The proposed Ojibway National Urban Park (ONUP) would include Ojibway Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, Black Oak Heritage Park, the Tallgrass Prairie Park, Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, and Ojibway Shores. This is a vital 33-acre greenspace and the last remaining, undeveloped natural shoreline in Windsor-Detroit.
-
WHEREAS It is home to hundreds of endangered species that rely on migration through surrounding local parks for survival. If connected, this area of approximately 900 acres, including the Detroit River could become one of North America’s treasures.
-
WHEREAS The Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, owns and manages Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, which is 230 acres of prairie, savanna, and open woodland. Recognized in the 1970s as an important natural area, Ojibway Prairie was established as a nature reserve in co-operation with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Windsor.
-
WHEREAS The ONUP is supported by, Windsor City Council, local, national, and international organizations including grassroots groups, former conservation workers, unions, former city parks directors, and hundreds of residents and Caldwell First Nation. The federal government signed a statement of collaboration with the City of Windsor to ultimately designate the Ojibway Prairie complex as a national urban park.
Therefore, we call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to engage in conversations with the City of Windsor, the Federal government, and Parks Canada to establish this National Urban Park, sign an agreement with Parks Canada to transfer Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve and respectfully work with and support local Indigenous peoples such as the Caldwell First Nation to ensure accountability and transparency in the establishment and management of ONUP.
To download a written copy of the petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario click here.