The Canatara Park Binders, Chapter 9 (Lambton County Archives)

Chapter 9

Canatara Park, 1980 – 2000

1 Highlighted #’s refer to those pages in the original binder. They may not be shown in sequence.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS

1980 – 2000

1980

Mar. Recreation Committee urges council to do repair work on groynes.

July Council decides to do groyne repair study. Council decides to study possibility of leasing Canatara to St. Clair Parkway.

Aug – Nov Excess soil from Eaton Centre excavation is deposited in former landfill area to create two hills for tobogganing.

Nov. Recreation Committee urges council to retain control of Canatara.

Dec. Council decides not to lease Canatara to Parkway..

1981

Mar. Recreation Committee recommends that dogs be banned from city parks.

May 18 hole disc golf course opens in landfill area.

1982

Jan. Proposal to have a roller skating rental business in Canatara is presented (This is later withdrawn).

2

Oct. Centerboard Club gives presentation to Recreation Committee outlining the problems with launching ramp at Canatara.

Nov. A proposal to build a BMX bicycle track on landfill site is approved by the Recreation Committee.

1983

June A proposal is made to Recreation Committee to have a wind surfing school and rental business at Canatara (This is later withdrawn).

Aug-Sept. The BMX track is constructed at the landfill site.

1984

Feb. Drewlo Holdings grants the city 700 feet of additional beach frontage at the west end of Canatara.

1985

Mar. After vandals go on rampage in Children’s Farm, more security measures are introduced.

May Citizens’ petition outlines problems at Canatara.

3

Sept. – Nov. Addition to Children’s Farm barn is constructed.

1986

Oct. – Nov. High water and flooding force Children’s Farm to close.

1988

Apr. IODE donates money for flag pole at east entrance.

Dec. Log cabin designated as historical site.

1989

Jan. – Feb. Possibility of transferring Canatara to St. Clair Parkway again studied.

May – June Steps taken to reduce speeding and other problems at Canatara.

Sept. Grading of foredunes at west end of park.

Oct. Council agrees to study possibility of transferring park to St. Clair Parkway.

Dec. Council decides to keep Canatara under city control.

4

1990

Feb – Mar. Water circulation system installed in Children’s Farm.

Mar. Initial meeting of Canatara Management Plan Committee held.

Mar. – June Washroom constructed at west end of park.

Apr. Concern raised over future of CNR triangular land adjacent to Canatara

May – June Alcohol ban initiated at Canatara

Aug. Canatara beach closed due to pollution.

1991

Feb. – June Future of CNR triangular land discussed.

June – Aug. Tree identification leaflet created for Tarzanland nature trails.

Oct. Canatara Management Plan committee presents its recommendations at a public meeting.

Dec. Sarnia to investigate pollution problems at Canatara landfill site.

1992

Feb. First meeting of Canatara Preservation Volunteers.

5

May – June Approximately 25 benches installed through the park.

July – Sept. Golder Associates investigate the spread of pollution from the landfill site.

Aug. Fishing is banned in Lake Chipican

Sept. Construction begins in log cabin for Information Centre.

1993

Mar. Golder Associates presents its report on landfill site pollution.

Apr. Council decides not to allow a possible boat rental business to use Lake Chipican

May Canatara’s 60th anniversary marked.

June Information Centre officially opened.

6 1994

1995

1996

7

1997

Canatara Citizen Garden plots discontinued.

Boat ramp proposed in “Cove” area at west end of Canatara beach.

1951 concession booth demolished

1998

2000

8

Park staff building constructed in maintenance compound.

Rotary playground built on site of 1951 concession booth

Road barriers replaced with green posts.

CPPV start project to establish a tall grass prairie in the landfill.

CN Real Estate sells the triangular property to the Canatara Lands Company.

Sarnia Council approves in principle the Canatara Master Plan created by the CPPV & the Community Services Department.

CPPV start project to help park staff identify maintenance repairs needed for park facilities,

Smoke House at Children’s Farm is demolished. Oil begins seeping into Lake Chipican & Golder Associates starts to investigate this problem.

CPPV start projects to create management plans for the five nature preserves in the park.

Boat launching site on the west beach is discontinued.

Sarnia obtains the triangular property from the Canada Lands Company. Remedial work started to prevent waste material in the landfill & triangular land from spreading into adjacent areas.

Summary of Features and Activities

In Canatara Park: 1980 – 2000

During these two decades a number of changes occurred in the park. New facilities included a washroom, Children’s Farm barn, information center and Rotary playground, while two toboggan hills and a tall grass prairie were located on the former landfill site. For several years in the 1980’s a Frisbee Golf Course and BMX track were also on sections of the landfill. Several facilities also disappeared from the park during these years. Both the 1951 concession booth in the picnic grounds and the Smoke House at the

Children’s Farm were demolished, while the Citizen’s Garden Plots and the boat launching site were discontinued

In 1980 and again in 1989 Sarnia Council rejected a proposal to lease Canatara Park to the St. Clair Parkway Commission.

About 12.5 acres were added to Canatara during these years. This acreage included both a strip of beach at the west end of the park and the triangular parcel adjacent to the landfill that the city had attempted to acquire previously.

In the 1992 – 2000 period several studies were made regarding the migration of waste material from the former landfill and remedial work was done in and around the landfill to contain the contaminates.

9

Changes also occurred in the parks administration. At the beginning of 1991 when Sarnia & Clearwater amalgamated, the Parks & Recreation Committee was discontinued. Furthermore, the Administrator of the Parks and Recreation Department was replaced several times. Bill Skerrett was succeeded by Tony Brenner in 1983, by Colleen Johnston in 1987 and by Terry McCallum in 1991. In 1992 a city sponsored group of volunteers was formed that undertook a variety of projects designed to enhance both the natural features and human-made facilities in Canatara. They also helped to create a park Master Plan.

All these activities and issues are recorded in the Parks and Recreation Committee minutes, newspaper articles, photos, maps and site plans provided below. An addendum that includes many of the plans, maps and other material produced by the volunteers is also supplied. For a more detailed description of the events and issues concerning the Lake Chipican Nature Preserve, see Volume 10.

10

Maps in Volume 9

Map W-7: Addition to Canatara Park – 1984

Map W-1: Canatara Park – 1985

Map: T-1: 1991 Subdivision Plan for CNR Triangular Property

Map W-2: Landfilling Progression – 1930 – 1967

Map W-3: Proposal Boat Ramp Location – 1994

Map W-4: Canatara Park Management Zones and Nature Preserves – 1996

Map W-5: Canatara Park – 1996

Map T-2: Geomorphic Units in Triangular Property

Map W-6: Landfill Remedial Work – 2001

11

Parks & Recreation (P&R) Committee’s Minutes: 1980

Members of the P&R Committee in 1980 were; B. Montgomery (Chairman), Mrs. J. Rownthwaite, W. Graham, Mrs. M. Contalini, I. Rutherford, D. Bain, Mrs. E. Barber, Mrs. V. Hadley, Ald. P. O’Brien, W. Skerrett (Director of Parks) and T. Wood (Director of Recreation).

January 23: T. Wood mentioned that there were three annual events held in Canatara Park: Canada day, Easter in The Park and Christmas on The Farm.

March 26: The committee noted that the groynes at Canatara needed to be repaired and requested that Sarnia Council “make every effort to have this work done as quickly as possible”. (Council discussed this issue at its July meeting – see Gazette article page 7.)

June 25: Skerrett described the lifeguard program at the Canatara beach. (See Gazette article below).

Note: At the July Council meeting Ald. Kowalyshyn brought up the idea of Canatara Park being managed by the St. Clair Parkway. (See Gazette article page 15).

August 27: Skerrett mentioned that the first nine holes of the Frisbee golf course was being installed in the landfill (12) section of Canatara Park. *Skerrett advised that all 18 holes of the Frisbee golf course should be ready by next spring. (See Map W1 for the location of this course). He also noted that clay soil excavated from construction sites in downtown Sarnia was being used to create two hills in the Canatara landfill. (See Map W1 and the 1981 aerial photo for the location of these hills).

November 26: Regarding the persistent problem of dogs running loose in Canatara Park, Skerrett stated that: “animal patrol have increased the numbers of patrols through the park and signs will be placed in the park stating that dogs must be on a leash.”

Skerrett also mentioned that he thought Canatara Park should not be handed over to the St. Clair Parkway. (See Gazette Dec. 3, 1980 article on page 8). All committee members agreed and the following motion was carried unanimously: “That the City of Sarnia maintain Canatara Park within the Parks & Recreation system for the City of Sarnia.”

Skerrett submitted a flyer promoting Canatara Park as a, “Winter Wonderland”, with toboggan hills, cross-country ski trails, skating on Lake Chipican, and hiking in the nature preserves.

*Note: At its December meeting Sarnia Council decided to retain Canatara Park in the City Parks system. (See Observer editorial and Gazette article below.)

*Taken from binder page 20 and entered here. 13

CANATARA BEACH SAFEST ON LAKE

Sarnia Gazette July 16, 1980 P5

SARNIA: Canatara park beach is one of safest places to be this summer. As was the case in past years, the City has hired 6 highly trained lifeguards to keep swimmers and boaters out of trouble.

According to head guard Mary Ann Artuso, her 5 female lifeguards are qualified extensively in both first aid and rescue work.

She says that the prerequisites for being a lifeguard at Canatara include a bronze medallion from the Royal Lifesaving Society, water safety knowledge, rescue procedures and first aid.

Several of the girls have higher qualifications such as their instructor’s badge, Scuba certification and resuscitation training for heart attack victims.

Artuso has worked at Canatara for the past 5 years and says that she has yet to come across a serious accident. Most of her work has involved cuts and scrapes, and teaching water-safety. As Artuso puts it “I have never saved someone from drowning.”

However, the girls must practice every day just in case an emergency were to arise. A typical day’s training includes a ½ mile swim, practice on the paddle rescue boards and first aid refresher sessions during the group’s weekly meeting.

The most frequent problem the guards must deal with on a daily basis, is boaters coming too close to shore, endangering the swimmers. Artuso says that a new buoy system is supposed to be in place by the end of the month, to warn boaters to stay clear from shore.

Another problem that the guards constantly have to deal with is swimmers who insist on climbing the steel groynes. Lifeguards warn people that this kind of activity is dangerous.

According to the girls, the busiest day at the beach is Sunday from 12 noon until 3 p.m. Artuso says that American holidays are especially busy times.

Lifeguards will be on duty until September 1st

BEACH RULES

1.. Flotation devices (inner tubes, air mattresses surf boards, toys, etc.) are not permitted in the water.

2. All goggles, fins, masks, scuba equipment are not to be used in the patrol area.

3. Climbing and diving from groynes is dangerous, and strictly prohibited.

4. Boats are to remain 200 feet from the shore of the patrolled area.

5. Swimmers venturing too deep for safety will be whistled in by the lifeguard.

14

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO COUNT THE SEAGULLS” – SHIPLEY

The Gazette Section II July 16, 1980 P6

Some $4,200 in taxpayers money will be wasted in an unnecessary study at Canatara Park, Sarnia Alderman Norm Shipley says.

Council approved the study (it will pay $1,400 with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority picking up the balance).

The study will determine how to best combat erosion at Canatara beach.

Shipley says a study isn’t needed.

“For God’s sake I can tell you what is needed. You don’t need to count the sea gulls, height of the waves and the algae.”

Four groynes at the beach are badly damaged but Shipley insists the devastation was not caused because they were poorly placed. He said “the contractor didn’t build them properly”.

However, City parks Director Bill Skerrett said Sarnia will not get provincial government assistance to repair or replace the groynes unless a study is carried out because the province is not anxious to locate such structure in the wrong spots.

Shipley remained unconvinced, growling “it’s a pure and utter waste of money!” 15

Sarnia Observer July 30, 1980 Page 24

AT CITY HALL

He (Ald. Kowalyshyn) also brought up the idea of approaching the St. Clair Parkway to consider operating and maintaining Canatara Park… just as they do, under agreement with Sarnia Centennial Park. This brought cries of outrage from Ald. Marcella Brown who talked about Mrs. Hanna and the long-ago Board Chairman, Germain rescuing the park from a bunch of developers. Kowalyshyn plugged on. He said the idea should not be shocking to anyone, the park just won’t get up and move away, it is regional, in fact an international park being funded by Sarnia taxpayers, the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages, the Parkway system “really begins at Canatara” and would lend itself to development of Sarnia Bay. “We lose nothing” he concluded, “there are not too many people concerned about who cuts the grass at Centennial…”

Ald. Frank Allison added one concern: that by asking to have Canatara taken over the Parkway the city could lose out on Bay development in the competition for shared dollars by Sarnia, Chatham, Wallaceburg, Kent and Lambton. He said the higher priority was development of Sarnia Bay.

Ald. Marceil Saddy challenged that concept. “We don’t want just prettification of the bay with petunias and marinas… we must hold out for a splendid and income creating use … other cities put their majestic landscape to use and Sarnia must, too.” The matter carried. Sarnia Parks and Recreation Committee will be consulted and a formal request “for consideration,” will go to the Parkway Commissioners

16

Parkway Takeover Would Scuttle Events

The Gazette - Section A, September 3, 1980 – P26

By: Dan McCaffery

If Sarnia hands over control of Canatara Park to the St. Clair Parkway Commission it could put an end to several popular annual events.

