A petition is circulating in Saugeen Shores, voicing concerns about the location of the proposed splash pad in Port Elgin.
The petition Save Northshore Park was launched by local group Friends of Northshore Park, and spokesperson Paul Knechtel says they’re calling on Saugeen Shores Council to keep the Port Elgin park a green space.
The treed setting has been there for more than 110 years and Knechtel says they’d like to see Council find another location for the splash pad and preserve the park’s natural setting.
“We need to protect the existing mature trees, plant more trees and preserve this unique public forest and the green space for the whole community. We’re not against a splash pad somewhere else in the community, if at budget time it’s found to be fiscally responsible but the forest location decision is contrary to the majority of the public,” says Knechtel.
With more than 1,400 signatures on the petition at this point, the group also feels a splash pad is not a significant or unique tourist draw.
The group also states, "Saugeen Shores Council has greatly underestimated the history, the importance, and the community passion for this peaceful, natural, treed refuge - a one-of-a-kind sanctuary you won't be able to find or recreate once the damage is done."
The Friends have a three-step call to action for the Saugeen Shores Council: 1. Rescind the North Shore Park location motion in principle as soon as possible 2. Proclaim with a by-law the preservation of North Shore Park as a public forest a top priority 3. Begin the search for a more suitable splash pad location.
-With files from Craig Power