Park open house leaves many with more questions

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Information posted around the Seniors Centre last Thursday regarding the new Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park left some people with unanswered questions.

About 50 people were in attendance for the start of the information session at 4:30 p.m., with several staff members of Ontario Parks on hand.

However, some of the information on the posters was confusing. One board said commercial businesses currently operating on the land designated for the park will be allowed to continue but won't be allowed to expand or continue once the operation is phased out. Yet it went on to say "the park may enter into commercial agreements for local economic benefits."

Elsewhere, the posters said "in general, wildlife will not be managed," but then added "some may be managed and controlled."

At another point, the information said any buildings or structures on the land "may be removed," but noted that "new ones may be developed."

The creation of the 532-hectare park was announced last year. Ontario Parks is currently working on a management plan for the park. Last summer, Ontario Parks told the Cosmos that the provincial government committed $19 million over three years for the creation of Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park.The agency said many of the costs are undetermined as yet, but "anticipated costs will include management planning, land management, park operations, future facility development and the potential costs for park additions." The funding will also support administrative costs for regulating any subsequent park additions, assessments and studies, planning and design work for park development, procurement and construction costs of any new park facilities.