Crowds flock to discover Peche Island
Some came for the chance to help build a nesting platform for a bald eagle. One group headed over to do a yoga class. Others were curious to see the ruins of an industrialist’s summer home.
Whatever the reason, they came by the hundreds Saturday for a rare chance to explore Peche Island.
About 300 people had ferried over to the island just an hour into the offering by the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup.
“It’s been a pretty good rush this morning,” said Claire Sanders, the DRCC’s remedial action plan coordinator.
“We aren’t surprised by the interest. The island is only accessible by boat, or kayak or canoe. For some, this is an opportunity to just get on a boat.”
When the last vessel pushed off from shore at Lakeview Park Marina, a record-breaking crowd of 570 had visited the island.
In 2014, the last time the DRCC offered to take people over to Peche Island, they had to cancel because of high winds. There weren’t enough community partners to offer the experience in either of the subsequent two years.
“We’re excited to show them this beauty,” Sanders said. “It’s a real gem. There’s a big wetland and an important nursery habitat for turtles, fish and nesting birds and there’s the historical importance with the ruins of Hiram Walker’s summer home.”
The Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research provided two boats for the watery shuttle service and the DRCC arranged for another charter boat. The Windsor Essex County Canoe Club brought its large Montreal canoe and eight volunteer paddlers.
“When we saw the options we thought we’ve got to go by canoe,” said Sandy Venditti as she waited in line for a ride with Joe Charron and his wife, Connie Miller.
None of the trio had ever been to the island.
“Born and raised here and we’ve never been,” Venditti said. “People don’t know what to do in Windsor and here this is and it’s free.”
Community activist Peter Hrastovec and his wife, Denise, were also waiting to make their first island pilgrimage.
“We’re Peche Island virgins,” Hrastovec joked.
“We’ve never been. It’s just one of those things. We have some incredible stuff right on our doorstep and we don’t take advantage of it. How can we promote Windsor if we haven’t seen these things?”
The City of Windsor purchased the 86-acre island from the province in 1999. It’s promoted as a pack-in, pack-out park which means visitors are encouraged to take their garbage with them.
City foresters were on hand to build a bald eagle nesting platform with the goal of attracting the majestic birds back to the island.
The DRCC works with various partners to protect, enhance and restore the Detroit River ecosystem. Their latest Peche Island Day happened to fall on World Rivers Day.
“Just a fluke,” Sanders said.