Parks Director Bill Skerrett says that if the beach front park is given to the Parkway his department may no longer be able to stage Easter-in-the-Park, Christmas-inthe-Park or even Canada Day celebrations in Canatara.

“One of the main pitfalls is that you lose the flexibility of organizing special events and recreation programs for the people of Sarnia. Those types of activities (Easter-in-the-Park, etc.) are becoming more important as people spend more time closer to home. We’d have to withdraw those types of programs.”

He says a regional park is operated in a different manner from a local facility. Skerrett denies that he is trying to protect his “empire” and says if the park is handed over “I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. The citizens of Sarnia are the ones who are going to lose”.

Mayor Andy Brandt says Canatara is a regional park. If the parkway takes over the facility it will pay the annual maintenance cost, estimated at between $60,000$80,000. He says he would press for an agreement that would ensure the park is operated in much the same manner as is the case today.

The parkway has agreed to study the proposal but some members from the Chatham-Kent area are opposed, saying too much money is being spent in SarniaLambton already.

Those remarks angered Brandt. He declared “we’ve waited silently with our noses pressed to the window for a good number of years while they (Chatham-Kent) got the biggest project (Mitchell’s Bay Marina) ever undertaken by the Commission. I think it’s our turn. We’re putting in the highest percentage of the money – far more money than any municipality to the south.”

17

Canatara Park Issue Surfaces Once Again

Sarnia Observer - Dec. 1, 1980 P4

Maintenance of Canatara Park has again surfaced as a local political issue. It wasn’t an issue in the Nov. 10 municipal election, but it promises to pick up steam when the new council tackles it.

City council has recently asked the St. Parkway Commission to consider taking over park maintenance and the commission is waiting for a more formal request.

The city would still own the park, it would still be there for everyone to use and the 150-hectare (260 acre) park would be left mainly as it is.

But the two city aldermen who sit on the commission disagree over who should maintain the park.

Ald. Marcella Brown said the park is a “matter of identity” for the city and she is against turning over control to the commission.

Ald. John Kowalyshyn said people don’t care who cuts the grass or trims the trees at the park, as long as they can use the park free, as they do now.

Ald. Kowalyshyn said the commission could obtain funds for the park which aren’t available to the city to make it an international gateway to the commission’s enviable string of parks along the St. Clair River.

A public park since 1932, Canatara Park is one of the finest in southwestern Ontario. It is a source of pride for Sarnians and attracts people from across the region and from the U.S.

But no matter who maintains the park, its uses and events will continue to attract people as they are now.

The commission has shown what it can do. Its series of riverfront parks from Mitchell’s Bay to Sarnia’s Centennial Park is unequaled.

The argument, then, boils down to what advantages can be offered by turning over the park to the commission.

Substantial tax savings may be realized since the parkway commission is largely funded by the province, together with participating municipalities.

However, since we all pay provincial taxes, the savings here would largely be through having other Ontarians sharing in the upkeep of the local park. To settle the discussion, city council would be well advised to prepare a report on the advantages and disadvantages of the transfer.

Once this is complete, and it should be done by staff rather than out-of-town experts, council could vote on the matter.

When that vote has determined a course to follow, we suggest the issue be dropped.

Far too often, city council tends to let issues drag on for months when they could be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Decisions over Canatara park (banning traffic, closing the roads at midnight) seems to follow this pattern.

This new city council which takes over this week can get itself off on the right foot by dealing with this issue as rapidly as possible.

Then, city ratepayers can be assured, city hall staff can get on to more important day-to-day issues like streets, water mains and snow removal. And we can forget about Canatara until next spring when we can, once again, savor the trees, beaches and grass.

18

Gazette Article Dec. 3, 1980

Despite the machine-gun pace, numerous significant decisions were made including:

Canatara Park will remain in the City Parks system. A proposal that would have handed over control of the lakefront park to the provincial government was rejected. Had the park been given to the St. Clair Parkway Commission the city would have saved $104,000 in annual operating costs but would have lost any say in its operation. That, Parks Director Bill Skerrett warned could result in possible physical changes at Canatara.

19

1981

The aerial photo of Sarnia shows the toboggan hills created in 1980 as two white patches in the Canatara landfill. Also notice the wide beach at Canatara.

Aerial Photo

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1981

March 25: Skerrett noted that because of the continuing complaints about dogs running loose in parks, it may be necessary to ban all dogs from city parks. He mentioned that several cities have a by-law that no dogs be allowed in their parks. The committee recommended: “That Council consider banning dogs from all city parks.” (See Observe editorial on page 14.) Following the predictable protest from dogs owners, Council decided not to ban dogs from the parks.

May 27: Skerrett stated that the Frisbee golf course in the Canatara (21) landfill was now open.

Skerrett revealed that a Mr. Mitchell was proposing to offer a horse and carriage sightseeing tour on the roadway through Canatara Park. After some discussion the committee decided that this operation be allowed on a trial basis for one season, subject to a number of conditions.

Skerrett also mentioned that the Sarnia Citizens Band would again be performing at the Canatara bandshell this summer.

July 22: Skerrett noted that because of vandalism, it was difficult to maintain the water fountains in Canatara.

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1982

January 27: Mr. S. Pilkey presented a proposal to operate a roller skating rental business in Canatara Park during the 1982 summer. The roller skating would be done on the asphalt trails in the park. The committee stated that it needed more information regarding the proposal before making a decision

February 24: Skerrett mentioned that Pilkey had withdrawn his request (22) to operate a roller skating business in Canatara.

October 27: A number of citizens were present to discuss the issue of a launching site in Lake Huron for small boats. B. Fletcher, past Commodore of the Centerboard Club, stated that he had been involved with the launching ramp at Canatara Park in 1976. It was successful for two years, but then became buried in the sand. He recommended that a better location for the ramp would be on the east side of the entrance to the Sarnia Yacht Club Basin. However, the City would have to obtain this property and the Committee recommended the Council do just that. (In 1984 the City did obtain this strip of beach at the west end of the park, as described below.)

November 24: Mr. McBroom of Needham’s Sports proposed that a motocross bicycle (BMX) track be located in Canatara Park. He noted that BMX tracks were becoming very popular and a BMX club was being organized in Sarnia. This club could provide funds to build the track and look after its operation and maintenance. The committee decided to approve this request subject to a number of conditions.

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1983

Note: At the end of 1982 Bill Skerrett was replaced by Tony Brenner as Director of the Parks Recreation Department.

The members of the Parks & Recreation Committee in 1983 were: Mrs. J. Jennings (Chairman), Mrs. F. Taylor, Ms. S. Taylor, D. Bell, C. Hocking, R. Fulkerson, R. Jagoo & T. Brenner.

January 26: Brenner noted that the BMX track will be located in the Canatara landfill (see map W1). One of the toboggan hills will be used as a viewing site. The layout will discourage motorized vehicles from using the track.

March 23: Brenner reported that an official BMX club had been formed in Sarnia and he was working with the club to formulate an agreement concerning the operation and maintenance of the track.

June 22: Brenner mentioned that an agreement with the MBX club was in place, but no work could proceed until all the terms of the agreement have been met.

P. Boufford proposed that a wind surfing school & rental (24) business be located at Canatara beach. Brenner stated that a large number of conditions had to be agreed on before this proposal could be implemented. The committee approved the proposal subject to a variety of conditions.

September 28: Brenner indicated that the agreement with P. Boufford concerning the windsurfing school and rental business at Canatara had been cancelled. Boufford had not obtained the necessary insurance and he now realized the business was not going to be profitable.

Brenner reported that the BMX track was almost complete and should be ready for next year.

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1984

January 25: Brenner stated that the BMX track should be in full operation this spring. The parking lot for the track is located opposite the Children’s Farm lot.

February 22: Brenner noted that the agreement with the BMX club would expire in May 1984. The Committee extended the agreement one year to 1985. 25

Note: In February Sarnia Council made an agreement with Drewlo Holdings Inc. that resulted in a 700 foot addition to the west beach at Canatara. (See map W7 and the Observe and Gazette articles below). This is the property which the Centerboard Club had recommended in 1982 that the city acquire for a small boat launching facility. However, the Sarnia Yacht Club objected to such a facility being located at the entrance to the Yacht Club Basin since it would create too much congestion at this narrow channel,

and thus no launch ramp was ever built there. The March 12, 1984 deed for this 3.4 acre property is also included below.

September 26: Brenner reported that the BMX club had some organizational set=backs this year, but by next year the track should be ready for organized competitions.

26

Dog Owners Deserve Second Chance in City Sarnia Observer -

Monday, March 30, 1981 P4

The parks and recreation committee’s recommendation that dogs be banned entirely from city parks is too extreme a measure to take at this time.

The problem of dogs running loose in parks, especially Canatara Park, has been a recurring headache for the city for some time.

Every summer city hall is bombarded with complaints from people who have been disgusted at the sight of dog droppings throughout the parks and on the public beaches. Parks and recreation director Bill Skerrett admits that the problem has public health officials concerned.

But the parks and recreation committee is dabbling in overkill by recommending the banning of dogs before trying some other solutions.

The problem always seems to bring to the surface two factions in society – those who can’t stand the sight of a dog, and those who love the animals and would like to see them have the same freedom as humans.

Together, these two groups represent a small percentage of people who use the parks every year. The vast majority falls somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum. Most people don’t mind dogs in the parks, as long as the owners are responsible enough to take care of their dogs and clean up after them when they leave their mark.

During its meeting last week city council decided not to ban dogs completely, but instead called for regulations requiring all dogs to be leashed and tighter control on owners not obeying these restrictions.

Council made the right decision and will likely reiterate this stand when the matter comes before it again in the next few weeks.

This isn’t to say the banning will not become necessary in the future. If dog owners continue to ignore the regulations and enforcement becomes difficult, the result will probably be that council will follow the parks and recreation committee’s recommendation.

Recognizing the fact council will probably reject the idea of banning the dogs, the committee sent along an alternative suggestion for council to consider. The committee wants dog owners to be forced to clean up after their dogs, under threat of a hefty fine. If council agrees and incorporates this regulation into the city’s parks bylaw, offenders will be liable to a fine of up to $1,000.

This is a good idea, but enforcement would be a problem. The only real answer is for dog owners to be more considerate of others when they take their pets to the park.

The threat of a fine may not force them to clean up their act, but the knowledge that the next step will be to ban dogs from the parks might be the incentive needed. But first, let’s give them a chance before taking the most extreme route.

Developer Granted Small Concession by City Sarnia Observer - Feb. 28, 1984 P15

Sarnia council and a city apartment building developer achieved a standoff Monday.

Council granted Drewlo Holdings Inc. one concession it requested in site plan and servicing agreements for a Sandy Lane apartment complex development but did not go along with a second requested concession.

The Drewlo firm plans to build an apartment complex of three 12-storey towers with a total of 459 units on Sandy Lane just west of Canatara Park. The first phase comprising 153 units is to be started this year.

The firm was successful in having the amount of land it must dedicate to the city for park land slightly reduced. It will give 3.39 acres to the city, which is 44 acres less than the maximum amount required according to city development regulations.

The park land extends west from Canatara Park along the lakefront to the Sarnia Yacht Club basin.

Ald. Don Poore strongly opposed the proposed park land dedication because about an acre of it is under water in the yacht club basin. To accept it as park land is not fair to city ratepayers, he said.

Ald. Poore wanted all the land to be above water. He suggested extending the park land area further to the south to include a spit of land that juts out into the basin and is used by the public now. Restricting public access to that land would be a mistake, he said.

However, council voted 5-4 to accept the park land dedication as proposed by Drewlo on the tie-breaking vote of Mayor Marceil Saddy.

The firm did not fare as well on a request to have the city pay some costs of a sanitary sewer line.

The developer has to extend a line all the way through Canatara Park to the nearest sewer main at Christina Street. However, to maintain capacity in that sewer, the city engineering department instead wants the line extended down Cathcart Boulevard another 1500 feet to Lecaron Avenue.

Drewlo proposed that the city and developer split the estimated $80,000 cost of this additional extension to the line.

Asked about setting a precedent, city manager John Robertson said there would be something of a precedent because it would be the first time the total costs of servicing a development were not covered by the developer.

Ald. Bernice Rade led opposition to the proposal. She said it’s not fair to ask taxpayers to share in the cost of the project and the developer should bear all the costs of servicing.

Several aldermen noted that Drewlo was saving money by obtaining the concession for a smaller park land dedication, and they were not prepared to grant a further concession.

A motion against sharing in the cost of the sewer line was passed with opposition from Ald. Pat O’Brien. He referred to all the revenue the project will bring the city and said it shouldn’t be held up over a small amount of money.

“We should be encouraging every development we can in the city” he said. When final site plan and servicing agreements for the apartment development are approved by city council in a bylaw, Drewlo could obtain a building permit and start on the first apartment building at any time.

28

We’ll Need Jacques Cousteau to Get Sarnia’s New Park

Sarnia Gazette - Feb. 29, 1984 P3

BY: Dan McCaffery

They accepted an acre of parkland that will only be accessible to Jacques Cousteau; granted themselves a pay hike that outstrips anything given to staff so far this year and served notice that they are opposed to a domed stadium for Toronto.

It was that kind of meeting at Sarnia City Council this week, as Aldermen spent five hours wrestling with a 15 item agenda.

Council gave Drewlo Holdings Incorporated permission to proceed with three high rise apartment towers on Sandy Lane at the edge of Canatara Park.

