Write an email to the politicians asking them to work together to create the Whitevale Urban Park

 It has been almost three years since our last post! In the meantime, COVID change our way of living. Going to an office, a cinema, a play, a conference or a workshop were not an option for a while, People communicated by phone or through the internet. However, what increased tremendously was our need for the outdoors, our need to walk or play outside, our connection to nature. The outdoors were relatively safe and we could walk, hike, explore, exercise or run freely outside. The parking lots of the trailheads and local parks were full. We realized even more clearly our need for green space and parks.

The Seaton Trail was busy and people signed our petition to protect the Whitevale Marsh. Our group continued to meet on line, or at times face to face with masks, with politicians. We met with MPP Bethlenfalvy, former Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan and councillor Pickles. We were given some hope that there was something in the works to protect the marsh (see attached the letter from former mayor Ryan and the motion presented by councillor Pickles. We were told that this parcel, part of Infrastructure Ontario Package 10, had not yet been sold. However, no final decision had been made. 

In the present climate, where the Provincial government in intent on carving up the Greenbelt lands, even though they are not needed for additional urban sprawl, our seemingly small request for about 40 acres is lost among the greater issues. We continue to think, however, that it is an important area to protect, if only because it is immediately adjacent to West Duffins and filtrate water going to this still pristine watercourse. So we keep on "lobbying", talking about it. hoping and connecting with anyone who see the value of this  beautiful natural area. We have followed up on Friday, March 10 with a letter to Mayor Ashe, inquiring about any updates.

Here is the email we sent to MPP Bethlenfalvy on May 7, 2021:

Dear Minister Bethlenfalvy:

We thank you for the support you expressed in protecting the Whitevale marsh and former aggregate pit when you met virtually with us on November 27th, 2020.

Mayor Ryan recently sent the attached letter to Minister of Infrastructure, the Honourable Laurie Scott. We find this an important first step in our six year journey to conserve this important natural and recreational asset.

The requirement for provincial support is underlined by Mayor Ryan and indeed, it has always been our concern and our goal to see the City and Province work together on this initiative. This was also recommended by the TRCA Board when we made our Presentation in 2017.

Unfortunately, the verbal assurance of support we received from you and from the Mayor of Pickering and Councillor Pickles have not resulted in any concrete action, and we will not rest until we actually see a change to the designated zoning of this important parcel of land.

There is now an opportunity for a concrete commitment from you and the City of Pickering Council to make this zoning change a reality, by collaborating with the relevant Ministries and potentially incorporating it in the upcoming MCR.  Limiting the use of this parcel to “recreational" , - and even better, keeping this regenerating site in its natural state - will help safeguard it from future development and institutional uses. 

We thank you for your support and we now look to you to actively collaborate with the Minister of Infrastructure, the Mayor and the members of the City of Pickering Council to ensure that this zoning change is implemented, in order to enhance the quality of life of present and future Pickering residents.

Regards,

The Whitevale Marsh Group 

And Councillor Pickles proposed a motion on April 25, 2022, to advocate the protection of the Whitevale Marsh:

MOTION APRIL 25, 2022

THIS IS OUR ANSWER:

Thank you Councillor Pickles for your recent email informing us of the motion you and Councillor Butt are putting forward on Monday.  For us, this would be an ideal resolution to this project we have worked on for the past 7 years. We are ecstatic to see that the end is perhaps near, and are heartened that some council members understand the need to preserve natural spaces in our growing urban community.

We have recently received a copy of the 2019 "TRCA Terrestrial Biological Inventory report - Whitevale Corridor North" through an FOI request. The results of the report reiterate the importance of this habitat to local ecosystems and wildlife. Protecting the area within the boundaries outlined in Mayor Ryan’s letter to IO, and linking it to the Hamlet Heritage Open space immediately south of it, has alway been our priority. Our hope is that no housing nor institution will be built on this site, which, together with the Hamlet Heritage Open Space, should be added to the Natural Heritage System in Seaton.

We support this motion of course and we want it to pass. This will be the impetus needed for the city and the province to promptly work together for a resolution, hopefully sometime this year. Please tell us if there is anything we can do to support the motion and keep us informed on the next steps.

Thanks again to you and to Councillor Butt,

Brigitte Sopher for the Whitevale Marsh Group