‘Gut-wrenching’ loss of trees mourned in Niagara-on-the-Lake
About 200 people attend wake for trees cut down at Randwood Estates property
t was a day of mourning for about 200 Niagara-on-the-Lake residents Sunday.
“People are hurting. They’re crying,” said Irene Bader. “It’s really gut-wrenching.”
Bader, and her husband, Bob, organized a walk and wake Sunday as a way to protest what protesters describe as a clear-cutting of trees on the Randwood Estates property, where Solmar Development is proposing a new hotel, convention centre and entertainment complex.
“We march to mourn the loss of the tree canopy,” said Bob Bader, addressing the crowd in the park across the road from the property on Sunday. He said the key is education and peaceful resistance. The walk and wake on Sunday remained peaceful throughout.
Some residents were devastated to see the trees felled earlier this month. The property had received heritage designation, a move that’s being appealed. Irene Bader said they were told nothing would happen on the property until the appeal had been heard, which has yet to happen.
But Benny Marotta, who runs Solmar Development, has maintained his company has done no wrong, telling Niagara this Week in early November that he received Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority approval and wasn’t breaking any bylaws.
A statement from the town released Friday questions that. Staff were on site last week inspecting the property.
“Based on this site visit, we believe that significant damage has been done to the Dunnington-Grubb landscape features on the property,” the statement reads, going on to say information from the site visit and other documents have been forwarded to the town’s legal counsel for review.
“If charges are laid, the town will be seeking all remedies available to it under the Ontario Heritage Act, including but not limited to an order for the restoration of the heritage landscape features,” the statement concludes.
“It’s the first ray of hope we have had,” she said.
MPP Wayne Gates took part in the protest, encouraging the residents to stay engaged and work together.
“Collectively, if you continue to do this your message, will be heard,” he said, calling the NOTL issue one many other small communities in Ontario face. Development is fine, he said, but it has to be smart development.
During the walk organizers handed out black arm bands as a sign of support. Bader said they had 150 arm bands made and ran out Sunday.
Bader said she and her husband will stay engaged, but encouraged others to step up as well.
“We’d like to see other people pick up the mantle,” she said.