In order to get approval, Drewlo granted the City 3.3 acres of parkland dedication. The deal increases beach frontage at Canatara Park by 700 feet. However, there is one drawback – more than an acre of the dedicated property is under water!

Said Ald. Don Poore: “I think to describe land that lies under the Yacht Club basin as beachfront property is at least misleading. I want land above the lake level”.

But Ald. Pat O’Brien urged acceptance of the deal, noting “we would get $400,000 annually in taxes if this proceeds, plus $90,000 (in building permit fees). It would be foolhardy to hold it up.”

The rest of council agreed, although it rejected a Drewlo suggestion that the city pay half the cost of an $80,000 sanitary sewer.

29

Deed – without spousal consent

Dye & Durham Co. Limited Form No. 1.3

THIS INDENTURE

Made in duplicate the twelfth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eighty-four. In Pursuance of the Short Forms of Consequences Act: Between

DREWLO HOLDINGS INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario,

hereinafter called the GRANTOR of the first part -and-

THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SARNIA

hereinafter called the GRANTEE of the Second Part

Witnesseth that in consideration of -----------------------------------------valuable consideration and the sum of TWO ($2.00) DOLLARS –

now paid by the said Grantee to the said Grantor, the receipt whereof is hereby by it acknowledged, the said Grantor DOTH GRANT unto the said Grantee in fee simple

THOSE lands and premises located in the following municipality, namely, being part of the Military Reserve in the City of Sarnia, in the County of Lambton

and being composed of Parts 1 and 2 according to a Reference Plan deposited in the Registry Office for the Registry Division of Lambton (No. 25) as Plan Number 25R-4031

RESERVING to the Grantor, its successors and assigns, to and for its use forever, a rightof-way in perpetuity for entrance and egress in, over, along, and upon Part 1 as shown on the aforementioned Plan Number 25R-4031

AND FURTHER RESERVING unto the said Grantor, its successors and assigns, to and for its use forever, a right-of-way in perpetuity to enter upon Part 1 as shown on the aforementioned Plan Number 25R-4031 in order to dredge and otherwise maintain the same as an unobstructed waterway.

30

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD unto the said Grantee, its successors and assigns to and for their sole and only use forever.

SUBJECT NEVERTHELESS to the reservations, limitations, provisoes and conditions expressed in the original grant thereof from the Crown.

The said Grantor COVENANTS with the said Grantee that it has the right to convey the said lands to the said Grantee notwithstanding any act of the said Grantor.

AND that the said Grantee shall have quiet possession of the said lands free from all encumbrances.

AND the said Grantor COVENANTS with the said Grantee that it will execute such further assurances of the said lands as may be requisite.

AND the said Grantor COVENANTS with the said Grantee that it has done no act to encumber the said lands.

AND the said Grantor RELEASES to the said Grantee ALL its claims upon the said lands.

PROVIDED that in construing these presents the words “Grantor” and “Grantee” and the pronouns “he”, “his” or “him” relating thereto and used therewith shall be read and construed as “Grantor” or “Grantors”, “Grantee” or “Grantees” and “he”, “she”, “it” or “they”, “his”, “her”, “its” or “their”, or “him”, “her”, “it” or “them”, respectively, as the number and gender of the party or parties referred to in each case require, and the number of the verb agreeing therewith shall be construed as agreeing with the said word or pronoun so substituted.

IT WITNESS WHEREOF DREWLO HOLDINGS INC. has hereunto affixed its Corporate Seal duly attested by the hands of its proper officer in that behalf.

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED In the Presence of

)DREWLO HOLDINGS INC.

)Per Eugene _____

)President 31

MAP W7

Sarnia obtains Part 1 & 2 as addition to Canatara Park Plan 25R- 4031 March 14/84

Parks & Recreation Minutes: 1985

Committee members: Mrs. S. Taylor (Chairman), Mrs. P. Desrosiers, C. Hocking, Mrs. G. Strangway, Mrs. F. Taylor, G. White, Ms. E. Wood, R. Gordon, E. Hetu & T. Brenner ( PSR Administrator).

Note: In early March vandals killed & injured a number of animals in the Children’s Farm.

March 17: Brenner described various measures that could be taken to improve security at the Children’s Farm. The committee decided that an electronic detection system should be installed at the Farm for this purpose. In addition, the construction of a larger barn facilities should be considered. This would allow most of the animals to be locked up at night.

To improve the water quality in Lake Chipican Brenner mentioned that the Department was considering a device which would spray water 30 feet into the air. This would provide an aeration & purifying mechanism for the lake. (This proposed device was never installed).

Note: In May Sarnia Council received a petition from concerned resident regarding various issues at Canatara, as outlined (33) in the Observer article on page 24.

May 22: Brenner indicated that the electronic security system would soon be installed at the Children’s farm. He also mentioned that a recognition day was being planned for all the people who donated towards this security system. Mrs. S. Taylor asked how much money was raised, and Brenner stated that close to $10,000 was raised and monies were still coming in. Hetu asked if anything had arisen from the arrest and Brenner replied that the individuals have been remanded out of custody and the case will be heard in the near future.

In June the Kiwanis Club announced that it was providing funds for a number of improvements at the Children’s Farm, including the construction of a second barn. (See Observer article on page 23).

June 26 Brenner noted that the R.C.M.P. Musical Ride would be taking part in the Canada Day parade into Canatara Park this year. (See photo’s below).

RCMP on Lake Chipican Drive, Canada Day, 1985

In December the new September 25: Brenner stated that the BMX track was being used but there was no committee functioning at that (34) time.

barn at the Children’s Farm was opened as noted in the December 9th photo on page 22.

The above 1985 aerial photo & Map W1 on the following page show the location of the facilities added to the park in the 1980 – 85 period. They include the Frizbee Golf Course, BMX track, toboggan hills & Children’s Farm barn. (The first two facilities are no longer in the park.)

34 (b)

Map W1

34 (a)

1985 Aerial Photo

New Children’s Farm Barn Opened Sarnia Observer - Dec. 9, 1985 P11

The continuing commitment of the Seaway Kiwanis Club to the Canatara Park animal farm was recognized Saturday when the doors swung open on the new $40,000 barn.

The club has contributed a $100,000 to the farm during the past 21 years.

Local politicians and club members spoke proudly of the club’s efforts during the official opening ceremonies which included a plaque unveiling, ribbon-cutting and cakecutting.

The many visitors to the farm were invited to have a piece of the cake. Many people were in the park to enjoy the Christmas on the Farm celebration.

While there was speech-making and cake-eating in the barn on the weekend, the real tenants will be moving in soon.

The barn is intended to provide better accommodations for some of the farm’s larger animals.

“It will provide increased housing for animals, better security for them and better viewing of them by the public,” said Earl Kett, chairman of the club’s building committee.

“We will be able to keep a wider variety of animals year-round,” said Tony Brenner, the parks department administrator. The parks department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the farm.

In previous years due to lack of space some of the larger animals were sold in the fall.

“It will be wide open so there will be easier viewing of the animals,” said Mr. Brenner.

He said he was elated by the new facility and called it a “tremendous gift” to Sarnia residents. The farm is one of the most highly visited spots in Sarnia by citizens and tourists, he said.

Club members have spent the past six months planning for the barn. They were aware a larger barn was required and it was just a question of when and how, said Mr. Kett.

Kiwanis Club Providing $40,000 For Improvements to Animal Farm

Sarnia

Observer - Tuesday, June 25, 1985 P11

By Mary Jane Egan of the Observer

Canatara Park’s Children’s Farm will see $40,000 in improvements this year –including a new two-storey barn and water purification system – thanks to a grant announced Monday by the Sarnia Seaway Kiwanis Club.

Gordon Farndale, club president, told a news conference the $40,000 will bring the Seaway Kiwanis’ contribution to the farm to $100,000 since it began supporting the project in 1964 when the farm was founded.

While second barn and increased pen size will help tighten security at the farm by allowing all the animals to be housed at night, Mr. Farndale said the club’s action is not directly related to the break-in last March during which four animals were slaughtered.

The slayings prompted a loud community outcry for stepped-up security. But Mr. Farndale said the club had been planning to finance the expansion for some time.

“It may have hastened our decision but it wasn’t the cause of it,” he said.

Sarnia Mayor Marceil Saddy praised the club for its continuing support of “one of the area’s most well-known features”.

The club hopes to break ground for the new barn Sept. 3 which will be situated west of the existing barn with a silo acting as a bridge between the two buildings. It will include a larger viewing area, increased storage facility and a large equipment room.

Tony Brenner, city parks and recreation administrator, said the new facility will allow the farm to keep a variety of desired livestock all year round, rather than the current practice of having to sell some animals before winter.

It is hoped the expansion will officially open Oct. 19.

The second phase of the project is installation of a water circulation and purification system for the pond which encircles the farm. A pump will selectively draw water through underwater piping on either side of the farm to a fountain, spray it into the air and simultaneously circulate and purify it.

It will also irrigate the farm during high water level periods.

The club raises its farm contributions through bingos and a variety of events through the year. Kiwanis dollars were used to build the original barn, buy antique farm machinery and move the log cabin to the farm which is the highlight of Christmas in the Park each year.

The club has also purchased animals for the farm and helps the parks and recreation department sponsor Christmas and Easter activities in the park.

37

Petition Expresses Concerns About Park

Sarnia Observer - May 2, 1985 P4

City council will study a petition, Monday, concerning conditions at Canatara Park.

It’s uncertain at this point where the petition originated or who started it, but the problems cited in the document are ones that should concern area residents.

The petition makes reference to the garbage that is deposited around the park by people who don’t seem to care about the grounds. Also referred to in the list of troubles cited is the recent slaying of a number of animals at the farm in the park.

The bloodbath at the farm was – hopefully – an isolated incident and one that will be dealt with in the criminal courts of Lambton County.

The litter and lack of respect for property are concerns that we should all consider and do our best to eliminate.

The city’s parks and recreation department spends countless hours and thousands of dollars maintaining cleaning up at the park.

That’s public money being used but there is a certain amount of dedication involved because the officials realize what a unique resource Sarnia has in the park.

Few cities can boast the same open space close to the downtown area and even fewer have access to beaches and open water such as Canatara offers.

The gardens are kept in tip-top shape while clean-up crews do their best to keep ahead of polluters. As mentioned in the petition it’s not always possible to keep every scrap of paper and garbage off the grounds.

Some members of the public seem to ignore all these efforts of the parks crew and treat the park like it was the town dump.

Rather than urging city council to take action or calling for courts to increase fines, the call should go out to those individuals who are creating the mess.

Inevitably, the people who will suffer from more restrictions on the park will be the innocent majority who just enjoy using the park for a stroll or a picnic.

If enough pressure is brought to bear, there could be full-time security staff and other measures instituted. We hope that is not necessary.

Already, city police have been asked to step up patrols to keep an eye on youths who openly drink beer or race their cars in the park. Random checks by police can control this activity – particularly when coupled with fines for offenders.

It’s harder to catch the litterbugs but public assistance and co-operation on the part of all can help curtail this activity.

The park has not reached the “appalling condition” referred to in the petition to city hall.

The petitioners appear to be pressing the panic button too soon, but if those who damage and litter in the park aren’t brought to head, we could see the day when Canatara will become like an armed fortress.

Let’s keep the park open by using a little common sense. When offenders are caught, let them pay the price – don’t take it out on the law-abiding majority.

38 Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1986

January 22 Brenner indicated that he intended to have a sign at the entrance of Canatara Park to inform the public of the Park By-Law. Items such as the nature trails and fitness trail could also be highlighted.

As noted above, in the March 1986 Observer item on page 28, the Department was planning to install a water circulation and purification system for the pond at the Children’s Farm

Note: In the fall of 1986 a large amount of rainfall combined with very high water levels in Lake Huron resulted in extensive flooding at Lake Chipican, the Children’s Farm & the ballfield.

39

October 22: regarding the flooding problems at Canatara, Brenner remarked that pumping operations had begun on October 16. Excess water was being pumped into the sanitary sewer system. (also see October 23rd Observer article on page 29.

October 1986 Canatara Flooding Photos

This view looks north from the south end of the ballfield. As shown on Map A4 in Volume 1, a similar pond once existed at this site.

This photo shows the main park road north of the Children’s Farm. The view looks east with the west entrance to the beach parking lots in the foreground on the left.

This view looks north down the channel on the west side of the Children’s Farm, which was completely flooded at this time. A portion of the new barn can be seen on the right.

This photo shows the same view after the water had been drained from the farm water course.

More Improvements in the Works for Revamped City Children's Farm THE OBSERVER, SCOPE EDITION – March 1986

Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department plans on carrying through with plans to install a water circulation and purification system for the pond encircling Canatara Park's Children's Farm in 1986.

Parks Supervisor Dan Gutteridge says the circulation system is the only major project by the parks department for the Children's Farm this year as many improvements were carried out last year.

He said the circulation system is a continuation of the improvements initiated in 1985.

“The system will keep the water fresh, improving the overall water quality in the pond. It will make the area more attractive for visiting people,” he said.

A pump will selectively draw water through underwater piping on either side of the farm to a fountain where it will be sprayed into the air, simultaneously circulating and purifying it.

The system is also designed to irrigate the farm.

Mr. Gutteridge said the improvements initiated last year were part of an upgrading project funded by a $40,000 grand from the Sarnia Seaway Kiwanis Club. Since 1964, the club has contributed $100,000 to the animal farm.

