What is plan for the Ojibway complex?

Re: Black Oak Heritage Park fenced off by Brian Cross, Dec. 4.

Once again, Ojibway is in the news, this time with notice that the City of Windsor is limiting access to natural areas “to ensure the safety of residents and the natural environment.” This rationale would be great if it was given credence with a plan. However, there appears to be no plan, at least one that has been made public with public input. What is the plan for the contiguous pieces of the Ojibway complex?

The Black Oak Heritage Park area has been officially closed since 2015 due to construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge occurring on adjacent land. That closure is a stretch of rational thought and missing logical explanation. No plan.

The inconsistencies displayed by officials regarding the Ojibway complex is troubling. Will we close Matchette Road to protect the sensitive nature of the eco-system? No. Will we use the public wellspring of support to stop commercial big box development on land adjacent to the Ojibway nature centre? No. Will we stop park users (even passive hikers) from entering the park? Yes.

Without comment as to jurisdiction (federal, provincial or municipal) or the right of the public to access the park, is it not time for our political leadership to act on creating a plan for this area with public input?

Brian Masse is lobbying for community funds from the bridge development to bring Ojibway Shores within the disparate pieces of the Ojibway complex. Great! Is that the extent of political leadership within this region to recognize and protect these valuable natural areas?

Please, let’s create a plan for these areas and stop the knee-jerk reactions without a vision as to how these park areas shall be used.

Tom Fleming, LaSalle