

Some comments supported the extension of existing cottage lot leases, and many referenced a strong need to consult on a longer-term option for cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park. These comments included statements such as:

• the history of cottages as a part of the park’s landscape and a part of the culture of the surrounding community of Chatham-Kent
• the cottages help contribute to the local economy
• the footprint of the cottages is very small compared to the overall size of the park
• the cottagers are good stewards of the park and make it unique

Many comments focused on future options to maintain the existing cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park, such as:

• requesting the consideration of longer-term leases
• permanent occupancy options such as the sale of cottage lots

Ministry response

The ministry considered input received from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities during the 30-day consultation period before making its decision about the amendment.

Having considered the input received, we have decided to amend the Rondeau Provincial Park Management Plan so that existing leases/licenses for cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park can be extended for an additional two years, until December 31, 2024.

This short-term lease extension will allow for additional time to examine future leasing options at Rondeau Provincial Park.

In making this decision, the ministry has attempted to balance social, economic, and ecological considerations through offering cottagers the opportunity to continue to occupy the cottage lots in Rondeau Provincial Park.

Those cottagers that enter into an extension will continue to be bound by the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, other relevant legislation and the lease or license of occupation extension.

No decisions regarding the continued leasing beyond the two-year extension of private cottages lots in Rondeau Provincial Park have been made at this time.

The ministry will be consulting with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities on any future options.