Mr. Gutteridge said the largest improvement to the farm last year was the construction of a new two-story barn and increased pen size for animals. He said the barn, a 30-foot by 50-foot structure, was attached to the existing structure and included nine new stalls, a larger viewing area, increased storage facilities, and a large equipment room.

In addition to the barn expansion, there was a new lighting system installed throughout the farm. An entire system was also installed as a means of tightening security at the farm following a break-in last March during which four animals were slaughtered.

Mr. Gutteridge said the alarm system was provided by a volunteer effort from the Farm Security Committee.

Other improvements at the park included re-gravelled pathways and raised corral levels. Fill from construction of a drainage system at Germain Park was used to raise the level of the corrals which, at times, had been under water.

Mr. Gutteridge said completion of the improvement project will enhance the farm's popularity to visitors.

“The farm is already one of the most popular spots in the park for out of town people, especially the American tourists,” he said.

“It is surprising to see how many letters the city receives from people who have visited the farm. They are surprised to see a park of this size and nature in the heart of a city. It gives urban kids a chance to see a side of rural life.”

Pumping Job Continues at Children’s Farm as Long-term Flood Solutions Considered

Sarnia Observer - October 23, 1986 P 21

It will be at least another two weeks before a group of popular north-end residents will be able to return to their flooded home.

That's the word from city parks director Tony Brenner who says pumping operations at Canatara Park's Children's Farm have been stepped up to 16 hours a day so the well-loved pets can return to the farm as soon as possible.

Record high rainfalls in the past several weeks forced the evacuation of animals from the 22-year old farm due to unsafe water and bacteria levels. Since October 1, the pets have been kept at a farm near Brigden and another just outside the city with only the ducks and geese remaining at the farm.

As a temporary solution to the problem, works crews have been pumping the excess water into the sanitary sewage system from where it is being treated at the water filtration plant before being discharged.

Mr. Brenner says it will likely be at least 30 days before water levels at the animal farm pond and at Lake Chipican can be lowered to proper levels.

“We're talking millions of gallons of water (which must still be pumped),” he said. “And a lot depends on the weather.”

Mike Gariepy, acting director of the Lambton Health Unit, said further bacteria level counts will be taken next week.

Mr. Brenner says city staff is still trying to work out long-term solutions to the flooding problems which will address both water quality and quantity concerns.

He said some possibilities include a system to mechanically move the water and a bubble system which will oxidize and keep the water moving.

But to improve the water filtration capacities of the farm and to develop a water control system could cost “anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000,” he said.

The service group hoping to help offset those costs is the Seaway Kiwanis Club which has made the animal farm its key project since the farm's inception.

Club president Ken Doan says improvements to the farm are the main aim of two fundraising drives the club has launched in hopes of raising about $20,000 towards farm improvements.

The club is currently selling cases of peanuts which Mr. Doan says will make ideal Christmas gifts and can be obtained from any club member.

The club will also be selling Trip of the Month tickets with the first draw in December offering buyers chances on winning a free trip or at least winning $100.

The club has already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the farm over the years and Mr. Doan says it will continue to be “our pet project.”

He says the club hopes the farm's water problems can also be aided by grants through the Agriculture Ministry and Ministry of Natural Resources.

Just last year, the Seaway Kiwanis donated $55,000 to the farm to build a new barn after security problems arose. Mr. Doan says the club expects to hear from city hall and engineers on the precise dollar needs for farm improvements and will then work towards achieving them.

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes: 1987

Committee members: C. Hocking (chairman), D. Levitt, D. Carpani, Mrs. F. Taylor, F. Burwell, D. Taylor, G. White, E. Hetu, Mrs. S. Gardener & Tony Brenner (Parks & Recreation Administrator).

January 28: Levitt expressed his concern for the number of unleashed dogs in Canatara & suggested a media campaign should be considered. Brenner noted that although a by-law is in place, the Department does not have an enforcement officer to provide patrols.

Hetu asked if Lake Chipican could be cleared for skating on the weekends. Brenner replied that due to the liability factor, the city has been advised against cleaning the ice as by doing so it invited the public to use the ice.

White inquired about the use of the landfill area in Canatara. Brenner indicated that the BMX track was being used “very sparsely”. The disc golf course however will be maintained as it is one of the few of its kind in Canada and is frequently used by several people. Taylor suggested that a sign should be installed to draw attention to this course, but Brenner stated that it is the policy of the Department to keep (43) signs in Canatara to a minimum,

Note: In January Tim Steadman became the caretaker at the Children’s Farm, as noted in the January 27 Observer article on the next page. In May Colleen Johnston replaced Tony Brenner as Parks & Recreation Administrator.

June 27: Johnston said that she has received numerous complaints of dogs running free in Canatara. The enforcement of the by-law is the problem. Johnston also indicated that the BMX track was being groomed and would be ready for use in July.

Hocking asked about the poor condition of the Citizen Garden Plots at Canatara. Johnston responded by saying that people are given a set of regulations when they take out a plot & the upkeep of the plots are monitored by the Parks staff & if necessary warning letters are sent out.

September 30: Johnston indicated that the BMX track was being well used. Johnston stated that from now on the P&R Committee will meet only when necessary, not on a monthly basis.

It’s feeding time at the Children’s Farm at Sarnia’s Canatara Park., but two residents couldn’t wait for farm attendant Suzanne Easton to get the food in, as they begin to nibble at a bale of straw. The pony, Abby, is with foal. There are few visitors, but the farm remains open all winter. Attendants say they feed the animals more than usual in winter since they won’t be receiving as many hand-outs from children who visit the farm

Lonesome Animal Farm Residents Waiting for Visitors

Sarnia Observer - January 27, 1987

by Paul Egan of The Observer

In winter, children are all that's missing from the Children's Animal Farm at Canatara Park.

The donkeys, the ponies, the cattle, the sheep, and the goats are there. So are the 13 rabbits, three peacocks, four turkeys, three partridges, seven pheasants, 28 chickens, four doves, five swans, eight Canada geese, 400-odd ducks, and around 60 pigeons.

But most days, there's no kids.

And the animals notice.

“It's easy to tell,” says Tim Steadman, who's looking after the farm for the city this winter. “You just stand back and watch for some children to come through to greet them. The donkeys and sheep and all are right up to the front of their pens.

“That's all we need right now, “he says. “We just need some more children to be out.”

But Mr. Steadman, 26, doesn't fault the children or their parents. “It's hard in this weather to expect families to come out to the Animal Farm,” he says.

Some do, even in the snow, and the Children's Animal Farm remains open all winter.

Other than the lack of visitors, not much else about life on the farm changes in the winter, as the animals are comfortable in hot or cold weather and there are plenty of coverings where they can escape the elements when they wish. “The animals get fed a little heavier, since they're not getting the handouts [from visitors],” Mr. Steadman said. Also, “it gives them a little bit of a layer of fat to help keep them warm.”

As for the birds, most of which are normally migratory, they have no reason to fly south from the Animal Farm, Mr. Steadman said. Birds go south to find food, not because they don't like cold weather, he said. Only the swan wings are clipped. “There's nothing for them to fly away from.”

As usual, spring will most likely see some new arrivals at the farm. Abby, one of the ponies, “has been running with Jake” and is likely to foal Mr. Steadman said.

Fine-tuning the temperature in the forced-air incubator is keeping Mr. Steadman busy, and he hopes baby chicks will be hatching in a little over a month.

Some lambs may also be born in the spring, he said.

Mr. Steadman only started at the farm on Monday, but he said he hopes to be there for a long time. He feels at home there, since he keeps many of the same animals at his own farm near Wyoming.

45

Historic Significance Would Pave Way for Grant

Sarnia Observer - November 28, 1988

Sarnia would become eligible for a provincial grant of up to $3,000 annually if the Canatara Park log cabin complex is designated as historically significant.

The funds would be used to do necessary restoration work on the century-old buildings.

The city became one step closer to gaining such a designation last week when local land surveyors Monteith and Sutherland Ltd. Volunteered its firm's services to prepare a survey of the properties.

City planner Lee Anne Doyle, who is an advisor to the city's heritage committee, hopes to have a report to present to city council December 5, seeking approval to proceed with the project. The city could then apply for funding under the province's Designated Properties Grant program.

A survey is required for funding approval.

Ms. Doyle says the log cabin complex which included the cabin, a smoke house, and carriage house was donated to the city in the late 1950s by Lorne Hay, a former city alderman and land developer. Mr. Hay made the donation as a bequest upon his death.

Originally built in the late 1800s in Goderich, the buildings were dismantled and floated down Lake Huron to be reassembled in Sarnia.

The Hays lived in the cabin and used the smoke house as a guest house. The bequest stated the complex was to be used as a recreational facility.

It has since become an integral part of such park festivities as Christmas in the Park.

Ms. Doyle said the buildings “aren't in very good shape.” They require painting, structural repairs, and roof work. The cabin roof needs replacing, she said.

46

Parks & Recreation Minutes: 1988

January 27: Johnston noted that the Kiwanis Club has offered to upgrade the Children’s Farm. A five year plan is being developed for their project.

Concerning the shortage and congestion of parking in Canatara when special events are being held, Johnston indicated that Sarnia Council had requested a report be prepared to consider the feasibility of another entrance into the park. (The report concluded that another entrance was not feasible).

April 6: Johnston mentioned that the IODE have donated money for the erection of a flag pole at the east entrance to Canatara Park. (In June this pole along with a stone & commemorative plaque, was installed).

Note: In November the Sarnia Planning Department was seeking to have the log cabin complex in Canatara Park designated a heritage site so that the City could apply for the provincial funds to restore the buildings as explained in the Observer article above.

47

Parks & Recreation Minutes: 1989

Committee members: Mrs. F. Taylor (Chairman), Mrs. M. Church, E. Hetu, J. Hansen, R. Moloy, R. Sage, Mrs. B. Shute, J. Cormier, Mrs. S. Gardener & Colleen Johnston (Parks & Recreation Administrator).

Note: In January, Ald. Brogden, revealed that Sarnia was once again considering the transfer of Canatara Park to the St. Clair Parkway, as described in the January 19th Sarnia Observer article on page 34.

February 22: Hugo Holland made a presentation opposing the transfer of Canatara Park to the St. Clair Parkway. See page 35

April 23: Hansen expressed concern about the difficulty of enforcing the speeding in Canatara and Johnston said she would talk to the Police Chief about this continual problem.

May 24: Church suggested that a spring clean-up in Canatara Park by volunteers should be organized and Johnston pointed out that this was already being done. Hansen suggested that additional parking should be created at Canatara to eliminate the problems (48) on Canada Day. Johnston noted that it was difficult to justify the expense for a need that is there only a few days of the year. The problem of speeding in Canatara was also discussed at length.

Note: In May Ald. Poore stated that the issue of speeding at Canatara was becoming a serious problem and Ald. Boushy said that greater police enforcement was necessary at the park. (See two Observer articles below).

Note: In June, W. Meeson complained about all the rubbish & trash that had been dumped in the dunes to the west of the Canatara bandshell as noted in the June 2nd Observer article on page 38. Also in June a citizens group calling itself the “Friends of Canatara” was formed. As described in the June 17 Observer item on page 38, its Chairman; D. Phippen, stated that his group wanted to keep Canatara Park in its present condition and was opposed to too much policing & regulations in the park.

June 28: Hanson noted that both the log cabin and former park office in Canatara Park were under-utilized. Johnston pointed out that it was a matter of getting groups interested in these facilities.

49

July 16: Johnston mentioned that the City had received a letter from the “Friends of Canatara” group which was asking that Canatara park remain unchanged and without commercialization.

Johnston revealed that the P&R committee will be disbanded at the end of 1990 when Sarnia and Clearwater amalgamate in January 1991, she did not know whether there would be a similar committee to which interested citizens could apply. (Since all of the 1990 minutes are missing and no P&R committee was created after 1990, these July 26 minutes are the last ones available.

NOTE: In September the City hired a contractor to remove the trash in the dunes to the west of the bandshell. In the process of removing the trash these dunes were levelled, which aroused a major protest from various park users, particularly the “Friends of Canatara” group. This issue was described in the Sarnia Observer articles on September 12, 13 & 18th as well as October 18 shown on pages 39 - 42 below. Also in September, Sarnia Council approved the installation of a water circulation system in the pond at the Children’s Farm

Note: in October Sarnia Council passed a motion to get a report on leasing ** Canatara Park to the St. Clair Parkway. (See London Free Press article on page 44 & Observer article on page 45.). However, in November the Parkway Commission decided that it was not in a position to take over Canatara Park as noted in the December 1st Observer item on page 46. (Since the St. Clair Parkway Commission no longer exists, this issue which surfaced in 1974, 1980 & 1989, is now dead and buried).

50

Canatara Park Transfer Eyed

Sarnia Observer - January 19, 1989 by Terry Easterby

CORUNNA The St. Clair Parkway Commission and the City of Sarnia are to study whether city-owned Canatara Park can be turned over to the Parkway.

Ald. Al Brogden, a city representative on the commission, Wednesday forwarded a year-old resolution from Sarnia council, asking the commission to study the possibility of the 100 hectare (262-acre) park becoming part of the parkway system. The commission agreed.

“Canatara Park correctly fits into the commission,” Ald. Brogden said. “You have to look at this in realistic terms. In Sarnia, the park is put up against roads and sidewalks when it comes time for expenses and the park always loses.”

