The town of Renfrew could become the site of an urban provincial park.
Town council has approved preliminary studies on a swath of land between the Bonnechere River and Highway 17 that is undevelopable due to its location, geology, and slope into a provincially managed and maintained recreation area.
Environmental Officer Amanda Springer would use the council’s meeting on Tuesday, September 12th, to explain that those studies are needed in order to have the project ready in time to be seen by the provincial legislature.
Reeve Peter Emon would add that talks with David Piccini, the Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, have been ongoing since the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in August.
Emon says that Piccini was enthusiastic to hear that Renfrew was interested in the Urban Park concept, with Chief Administrative Officer Rob Tremblay also noting that the minister offered support in approaching private landowners in the area in order to ensure all of required space is available for the project.
Council was largely supportive of exploring the urban provincial park idea, even though Councilor Andrew Dick was quick to state that nothing about it is guaranteed at this moment.
That’s because the town already owns most of the land for the project, and long-term maintenance of the park would be paid for by the province.
The first urban provincial park was announced in Uxbridge earlier this year, and Renfrew’s proposal could join it in front of the provincial legislature in the spring should the town complete the preliminary work in time.
(written by Kasey Egan)
