Editor: Re: Potential sale of 1.3 acres for 16 lots at the south end of Stoney Orchard Park.

First of all, Stoney Orchard Park begins on the north side of unopened 23rd St. East. Timber McArthur Park, farther south, ends at the unopened extension of 21st St. In 1992 when the new park land was purchased, a 15 metre strip along the top of the bluff was acquired to accommodate the already existing path which led to the new park. A housing complex and a parcel of land directly north of it owned by a developer, abuts this strip. Stoney Orchard Park and McArthur park are, therefore, two distinct parks, connected by a path, now called Stoney Orchard Path, starting at the north end of McArthur park; to link the two parks for this discussion is somewhat of a red herring.

Secondly, the area proposed for the 16 lots is the south part of Stoney Orchard Park, not McArthur Park, and consists mostly of mature cedar forest, not “thick scrub”. One can easily see this by checking Google Earth. The trail enters the south-west corner of Stoney Orchard from the Stoney Orchard path and loops around to return to the south-east corner at 23rd St. and back on the road allowance to the path to 5th Ave. E. It is a pleasant and enjoyable walk.

For 30 years, shortly after I moved to the east hill, my family and I have been walking in this park. Indeed, at the time, I learned that the property was for sale by an owner who was recommending that the city purchase it for a park. Since I was totally in favour of that, I encouraged several local residents to attend a City Council meeting to help urge councillors to approve the purchase. Happily, we were successful.

Now, 30 years later, I am again urging Council to protect this unique park. There are many reasons, beginning with environmental, which also addresses climate change. We should not be clearing any more treed areas in Owen Sound, as the developer would undoubtedly do – just look at the area across from Seasons apartments or the corner of Heritage Grove which used to be a small forest of very old trees. There are many other already clear places in Owen Sound to build 16 houses – we do not need to sacrifice our precious parkland and its trees.

Stoney Orchard Park is the only wilderness park on the East side of town, with a beautiful and unparalleled view out over the bay. It is an easy and pleasant walk, available to residents from a wide area, not just those close by. It is large enough to accommodate some local activities as well, in the more open area. We cannot spare the loss of any of this park. As has been said before, but bears repeating, selling off any parkland would set a poor precedent.

Please watch for and attend the public meetings to be held before any decision is made, or contact our City Councillors to let them know how you feel. And in the meantime, you could visit the park and see for yourself what a treasure it is.

Margaret Gaviller, Owen Sound