Any transfer of the park should be conditional on no staff cuts or effects on features like the animal farm, Ald. Brogden said. “It would be wrong for us to go in, kick everything out, and then start over.”

Ald. Brogden said he expects the study can be completed by May or June. Since the park was willed to the city by a local citizen, it would be in “poor taste” to lose title to it, and it could be leased to the parkway like Centennial Park, he said.

The in-camera city council resolution, dated February 29, 1988, was tabled until Wednesday night's commission meeting for a “confidential” reason that will eventually be revealed, Ald. Brogden said. The original discussion was held in private because of the sensitive jobs issue, he said. Support on council was either unanimous or nearunanimous he said.

“There's no question,” commission chair Jack George told members, “the park fits in as a regional park. Canatara Park is not being used to its full potential, and we should explore the possibilities. Initially, there will be lots of work to bring it up to par.”

If the transfer occurred, Canatara would be the largest park in the parkway system.

Parkway general manager Robert Harrison said the study will tell if and how the transfer can occur and what it would cost the commission annually to maintain the park. “It would be the largest, but it would receive the same consideration as the other parks in the system,” he said.

The cost is not the reason Sarnia would like to transfer the park to the commission, Ald. Brogden said. But the park is not realizing its potential because it loses out to other city priorities, he said.

The idea of transferring the park to a conservation authority, the province or another body was discussed in 1980 and rejected, he said.

Although city council's resolution is a year old and there are five new council members since the November 14th election, Ald. Brogden said he didn't see a need to bring the issue back to council before raising it with the commission.

51

Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes

February 22, 1989 – Page 4

Mr. H.A. Holland made a presentation expressing his concern regarding the proposal to transfer the management of Canatara Park from the Sarnia Parks & Recreation Department to the St. Clair Parkway Commission. Mr. Holland stated Canatara is an unusual park for a city, containing a successful blend of nature and urban demands. The ecological system firmly established at Canatara should be preserved and protected and he is concerned this may not be a priority for the Parkway. Mr. Holland quoted Bob Harrison, Parkway Commissioner, from a newspaper article which stated, “The park is not being used to its full capacity …. therefore will be lots of work to bring it up to par”, which Mr. Holland feels is a dangerous statements at the parkway would destroy too much.

Mr. Holland also stated improvements could be made to the Point Edward entrance to Canatara Park in such a way the balance would not be disturbed.

Mr. Holland closed in saying Canatara Park is a valuable asset to the city and the city should retain control over the management of it.

Several committee members expressed their agreement with the remarks made by Mr. Holland.

In response to an enquiry made by E. Hetu, C. Johnston stated to date, neither the Parks & Recreation Committee or City Council has taken a position on this issue. City Council has instructed the Department and the Parkway to consider the feasibility of this matter.

C. Johnston stated the Department has always been careful to keep the natural areas of Canatara Park intact. Occasionally a citizen will call in complaining about the ungroomed areas of the park, but the caller usually appreciates the purpose of these areas once it is explained to them.

52

Speeding Cars at Canatara Concern For City Council

Sarnia Observer. May 27, 1989

Sarnia alderman Don Poore wants measures taken to put a stop to cars speeding in Canatara Park.

“I think it's dangerous and we need to get a better handle on it,” he said.

The city is awaiting a consultant's report on the park in June that Ald. Poore expects will address the speeding problem.

“If it doesn't, then something needs to be done,” he said. He suggested speed bumps are a possible solution, although he said he dislikes them.

“But if we can't put adequate enforcement in the park, then we must look at them,” he said.

Ald. Poore said Sarnia Police have had to direct manpower to cases with priority. Another possible solution for the park is to put the bulk of parking just northwest of the Children's Animal Farm, near the beach front, he said.

He said traffic could be directed there from Michigan Avenue and the current parking lot areas could be used for more park space.

Ald. Poore said he has received complaints from residents about noise and speeding in the park.

Sarnia Police Sgt. Dan Overy said the most common infractions of the city bylaws in the park have to do with excessive noise, speeding and vehicles going beyond the parking areas onto the grass.

There is a minimum $28.00 fine under the city bylaws with a maximum of $2,000.00.

Under the bylaw, vehicles are not supposed to exceed 20 kilometres anywhere in the park, including Lake Chipican Drive.

Sgt. Overy said the problems in the park are “perennial” and will likely continue as long as youths view the park as a place to meet.

He said there is not a peace keeping problem at the park.

There has been some controversy over the status of Lake Chipican Drive, where motorists tend to exceed the speed limit.

Sgt. Overy said there are residences on one side of the drive and the park on the other. Justices of the Peace in Sarnia, who levy the fines according to the bylaw, have tended to view the drive as a park road, he said.

That means police can't lay charges to motorists under the Highway Traffic Act, which would result in the loss of driving points.

City Police Planning Greater Enforcement at Canatara Park Sarnia Observer - June 1, 1989

by Paul Egan of The Observer

Replacing parking spaces at Canatara Park with basketball or volleyball courts may be an answer to screeching tires and rowdy youths at Canatara Park, city police say.

Ald. David Boushy, acting mayor, said he is referring the suggestion to staff today for study by the parks and recreation and traffic committees.

Meanwhile, police announced today a stepped-up presence at the park that is to officially begin this weekend.

Under a program developed by Deputy Chief Roland Phibbs, police in the north end will concentrate their enforcement on Canatara Park, the traffic division will take extra steps to address speeding in the park, plainclothes officers will look for liquor violations, periodic weekend RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs will be set up, and foot patrols will be introduced when manpower permits, Ald. Boushy said.

Ald. Boushy said the measures are in response to complaints he brought to the deputy chief's attention a week ago. Residents living near the park are complaining of speeding, screeching brakes, and other noise at the popular meeting place for area youths.

Deputy Chief Phibbs said today the idea of closing the westernmost of three sections of the main parking lot is only a suggestion, but one worth having a look at. Alternate parking space could be used elsewhere in the park, and the westernmost lot could be used for games like basketball or volleyball or throwing Frisbees, he said.

“I think it's a new approach to an old problem,” said the deputy chief. “We'd like to give (the youths) something to do to vent a lot of their ginger and steam.”

Ald. Boushy said, “we're not trying to drive off the young people, nor to spoil anyone's enjoyment at the park.

“We want to provide directions to our young people so they can enjoy the summer away from alcohol, away from drugs, away from noise and traffic, and just have good, wholesome enjoyment of the summer.”

Park 'eyesore' Targeted for Cleanup

Sarnia Observer - June 2, 1989

by Paul Egan of The Observer

Budget restraints are the reason the west end of Canatara Park doesn't look as good as it should, says parks and recreation administrator Colleen Johnston.

“We're going to do what we can with the funds we have,” she said in response to a public complaint about the park's appearance.

William Meeson of Point Edward said in a recent letter to the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce the west end of the park is “an unbelievable eyesore” that resembles the city dump.

Mr. Meeson mentioned a large amount of rubble strewn west of the Canatara Park band shell, including broken glass and furniture. Parks staff is dumping cut trees and sand in the area as well, he said.

“We have a park that at one end is graded, gladed and placaded, and the other is trashed royally,” Mr. Meeson said.

Ms Johnston said much of the area Mr. Meeson is complaining about is targeted for a future boat launching ramp. The boat launch, which has been bumped from city capital budgets in the past, is now targeted for 1991 in the department's five-year capital forecast at a cost of $325,000.

Ms. Johnston said staff is in the process of grading the parking lot, has hired extra staff to clean up Canatara this summer, and a group of area secondary school students has volunteered to spend a day cleaning up the park.

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Citizens Group Wants to Protect Present Character of Canatara Park

Sarnia Observer - June 17, 1989

by Paul Morden of The Observer

A group wanting to preserve and protect Canatara Park's traditional character has formed in Sarnia.

The Friends of Canatara held a founding meeting this month and are now looking to expand beyond the current membership of about 40 residents.

During the founding meeting recently, the members agreed to initiate a campaign to combat any attempts to disrupt or to alter the current use and general appearance of the park, chairman Doug Phippen said.

He said the group voiced strong opposition to the recommendation in a recent parks report to city council, particularly those suggesting any form of regulation of programming of park activities.

The report also suggested consideration of security at the park. The Friends of Canatara take exception to that as well. “People go to Canatara to relax and to enjoy themselves, whether it be on the beach, at the picnic tables, or on the wilderness trails not to be hassled by security guards or police,” said Mr. Phippen.

He added the only requirement for any police presence is simply to ensure no unruly conduct takes place infringing on other park users' enjoyment.

Mayor Mike Bradley said he doesn't think there would be much support among council members or local citizens for changing the nature of Canatara Park.

He added he supports any group wanting to preserve the nature of the park.

Mayor Bradley did say there may be some “undo concern about the development of Canatara.”

Mr. Phippen said a majority of the members of the group live more than a mile from the park. Those in the group living near the park indicated, except for occasional incidents, there is no conflict between park users and the residents near the park.

Mr. Phippen said the group will adopt a watchdog role, observing activities at the park to see how the facility is used and how visitors respect it.

Based on those observations, the group plans to make suggestions or proposals to city council from time to time.

Mr. Phippen said the group strongly opposes turning over administration of the park to the St. Clair Parkway Commission, an option mentioned in the past.

The group feels the park is a “civic trust” which the city must remain responsible for, to the people of Sarnia.

The group is charging a $10 membership fee and plans to gain status as a nonprofit organization.

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Canatara Habitat Destroyed

Cleanup Likened to Killing Mosquito with Shotgun Sarnia Observer - September 12, 1989

by Paul Egan of The Observer

Sarnians are outraged over a recent cleanup at Canatara Park in which vegetation and sand dunes were levelled with a bulldozer.

“It was like taking a 12-gauge shotgun to kill a mosquito,” said Doug Phippen, chairman of Friends of Canatara. “They've destroyed a habitat for many small wildlife.

“What according to my information could have, and I think should have, been done by hand or by manual labour has just been bulldozed.”

The area where the bulldozer was used is in the west end of Canatara Park. It's a dune area near the beach between the bandshell and a boat launch.

William Meeson of Point Edward, who asked for the cleanup after complaining about materials that were dumped in the area, said in a letter to Mayor Bradley he is “disgusted” with the results.

Mr. Meeson said the bulldozer destroyed centuries-old dunes and vegetation that's required to keep the sand from eroding. Meanwhile, he said, the debris he complained about has merely been buried.

“I said clean up, not seek and destroy, and create a new form of havoc,” he said. “People really have a right to complain about it,” said Ald. Terry Burrell. “It was one of our only natural areas . . . they scrapped it pretty good as far as I can tell.”

Colleen Johnston, administrator of the Sarnia parks and recreation department, said the city operations department was responsible for the work. “Parks did not step in to do the cleanup, nor did we supervise it,” she said.

A. J. Morrison, the superintendent of operations, did not return a telephone call from The Observer.

But Mr. Phippen said he blames parks. “Parks and recreation is responsible for whatever occurs in that park; not the works department,” Mr. Phippen said.

Ms. Johnston said the parks department plans to have some grading done and has ordered dune grass that it intends to plant. “I definitely want to see the area restored, “she said. Part of the area will be made a picnic site.

Mayor Bradley said the operations department sub-contracted the work to Don Severin Construction Ltd. of Clearwater.

“I was not pleased,” said the mayor. “I felt it could have been handled in a more sensitive manner. Canatara Park is considered a trust to the people of Sarnia and should be treated with as much sensitivity as possible.”

Bulldozing of Dunes Followed City Orders

Sarnia Observer - September 13, 1989 by Paul

Egan

The contractor who levelled part of the dune area at Canatara Park says he was told by the city to use a bulldozer.

In response to complaints from park users, Don Severin Construction Ltd. of Clearwater was hired by Sarnia operations department to clean up debris strewn in the west end of Canatara Park.

“They told us to dig a hole and bury it,” company president Don Severin said of the debris today. “They told us what to use and they told us what they wanted done there.”

“They said: 'We want a dozer,'” Mr. Severin said. “We don't want to do something like that on our own.”

Area park enthusiasts have complained the bulldozer destroyed centuries-old dunes and the unique vegetation required to keep the sand from eroding. Doug Phippen,

Friends of Canatara Park chairman Doug Phippen views damaged area of Canatara Park today. Observer photo by Glenn Ogilvie 56

of The Observer

chairman of Friends of Canatara, said the dune area near Lake Huron between the bandshell and a boat launch was a natural habitat for many small wildlife.

Mr. Phippen, chairman of Friends of Canatara, said the work should be done by hand. He compared use of a bulldozer to perform the cleanup to “taking a 12-gauge shotgun to kill a mosquito.”

A. J. Morrison, Sarnia's superintendent of operations, said today Mr. Severin's account of what happened is correct. He said a mistake was made by a parks operations employee who works at Canatara Park.

“A mistake was made,” Mr. Morrison said. “It's unfortunate, but there's not much we can do about it.”

Mr. Morrison said, “the dunes will be restored to the same basic profile it was before (the work) was started.”

Mr. Severin said he doesn't know who specifically his instructions came from. He said his men spent about a week on the job and he's heard no complaints from the city.

Asked if it seemed strange to use a bulldozer on the dune area, Mr. Severin said his company was there to follow instructions in return for hourly pay.

“None of it seemed strange to us,” he said. “If they had told us to go over and push down that bandshell, we would have gone over and pushed it down.”

