Pick new site for mountain biking

Black Oak Heritage Park is a key component of the Ojibway Prairie complex. The park was acquired in 1986 by the City of Windsor because of its exceptionally rare habitats and species.

There have been challenges regarding uses of the park ever since the city acquired the lands. Over the years, off-roaders used the park as a venue to operate their vehicles. These activities caused extensive damage to the park. Eventually through the efforts of the Windsor Police, the Windsor Port Authority, the city’s park’s department and concerned community members, these activities were brought under control. Today’s conflict revolves around the use of unauthorized trails within the park. There has been a lot of reference to the City of Windsor’s parks master plan. However, when it comes to Black Oak Heritage Park, other government legislation has been overlooked. Consideration must also be given to the federal and provincial legislation that relates to species at risk. While the federal Species at Risk Act relates mostly to activities on federal land, the provincial Endangered Species Act applies to all lands in the province. This act, implemented in 2008, was designed to protect species at risk in Ontario. It prohibits the killing, harming or harassing of species listed as threatened, endangered or extirpated. The act also provides habitat protection by prohibiting the damaging or destroying of habitat of endangered, threatened and extirpated species. Penalties for contravening the act include individual fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year. There clearly is a need for a quality mountain bike venue in the region. It just can’t occur where it affects species at risk and their habitats protected under existing legislation.

Bill Roesel, president, The Friends of Ojibway Prairie, Windsor