Ontario's first urban provincial park?
 

McMeekin talks up biosphere park

March 29, 2008
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator

Ontario's first urban provincial park could result from the building of a multimillion-dollar pedestrian bridge across the QEW in east Hamilton, says local cabinet minister Ted McMeekin.

"This is a natural adjunct to the Randle Reef funding and some of the other stuff we have done on the harbour, and building towards what I hope will be the ultimate designation of the Cootes-RBG area as the first Ontario urban biosphere park," the government services minister said yesterday.

He was speaking at the announcement of $14 million for the long-talked-about pedestrian bridge. "We are really committed to connecting the dots as best as we can. This fits into that picture."

The idea of designating Cootes and the RBG as a provincial park is being looked at by a stakeholders group.

"If they decide they want to go the next step, we'll take that next step with them," McMeekin said.

He noted the natural resources minister has been in Hamilton twice in the past year to discuss the idea of a provincial park in the west end. Ontario has also pledged $30 million to clean up the toxic Randle Reef, along the west side of Hamilton Steel (formerly Stelco Hilton Works).

A provincial park might bring even more money into the city. McMeekin said the Ontario government "could probably find some way to assist, with our partners of course. There's lots of them out there." He noted the MNR has partnered with Ducks Unlimited to buy wetlands for preservation.

The city is aiming to tender the project this fall and have it built by spring 2010. The funding will go toward building the 300-metre span over the QEW, between Burlington Street and the Red Hill Valley Parkway, plus new trails, a picnic area, parking and playing fields.

City officials were all smiles at getting the Ontario funding.

"This is a unique feature," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who noted the bridge will connect beachfront trails with trails in the Red Hill Valley and the Mountain. "It will be intriguing, interesting and architecturally fascinating."

I absolutely love the idea of an urban provincial park. I don't see the connection between the pedestrian bridge in East Hamilton and the provincial park in West Hamilton consisting of the RBG and Cootes Paradise? How will the provincial park be a result of this bridge construction?

haha...I was wondering the same thing. it's politics.
great idea though. I've wanted to see this for some time.

Great idea--fantastic. As for how the connection is made--it's quite simple--Hamilton is beyond Dixie Road--therefore, it takes the ministry officials actually LEAVING Toronto to realize that there is anything else in the province aside from yawing wilderness. It's only because these people were physically in the City that they were able to realize the opportunity--it's actually quite damning if you think about it.

Lol...so true!! well said.

it'll be nice to have those rbg lands designated as a provincial park. as mentioned, new monies will be available for park maintenance, environmental/preservation initiatives, etc. a few years ago, the talk was of making it a national park. given who's running the country now, that's likely no longer a possibility.

i'm fine with the pedestrian bridge but i really can't imagine taking a stroll beside the rhvp. count me out, thanks.

the dude--the last time I checked the National Parks system was still growing.

The Conservatives don't really oppose National Parks. They have bigger fish to fry. (Appointed Senate, politically correct programs, the debt, immigration backlog, sucking up to ethnic-minorities and quebeckers, fixing up the military, cutting taxes and transferring tax space to the provinces and keeping their party from engaging in fratricidal civil war all rank much higher than reforms to the national park system)

If anything changes it'd probably be the management of the services, because it'd prolly cheaper to hire private labour than to deal with government unions (who are powerful and ensure very generous deals.)

They seem to get a bad rap because they are against a few of the crown corporations and agencies yet noone mentions they restored the Renaissance II package that was slashed by Martin. (Then again they didn't really publicize it too well)

You know if they coordinated their tax cuts as tax space transfers to the provinces (so that the Provinces wouldn't have the appearance of raising taxes to take the tax space therefore making the move effective) then I'd say they've been one of the better governments we've had.

A provincial park is a great idea!

Royal Botanical Gardens should seriously be looking at renaming the place as Ontario's Royal Botanical Gardens. Then RBG would get some serious money.

i'm more than happy to lay some blame at the feet of the fed liberals as well. afterall, they're no better and no different. i'm an equal opportunity basher.

all the political parties equally suck. I get a kick out of people who 'side' with one party over the other. they're all power-hungry crooks and lowlives.

as for this topic, provincial park should be a no-brainer...national park would be even better.
watch for some opposition from local homebuilders though.

That's my main concern, too. But after they completely re-did the Beachfront Trail (which is right beside the QEW), it wasn't as loud/uncomfortable as I thought. This area is huge, and from what I remember, was suppose to have boardwalks or something going thru the wetland area. I bet once you're in the middle of that boardwalk system, you wont even notice you're beside a highway! ... well, until a tire flies off n takes you out ;) haha

has anyone been on Red Hill highway and seen the lame trail next to it?? brutal. this bridge will be good for connecting neighbourhoods in NE Hamilton to the beachfront, but anyone planning on riding their bike from upper stoney creek to the lake can expect a nice headache by the time you get there.

watch for some opposition from local homebuilders though

I'm not being a wise-guy, but elaborate please?

I agree the Conservatives wouldn't support a National Park in Ontario. But then again the Federal Liberals did so much in developing the Downsview National Park when they were in power....................

This is great news for Hamilton and surrounding trails and parkland can only benefit from future linkages (i.e. QEW pedestrian bridge)

yes, i agree with your comment about the libs [you were being sarcastic, right?]. while i'm politically active, i'm not a card-carrying member of any party. as rth already mentioned, they all suck equally and loudly.

i'd love for this to be national but i will accept provincial. i would like to see a small managed campground there too.. would be awesome!