Mr. Morrison said a bulldozer was required for the work and the job was subcontracted because Sarnia doesn't own one. But he said the work shouldn't have been done in the way it was.

Meanwhile, Mr. Phippen is calling for a moratorium on any further work at the park until city council considers a plan to be brought forward by his group, Friends of Canatara.

Friends of Canatara Plans Lawsuit Against City

Sarnia Observer – October 18, 1989

Friends of Canatara will incorporate as an non-profit organization so it can take legal action against the City of Sarnia.

Spokesman Doug Phippen said today members of the group are still angry after the bulldozing last month of a dunes area in Canatara Park.

By incorporating, the group will gain the needed legal clout to go after “those responsible for the desecration of the west end of the park”.

He said the cooperation should be complete within two weeks.

“Some members are almost nauseated by it,” he said of the flattened natural areas. “It was a real piece of bureaucratic bungling.”

He said three sources have given the group the name of a city employee who they feel was responsible for the decision.

At a meeting last night the group decided to investigate the creation of a trust fund to be administered by a board of trustees that would take over the park.

“We could thereby relive the city of its financial and administrative responsibilities.”

He estimated it now costs the city between $150,00 to $175,000 to operate the park. The annual interest on a $2-million trust fund would be used to contract out park maintenance.

Representatives from various groups using and interested in preserving the park would make up the board of trustees. The trust fund could be collected in a “one time” fund raising blitz he said.

Friends of Canatara also decided to urge city council to obtain an abandoned Canadian National Railway right-of-way and incorporate it into the park.

The group is concerned the right-of-way, which borders the park in Pt. Edward, will be used in the development of highrise apartments if it isn’t purchased soon.

Park Bulldozing Requires Probe

The Sarnia Observer - September 13, 1989

Someone must be held accountable for the bulldozing activities at Canatara Park. It's city council's responsibility to find out how this could have happened and to order the damaged area restored.

A bulldozer was used to clean up some debris. But in the process, dunes and vegetation were destroyed. The vegetation is required to keep the sand from eroding, so it is imperative that dune grass be planted to prevent further damage.

Doug Phippen, chairman of a group called Friends of Canatara, has accused the parks and recreation department for the destruction. “Parks and recreation is responsible for whatever occurs in that park,” he said.

But Colleen Johnston, administrator for the parks and recreation department, said the city operations department was responsible for the work. “Parks did not step in to do the cleanup, nor did we supervise it,” she said.

A. J. Morrison, the superintendent of operations, did not return phone calls from a reporter. But, according to Mayor Mike Bradley, the operations department subcontracted the work to Don Severin Construction Ltd. of Clearwater.

But what did staff tell Don Severin what to do with the park? No one seems to know or is willing to admit to having knowledge.

City Council should instruct city manager John Robertson to get to the bottom of this. There is no way this situation should have occurred.

William Meeson, of Point Edward, who asked for the cleanup of the park after complaining about materials that were dumped in the area, said in a letter to Mayor Bradley he is “disgusted” with the results. Not only were the dunes and vegetation destroyed, but the debris about which he complained was only buried, not cleaned up.

The mayor said he is not happy with the results of the cleanup, pointing out that, “it could have been handled in a more sensitive manner.” We couldn't agree more, but something must be done to ensure this type of thing doesn't occur again.

There is no way a contractor should have been allowed to bring a bulldozer into Canatara Park and begin flattening centuries-old dunes. Where were city staff who should have been overseeing the cleanup operation?

Now tax dollars are undoubtedly going to have to be spent repairing some of the damage. But the majority of city residents take pride in the park and would not want to see it deteriorate.

City council should demand some answers from their staff as to how this happened. Canatara Park is a precious source that must be protected.

Pond at Canatara Should be Cleaned

The Sarnia Observer - September 18, 1989

Sarnia council should give approval today to a proposed water circulation system for the Canatara Park Children's Farm pond area.

Parks and recreation administrator Colleen Johnston says “stagnant water conditions” have been a concern at the site for years.

It isn't difficult to see why. The pond is home to a large number of ducks and other animals and water movement is virtually non-existent. Animal droppings have created excessively high bacteria counts.

The problem came forcefully to public attention in 1987 when heavy rains forced overflows of contaminated water into picnic areas and a nearby playing field.

Mayor Mike Bradley is fearful that such problems could recur, threatening the health of park users.

Canatara is a major tourist attraction and the animal farm is a big part of its popularity. But its attraction could fade if the situation at the pond is allowed to get out of control. Indeed, as Ms. Johnston points out in a report to council the stagnant water “is resulting in ongoing complaints” from the public.

Cost estimates for a purification system vary from $74,000 to $90,000 with city manager John Robertson saying the lower figure is more accurate.

Offsetting the cost is a generous offer from the local Seaway Kiwanis club. The service organization will contribute $40,000 if the city goes ahead with the project this year.

However, the club has made it clear that it can't wait much longer for an answer. It first offered money for the project two years ago and, since that time, it has been facing growing pressure to fund other worthwhile community projects. As Ms. Johnston noted, the club is “requesting a reply as soon as possible regarding the city's intentions for the circulation system.”

She is recommending that council give approval to the project when it meets today. If that approval is forthcoming, the system could be in place before winter.

Besides solving an environmental concern, the system will enhance the beauty of the park because it will include a water fountain and pump to help circulate the water. “It will be esthetically pleasing,” Mayor Bradley said.

Swift action would also demonstrate that council is committed to properly maintaining Canatara. Public confidence in the city's ability to take care of the facility was severely shaken with news last week that a bulldozer had been allowed to destroy centuries-old dunes near lake Huron. The last thing council needs now is to display a lack of concern for water quality at the animal farm.

In the final analysis, the city has no choice but to proceed. If it fails to take action this year, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment may well step in and order a cleanup because, as the mayor says, the situation is a potential threat to public health.

Further delay will mean loss of the Kiwanis money and increasing cost to taxpayers. Clearly, the only option is to do the job now.

Sarnia Council

Alderman to Probe Merits of Leasing Canatara Park Environmentalists Oppose the Idea, Saying it Could be Detrimental to Wildlife

London Free Press - October 3, 1989

by Jane Sims The London Free Press

Wildlife activists are worried Sarnia council may be gambling with the natural areas at the city's Canatara Park.

In a 5-4 vote Monday night, council ordered the parks and recreation committee to prepare a report on the feasibility of leasing the park to the St. Clair Parkway Commission, which Alderman Al Brogden said would save the city thousands of dollars in maintenance.

But Arthur Teasell, a spokesman for the Friends of Canatara, a group of around 500 residents, told council that handing the park over to an outside manager would endanger the plants, birds, and animals that inhabit the area, particularly near Lake Chipican.

He said the commission could try to convert the fragile wildlife preserve into parkland. “We're afraid we are going to lose if we don't keep control of the park. I'd like you to keep the park in the hands of the Sarnia people.”

Teasell, an amateur photographer, showed council pictures of the herons, ducks, geese, wildflowers and animals he has seen and said his organization could help plan uses for the area.

He also said they would be willing to meet with parkway commission representatives. “We don't want to see them interfere with the wildlife.”

Alderman Pat O'Brien said he could not support Brogden's idea because Canatara has always been a part of the city. “It's a very emotional issue for Sarnia.”

Alderman Ron Gordon said the city could possibly build safeguards into a lease that would protect wildlife areas.

Canatara Care Transfer to Parkway to be Studied

Sarnia Observer, October 3, 1989

By Paul Eagan

The St. Clair Parkway Commission can give Canatara Park better care for less money than the city can, says Sarnia Ald. Al Brogden

But others say Sarnia would be making a big mistake if it gave up control of the park.

On Monday, in a 5 – 4 vote, council approved Ald. Brogden’s motion to get a report on leasing the park to the parkway commission.

The idea isn’t new, but Ald. Brogden has pointed to a recent incident in which a natural dune area was levelled by a bulldozer as evidence plans should be reactivated.

“The last time this came up I was opposed, “said Ald. Don Poore. “I guess I changed my position on that as a result of the bulldozer caper.)

Ald. Poore said city council in its “infinite wisdom” has put parks maintenance in the hands of the city operations department, which is “more used to maintaining roads and sewers” and “felt that really a bulldozer was a good way to clean up a park,” he said.

Ald. Brogden said because Sarnia pays only 12 per cent of the parkway commissions budget, the transfer would also save the city money.

“I’ve heard more than once in this chamber about the costs the province is putting on the municipality,” he said. “This is one we can reverse and put back on the province.”

But Ald. Terry Burwell said if the city has made mistakes in its treatment of Canatara, that shouldn’t be used as an excuse for transferring care of the park elsewhere.

“I feel that Canatara Park is the jewel in Sarnia,” he said. It’s our heritage and I think we should be looking after it.”

Ald. Don Fowlie agreed. “I feel that any effort on our part to have an outside interest manage the park would be an admission …. That we’re incapable of doing so, and I don’t believe we are,” he said.

Ald. Ron Gordon said Sarnia should at least look at the parkway’s plan. Ald. Brogden said the commission agreed two years ago to take over the park upon Sarnia’s request.

Art Teasell of Sarnia, a member of Friends of Canatara, said it is “one of the prettiest parks you will find anywhere,” and “I don’t want to see us lose control of it”. He said the parkway commission seems more concerned with keeping grass cut short than with wildlife.

Am amateur photographer, Mr. Teasell showed council coloured slides he’d shot of the wildlife at Canatara, including owls, herons, pheasants, egrets, and a wide variety of wildflowers. “This is what am afraid we are going to lose if we don’t keep control of the park,” he said.

Ald. Brogden, a member of the parkway commission, said it, “does not have a bulldozer attitude,” and Mr. Teasell’s fears are misplaced, “you should find out if the parkway is that much of an ogre as you think it is,” he said.

Canatara Park to Remain Under Sarnia's Control

Sarnia Observer - December 1, 1989

by Terry Easterby of the Sarnia Observer

The St. Clair Parkway Commission won't be taking control of Canatara Park from the City of Sarnia.

Members of the commission, during a special meeting on Thursday, said based on information in a report from general manager Bob Harrison, the parkway is not in a position to take over or consider taking over Canatara Park at this time.

Sarnia Ald. Al Brogden, who initiated discussions over control of the park in January, said he wasn't disappointed with the decision, but happy the idea managed to proceed this far.

He called the report “a germain start of an interesting exchange.” After seeing the park neglected for years, he felt the park needed “a different home.”

“I think there is an awareness now that a long-term plan in Sarnia has to be developed for the park,” added the alderman. “The next step now includes establishing plans for the future.”

Ald. Brogden called the year-long period of negotiations “an excellent exercise” to bring Canatara Park back to life, about its uses and its direction. “Maybe at some period in the future the parkway will be involved.”

Mr. Harrison, who was an architect of developing Canatara Park in the late 1950s while working with the city, said in his report the general condition of the park requires “upgrading and general improvement.” He said the park was always intended to be a passive and natural setting and not commercialized.

“The report is in no measure derogatory to the existing staff or administration. The condition,” he explained, “is the result of a lack of sufficient capital and operational funding.”

He admitted making one presumption in the report. “Before anything can be done, a management plan must be developed with input from all areas until one plan can be achieved to satisfy all.”

If the parkway had assumed control of Canatara Park, Sarnia would have had the most to gain. The $225,000 operating budget (1989) would have been split among four funding municipalities. The city and Lambton County would have each contributed $39,375, Kent County $25,312 and Chatham $8,438. Sarnia, which already contributes $181,452 to the parkway, would have realized a net savings of more than $186,000.

Commission chairman Jack George said any thought of taking over the park “is premature. The discussions of control of the park are at a very early stage. With a new city being created, maybe there will be a change in the whole scheme.”

County representative Mary Jane Marsh said the county is against the idea because Canatara Park is a “community park and “we have trouble believing it's a regional facility.”

“The county was willing to assist the city if Clearwater didn't become part of Sarnia but to support a community park would be wrong,” she added.

Moore Township Coun. Margaret Stacey said the commission already has a number of “outstanding projects with greater priority. To promise otherwise before they are completed would not be right.”

“There's a lot of sentiment attached to the park and to take it away from Sarnia would be like cutting off an arm.”

Chatham representative Larry O'Rourke said the council has not seen Mr. Harrison's report but would object to any proposal to take over control.

Sarnia Ald. Pat O'Brien told the commission he felt the parkway should take control. “I believe there is merit in the system and to turn this down flat would also be premature.”

He and Ald. Brogden were the only two commissioners who objected to the motion.

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Activities & Issues in Canatara: 1990

Canatara Management Plan Committee: In March 1990 the Parks & Recreation Department invited interested citizens and groups to join a committee for the purpose of developing a Management Plan for the park as described in the March 26 Observer article on page 50. The people who attended the first meeting were divided into seven groups, as mentioned in the March 28 Observer item on page 49. Each group was responsible for studying one of the following seven features of the park: wildlife, vegetation, facilities, beaches and dunes, picnic grounds, history and Lake Chipican. The groups spent the remainder of 1990 gathering data and writing a report concerning the specific feature they were researching

63

In April CNR revealed that it planned to develop the triangular property which Sarnia had been attempting to acquire as an addition to Canatara Park. (See map 6 Volume 7). As outlined in the April 18 Observer article on page 48, Sarnia officials and citizens wanted this parcel to become part of the park rather than be developed for residential purposes. The future of this property continued to be a major issue during the 1990’s as described in the following newspaper articles.

From April to June a washroom was constructed in the picnic grounds to the west of the ballfield. (In the mid 1990’s the Rotary Playground was built adjacent to this playground).

As explained in the May 3rd and June 26th Observer items on pages 50 & 51, Sarnia Council decided to make it illegal to possess alcohol in Canatara Park. This was done to reduce the incidents of unruly behavior’s that were occurring in the park.

In July signs were placed in the Children’s Farm warning people not to feed the animals. This was done to prevent people from being bitten by the animals when attempting to feed them.

In August health official speculated about the source of the recurring bacterial pollution at Canatara beach. Possible sources could be malfunctioning septic systems, contaminated storm sewers and agricultural or lagoon runoff from the Brights Grove area. A study by the Ontario Environment Ministry may be undertaken to investigate this issue.

Possible Loss of Canatara Property Concerns Alderman

Sarnia Observer - April 18, 1990

by Paul Egan of The Observer

Part of Canatara Park could be lost to high-rise development, says a city alderman. Sarnians should “rise up in arms” to make sure that doesn't happen, Ald. Don Poore said Tuesday.

The land in question, immediately south of the Children's Animal Farm, is owned by CN Rail but has been leased to the city as part of Canatara Park since 1938.

CN has recently removed its Point Edward spur line and declared its rail right-ofway in the village surplus land, he said.

The railway tracks ran north along Front Street, then curved westward along the southern edge of the park to cross Sandy Lane at 90 degrees.

Mayor Mike Bradley said he discussed the matter with Point Edward Reeve Bill Boyd in whose municipality the rail right-of-way lies last week. The 30-metre (100foot) rail right-of-way itself, from Sandy Lane to Michigan Avenue, is already zoned for residential use, he said. Ald. Poore said there is room for residential lots at the north end of Louisa or Arthur streets.

The other part, a triangular section around the curve in the rail line which Sarnia leases as part of Canatara Park, is zoned for open space, Mayor Bradley said. Ald. Poore said he believes the triangular section covers around two acres and “it's big enough for a substantial high-rise building.”

Ald. Poore said he opposes development on either parcel. Homes on the right-ofway could scuttle plans for a cycling trail linking Sarnia's waterfront to Canatara, he said.

CN wants to sell the land and wants “maximum value,” Mayor Bradley told council. “I'd be very concerned if we lost that land.”

Reeve Boyd confirmed Tuesday the basic facts outlined by Mayor Bradley and Ald. Poore and said CN won't even promise the village the first chance to buy the surplus land.

“They can sell it to anybody they want,” said Reeve Boyd. “We thought we had a commitment that we'd get first choice, but the new fellow we're dealing with [at CN] doesn't agree with that.”

Reeve Boyd said he could support residential development on the CN lands that don't require a zoning change, adding construction of homes on the right-of-way would still leave room for a walking trail into the park. It's too early to say whether he'd support a zoning change for the land the city leases from CN, which is now zoned open space, he said.

“I can't judge a question that hasn't been put before council,” he said. “I have to look at what the people say they want.”

Doug Phippen, a spokesman for Friends of Canatara, said residential development along the southern extremity of the park would “destroy Canatara” and has been “a very definite concern” with him.

“That triangular section has been a wildlife sanctuary for some time,” said Mr. Phippen. If development was approved on it, “I think we could count on at least 500 angry citizens at least.”

Council authorized staff to express interest in buying the land.

CN should be turning the land over the city and not trying to maximize its return, Mr. Phippen said.

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City of Sarnia Parks & Recreation Department

Canatara Park Management Plan

The City of Sarnia, Parks and Recreation Department, under the direction of the City Administration, will be taking the lead in coordinating a working committee comprised of interested citizens willing to devote their time and efforts towards the completion of a management plan for Canatara Park.

Community groups presently liaising with the Department will be contacted by letter, c/o the group president, requesting that, where interested, a representative be selected to sit on a working committee. Any groups that have not received a letter before March 16, 1990, should contact Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department.

Interested individuals in the community not associated with any groups are welcome and are asked to confirm their intentions to attend the initial meeting.

The initial meeting of the working committee will be held Tuesday, March 27, 1990 at 7:00 at the Sarnia Kinsmen Community Centre, 666 Lakeshore Road, Sarnia.

Confirmation of attendance for this meeting will be received at Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department, 332-0330 Ext. 200, before March 22, 1980.

Department staff will be in contact with those interested prior to the meeting to determine areas of interest.

Colleen Johnston Administrator Parks & Recreation

Canatara plan – Observer March 28, 1990

Volunteers are “ready to roll” on a plan for the protection and preservation of Canatara Park, according to parks and recreation administrator Colleen Johnston.

In order to prepare a park management plan, the volunteers have been divided into seven study groups which have specific responsibilities like the beach and boat-launching ramp.

The overall objective is a plan that will ensure “continued harmony” among the park's different uses, she said.

Each group has six to eight members who represent a cross section of the people concerned about the park's long-term health.

Committee to Develop Canatara Park Plan

Observer March 26, 1990

Work on developing a management plan for Canatara Park gets under way Tuesday with a meeting at the Sarnia Kinsmen Centre on Lakeshore Road.

Rather than hire an outside consultant, city council has asked staff to establish a committee with representation from interested citizens and groups to complete the plan.

Colleen Johnston, administrator of Sarnia's parks and recreation department, said she sees the plan, once completed, as a tool city council can use when setting policies related to Canatara Park.

“It's more studying what we have and having that as a guide,” said Ms. Johnston. “We can use that to determine where we want to go.” The management plan will include an inventory of existing park features and facilities, list deficiencies and assets, and provide suggestion on “protecting and enhancing” the park, she said.

In order to get input from all interested park users, the committee's work should span all four seasons, she said. Ms. Johnston hopes to have a report ready for what will then be Sarnia-Clearwater council in February of 1901.

Several private citizens and representatives of local groups have asked to sit on the committee, she said.

The first meeting, which starts at 7 p.m., will deal with history of the park, identify its physical boundaries, outline the goal of the plan and the parameters of the committee, and determine areas of interest of committee members, she said.

CANATARA PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

To those interested individuals who wish to join the Working Committee for the management plan on Canatara Park, this will act as a reminder of the initial meeting being held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 1990. This meeting will take place at the Kinsman Community Centre, 656 Lakeshore Road, Sarnia.

For those who might have missed our last advertisement, please confirm your interest and attendance at the Sarnia Parks and Recreation Department 332-0330, Ext. 200 before March 22nd.

66

Alcohol Ban Planned to Curb Canatara Park Rowdyism

Sarnia Observer - May 3, 1990 by Paul Egan of The Observer

As it tries to stop rowdyism, the local police commission wants to ban the transport of alcohol into Canatara Park.

It's already illegal to drink in the park, but Sarnia-Clearwater police don't have the authority to stop youths entering the park with their cars loaded with booze, Insp. Bill O'Brien told the commission Wednesday.

The alcohol ban was the answer coming from a meeting at which commissioners considered everything from closing Canatara to vehicles at 9 p.m. to calling in the military.

The debate was the fallout from an unseasonably warm weekend during which police had to clear the park on four consecutive nights. At one point last Thursday, there

were as many as 600 youths gathered in the parking lot area and three fights were in progress Insp. O'Brien said.

Police set up highly visible RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) checks in the park Friday and Saturday nights “as a deterrent,” Insp. O'Brien said. During the checks police noticed many of the youths had alcohol in their vehicles, but “there's nothing police can do about that,” he said.

Once the alcohol is inside the park, it's easy for youths to sneak it out of the cars and find a way to drink it, he said.

“We may need to take a look at a bylaw . . . to see if we can preclude liquor from being taken into the park,” said Sarnia-Clearwater Police Chief Jack MacLaughlan. “It's not being taken in there simply as a convenience on the way home from the liquor store”

As well as asking city staff to draft such a bylaw, the commission agreed to the following:

• ask the city's parks and recreation department to consider hiring security guards to supplement the police on problem weekends.

• have the city solicitor research what authority police have to close the park and recommend whether a bylaw should be passed to set out that authority more clearly.

Police have traditionally turned a blind eye to families peacefully drinking wine or other light beverages during reunions in the park's picnic area. The commission asked that the bylaw be drafted so it wouldn't interfere with family picnics.

Although police had to clear the park on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, relatively few charges were laid, Insp. O'Brien said. “They were testing the place,” he said of the youths gathered in the parking lot area. “We showed the colours and I think we did that effectively. Our enforcement was slight.

“What we did was babysit for the weekend. I hope that this is not the trend for the rest of the summer.”

“So do I,” said Clearwater Coun. Jim Foubister. With police working 20 hours of overtime Friday night and 25 hours on Saturday, “that's expensive babysitting.”

Commission chairman Joan Link suggested the park be closed to vehicles after 9 p.m., while vice-chairman Sylvia Foreman said, “I just wonder about activating some of our military reserve people.”

But other commissioners said they were concerned about over-reacting to a problem that has peaked and ebbed for decades.

“I don't think we should anticipate that it's going to happen every weekend,” said commissioner Ken Burchill. “I don't think we want to be into a confrontational thing.”

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said police should only clear the park before closing time in extreme circumstances. “I don't think that 98 percent of the community should have their access to that park changed or denied simply because of the actions of a minority,” said the mayor.

Canatara Booze Ban Set to Help Curb Rowdyism

Sarnia Observer - June 26, 1990

by Paul Egan of The Observer

Drinking has always been prohibited in Canatara Park, but it's now also illegal to possess alcohol there.

City council voted Monday to ban alcohol from the park in response to police concerns about controlling summer rowdyism.

However, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said he doesn't feel the new bylaw will remove police discretion to look the other way when a little wine or beer is consumed at a family picnic.

“We have officers who have other priorities, but also have the common sense to make a judgment call,” Mayor Bradley said after the meeting.

Sarnia-Clearwater police blamed alcohol when they had to clear the park three times in one weekend this spring. Although police set up RIDE checks at the entrance to the park, they couldn't stop youths from bringing alcohol into the park unless they saw them drinking it.

In a report to council, city solicitor Valerie McGarry said the alcohol ban won't prevent the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario from issuing permits for special occasions when consumption of alcohol is permitted.

However, some aldermen said council's action may deter tourism and Mayor Mike Bradley broke a 4-4 tie to approve the motion.

It's “quite legal” in parts of the United States to take a six-pack of beer on a picnic, and many visitors expect to be able to do the same here, said Ald. Don Poore. “It does not appear to be a problem to anyone, and I would hate to see the liquor act and/or this bylaw applied against people who are really not creating any problems for anyone.”

Ald. Patrick O'Brien agreed there's no need to outlaw “a glass of beer on a hot day.” Sarnians are “taxed to death, they're over-regulated, there are so many bylaws they can't make a move,” he said.

But Ald. John Kowalyshyn said council's motion didn't go far enough because it should stipulate that police charge persons found with alcohol, not merely eject them from the park.

Ald. David Boushy said the measure is needed to make Canatara a family park again. “When [the police] want to preserve the peace, I don't want to stand in their way,” he said.

Aldermen Kowalyshyn, Boushy, Ron Gordon and Don Fowlie and Mayor Bradley voted in favour of the motion while Aldermen Poore, O'Brien, Terry Burrell and Al Brogden were opposed.

“I don't think it's particularly onerous,” Mayor Bradley said of the bylaw.

“This is a tool to deal with the substantial problem they have there with under-age drinking and the parking lot situation.”

67 Observer articles removed (still in binder)

68 Activities and Issues in Canatara: 1991

Note: In January, when Sarnia and Clearwater amalgamated, Terry McCallum became Director of Community Services, which included overseeing the Parks & Recreation Department. In this new arrangement Colleen Johnston became Director of Parks.

In February Sarnia purchased a 300-foot by 75-foot strip of property from the CNR, as noted in the February 19th Observer article on page 70. This parcel, which is coloured yellow on Map W5, is a small portion of the 6.09 acre section of the CNR right-of-way which ran through Canatara Park that Sarnia leased in December 1938. (See Map S2, Volume 6). In June 1963 Sarnia purchased the 4.3 acres that comprised the eastern two thirds of this right-of-way. (See Map V, Volume 7). The western third of the leased rightof-way (69) which included about 1.8 acres, was located in the northern part of the CNR triangular property. Since the CNR wanted to retain most of this 1.8 acre parcel for its planned residential development, Sarnia was able to obtain only the small sliver of land shown on Map W5. It contained the western end of the service road that ran from the Children’s Farm to the main park road south of the ballfield.

Also in February, Point Edward purchased a 30-foot wide strip on the north side of the right-of-way stretching westward from the foot of Louisa Street to Alfred Street, as shown on Map W5. In 1994 an asphalt walkway was constructed on this parcel. On the southern 70 feet of the right-of-way three houses were constructed, as marked on Map W5.

At a meeting on May 30 in Point Edward, CN real Estate presented its plans for a 50 house development in the triangular property, as described in the May 31st Observer article on page 54, as well as shown on Map T2. While Village officials generally supported this project , many residents, as well as Sarnia officials, were strongly opposed, as indicated in several Observer articles on pages 55 to 59.

On June 24 Point Edward Council **approved the rezoning of the triangular land to allow the development to proceed. However, long-time residents pointed out that there had once been an industrial dump adjacent to this property and the Ministry of the Environment indicated that an investigation would have to be carried out to determine what pollution problems existed at the site before any development occurred.

**from page 74 in the binder.

70

Walkway Assured

Sarnia Observer - February 19, 1991 P 13

Land deals negotiated by the city, Point Edward, and CN Rail assure the public will be able to follow public walkways from beneath the Blue Water Bridge to Centennial Park, said Sarnia-Clearwater Mayor Mike Bradley.

The city has purchased a 91.4 metre by 22.9 metre (300-foot by 75-foot) piece of land immediately south of the Children's Farm in Canatara Park from CN for $23,000, Mayor Bradley said.

Point Edward has purchased part of a 9.1-metre (30-foot) right-of-way from CN that is near the park west of Louisa Street, he said.

For its part, CN will promise to keep a right-of-way leading out of Canatara toward Centennial Park set aside as a public walkway, the mayor said.

And the city will withdraw its objections to four severances planned in Point Edward for land fronting on the right-of-way west of Louisa, he said.

“Eventually, it means that we will have a walkway from under the Blue Water Bridge directly to Centennial Park we practically do now,” he said.

Negotiations for a larger, triangular section of land near the animal farm which CN presently leases to the city haven't begun, Mayor Bradley said. The Friends of Canatara and others have expressed concern the land is slated for highrise development. “It's a separate issue, but it's going to be one that will bring considerable debate,” he said. “That's for another day.”

Meeting Planned

Sarnia Observer - February 26, 1991 P 9

A meeting will be set up shortly to launch plans for the development of the walkway area the village recently acquired from CN Real Estate. The former CNR rightof-way that winds along Canatara Park will be discussed by representatives of the Lambton County Planning Department, Point Edward, the St. Clair Parkway Commission, and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Reeve Bill Boyd said. The committee will also look at plans for the 13 acres of parkland the village has agreed to purchase from CN Real Estate. Although a final agreement has not been signed and the purchase price has yet to be divulged, the Crown corporation has started removing the metal storage huts on the property now destined for parkland north of the Blue Water Bridge.

Trees on Order

POINT EDWARD - Village council decided Monday to purchase 50 evergreens from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. For around $500.00, the village will receive white cedars, black cedars and Norway spruce in the spring for planting along waterfront parkland and the newly-purchased CN right-of-way skirting Canatara Park. The conservation authority was able to offer the trees to area municipalities at a cut-rate for orders larger than 25.

Development Near Canatara Fought

Sarnia Observer - May 31, 1991 P11 by

Cathy Dobson of the Sarnia Observer

Ken Tomkins is willing to put up $10,000 of his own money to ensure Canatara Park is protected from a proposed residential development by a buffer zone. He was one of about 55 people attending a public meeting Thursday night at the community hall to examine a proposed official plan amendment and zoning bylaw amendment which will clear the way for a 50-house development at the northeast end of the village. Another 45 attended an open house during the afternoon.

CN Real Estate wants zoning changed from open space to single residential for the 4.4 hectare (10.8 acres) of land it owns at the north end of Front Street, adjacent to Canatara Park. The piece of land is a triangular shape and once accommodated two railway tracks.

Mr. Tomkins said he is worried that housing will impose on the privacy of Canatara Park. He said a nine-metre (30-foot) walkway and a line of trees between the roadway and the park as outlined in the proposal, are not enough.

“If I had it my way, there'd be at least a 50-foot (15-metre) strip between the roadway and the park,” he said.

Few people were in support of any development and most spoke out against it.

CN Real Estate's zoning application has been submitted to council and will be considered at the next planning board meeting on June 10. Reeve Boyd said there is no longer time for residents to make further objections about the amendments.

“We've received no written submissions and this public meeting was to hear any concerns,” he said.

If rezoning is approved and the planning process continues, CN Real Estate officials estimate it will be two to three years before construction starts to service the property.

Reeve Boyd said all members of council have indicated they are in favour of the proposal.

71

Many Village Residents Opposed to Residential Development Plan

Few residents were in support of a proposed residential development on CN lands adjacent to Canatara Park here and most spoke out against it at a public meeting Thursday evening.

“My concern is that the land is really part of the park,” Bill Meeson said. “And the area is too small for so many houses. They're trying to put a foot into a shoe that's too small.”

According to CN Real Estate planning consultant Patrick Sweet, lot sizes vary from a minimum of 465 square metres (5,000 square feet) to more than 557 square meters (6,000 square feet).

Mr. Meeson also said he is confident the land is unsuitable for development because of its history as a dumping site.

One of the Chemical Valley plants dumped industrial waste including large drums filled with “God knows what” on the property throughout the 50s, Mr. Meeson said. His concerns were echoed by a number of other residents. The triangle is adjacent to a former city dump site. “What will happen if you get seepage from the old dump?” Mary Jo Bennett asked. “What will happen if you discover unacceptable levels of toxins or pollutants? Do we have your guarantee as reeve of Point Edward that you will put our safety first?”

But Reeve Bill Boyd said he has lived in the village all his life and is unaware of any industrial or garbage dumping on the site.

Susan Rogers, legal representative for CN Real Estate, said her client had never heard of any dumping concerns prior to the public meeting.

“We took a very, very preliminary look at the soil and were confident enough to continue with the planning process,” she said. “But, chances are good that the ministry (of environment) will insist on an environmental assessment. No developer would go in there without soil tests first.”

Deputy Reeve Dick Kirkland also said he does not believe any dumping ever took place within the 4.4 hectare (10.8 acres) triangle.

Sarnia Observer - May 31, 1991 P11 by Cathy Dobson of The Observer

The proposal calls for an extension of Front Street that would meet and extend past Ernest Street and end in a cul-de-sac. Another street would be constructed off Louisa Street, heading east, and also end in a cul-de-sac.

Several residents said they objected to Front Street meeting Ernest, making what is now a dead end, into a throughway.

On that point, Reeve Boyd said council will reconsider the proposal. “I have no problem with leaving Ernest the way it is, but we'll have to see what the rest of council says.”

Ms. Rogers said CN will “possibly reconsider the road pattern” in reference to Ernest Street.

The vegetation and wildlife present on the site was examined by a consulting firm hired by CN Real Estate to address questions about preserving the natural environment. Brad Bricker of Ecoplans, which tabled a report in April, told residents the land is “rated low in botanical quality” and that any development will not have a significant impact on present wildlife. He also said there are no walnut trees in the area as had been suggested previously.

About 55 people gathered at the community hall to voice their opinions about a proposed residential development slated for Point Edward. CN Real Estate which owns the lands wants to see 50 single houses built on the site that is adjacent to the walking path and Canatara Park. Objections ranged from concern about the loss of trees to the possibility of toxic waste. Reeve Bill Boyd explained the concept to residents.

1991 Subdivision Plan for CN Triangular Property

Plan Approved For Homes Next to Canatara Park

Sarnia Observer - June 25, 1991

by Cathy Dobson of The Observer

POINT EDWARD - With a show of hands, village council approved the rezoning and official plan amendment of a controversial piece of CN-owned land Monday and moved one step closer to a major residential development.

However, the City of Sarnia-Clearwater has already indicated it will table a complaint against the proposed 50-house development next to Canatara Park. Anyone else wishing to formally object to council's rezoning has 30 days to file a written complaint. Meanwhile, it's up to the provincial Ministry of Housing to give final approval to the official plan and zoning changes.

CN Real Estate wants zoning changed from open space to single residential for the 4.4 hectares (10.8 acres) of land it owns at the north end of Front Street, adjacent to Canatara Park.

The city is concerned the development will infringe on the park and has raised questions about the environmental safety of the land.

At a public meeting in May, several area residents voiced concern about the loss of the green space and complained that the development will encroach on the beauty of the park.

But village councilors insisted Monday that by pursuing the development, they are acting in the best interest of the majority of Point Edward residents.

“We only heard from four people at the public meeting (May 30) who didn't want the development,” said Coun. Larry MacKenzie.

Approximately 55 people attended the meeting and no one spoke in favour of the project.

“The unfortunate thing in these matters is that the people who support it, aren't the ones you hear from,” Coun. MacKenzie said.

CN hopes to build about 50 houses on land located north of Front Street. While details of the plan are still in the preliminary stages, county planners have reviewed the proposal and made suggestions to improve on it.

Both the planners and village council agree that Ernest Street should remain a culde-sac and not be joined with Front Street as was originally proposed.

Several councilors have also gone on record saying they want a buffer area between the houses and the park.

Coun. Paul Sokol said he wants lot sizes to be increased. The CN proposal calls for lots that are 5,000 to 6,000 square feet each.

Already, the Ministry of the Environment has alerted council by way of a letter, that it will investigate any development plan for the property.

That letter came as a surprise, said Deputy Reeve Dick Kirkland. “We don't usually hear from the MOE first. They usually wait until they're notified.”

Some area residents have suggested the CN land is contaminated by industrial waste dumped there many years ago.

Those kind of environmental concerns will be thoroughly addressed before any development is approved, the deputy reeve stressed.

“We want to do what's best for the village,” he said.

Reader's Opinion

Must be stopped

Sir:

Mayor Mike Bradley's recent opposition to the proposed rezoning and expansion of a property at the north end of Front Street, abutting Canatara Park, must be upheld and strongly supported.

The proposed development of the approximate 10-acre parcel of land in Point Edward can only be viewed as a malicious encroachment on Canatara Park. The development must be prevented from happening.

The plan, apart from being ill-conceived and force-fed to the residents of Point Edward by Reeve Boyd, must be stopped and any and all manner of protest must be used to prevent its ever coming to be.

The plan calls for the development of land to within 30 feet of what are now the washrooms for the children's farm! In no way can this excess development be of any benefit to the wellbeing of the park as we know it today!

Reeve Boyd has shown a total disregard for the wellbeing of the park by asking that this development be given the blessing of the Ontario Municipal Board. This seems all too typical of a politician who has lost his sense of value and worth to his community and to those who have elected him.

Soon the elections for mayor and reeve, as well as council members, will be here. Because of the major impact on the park and surrounding neighborhoods by this development, I believe that it should become an election issue. The constituents of Sarnia-Clearwater and Point Edward should vote on whether they think this proposed development should proceed.

As it now stands, we have a group of concerned citizens who appear powerless in the face of political opportunism. Their voices must also be heard, not just the aspirations of a reeve whose only wish is to develop for the sake of tax revenue and perhaps to aid the developers in their quest for profit.

It cannot be denied that this would be an ideal residential area, but then, for that matter, so would any park setting. It is the preservation of the “green” spaces which will set this and all communities like ours apart from the others. There are scarce enough areas today where humanity can enjoy nature without interference.

Let's vote with our hearts and preserve this small space as it is for future generations.

Louis J. Spizzirri

Point Edward

74

Canatara Management Plan Committee

During the spring and summer the seven groups compromising this committee continued to examine various aspects of the park. The group examining the park vegetation produced a pamphlet for identifying the many types of trees located in the Tarzanland

woodlot, as reported in the Observer article below. (Both the short and long versions of this pamphlet are provided in the addendum of this volume).

From page 76 in binder.

Volunteers Prepare Guide to Identify Trees at Canatara

Paul Egan of the Observer September 1991

Do you know your hawthorn from your flowering dogwood?

A walk through a wooded area at Canatara Park can now be more than just exercise and relaxation. It’s education too.

Volunteers involved in creating a management plan for Canatara have prepared a trail map and guide book to help identify 35 different native trees found in the 8.8-hectare (22 acre) tract known as Tarzanland.

The area, located between Cathcart Boulevard and Michigan Avenue just west of Christina Street, is an excellent example of the Carolinian forest that used to cover most of southwestern Ontario, local naturists say.

“It’s a pretty good sample of what the woods were like before the white man arrived.,” said John Tiedje, who has enjoyed Tarzanland, with his wife Dorothy for 45 years.

“I don’t know where you can go to see such a nice collection of big oak trees,” said Mr. Tiedje. But while “most people know there are some oaks in there, after that I think there are very few people who know the names of the trees.”

But now, in Tarzanland and elsewhere in the park, small number tags which correspond to an accompanying guide have been inconspicuously attached to trees near the foot paths. In all, 45 different types of trees found in Canatara have been tagged.

Art Teasell undertook the project with the help of the Tiejes, his brother John, and Jack Fraser.

Trees in Tarzanland include five varieties of oak, three of ash, three of cherry, two of birch, and four of maple. There are also many examples of beech, ironwood, butternut, hawthorn, elm, and basswood.

A one-page guide to the trees will be available at the entrance to Tarzanland, said director of parks and facilities Colleen Johnson. A more detailed guide can be picked up at city hall.

Mr. Teasell, the Tiedjes, and about 60 other volunteers have been involved in thepreparation of a management plan for Canatara, which will be presented to the public at a meeting in city council chambers Oct. 16, Ms. Johnson said.

The 75-hectare (185 acre) park is about 50 per cent developed and 50 per cent natural, and “one thing that the research pointed out very clearly is that people like the park the way it is,” she said. What (the committee) would like to see is that balance preserved, with existing facilities maintained and upgraded.”

Mrs. Tieje has made a list of the biggest trees in Lambton County. Tarzanland has a bur oak with a 107-centimeter (42 inch) diameter, and many other large trees, including the county’s biggest muscle beach and biggest white birch.

“The more you get to know these trees the more fun it is,” Mr. Tieje said. “It’s a tremendous reaction. It looks hopeless at first (to tell the trees apart), but, it’s not.

Those who like to hike the nature trails at Canatara Park can now learn some botany at the same time. Thirty-five different types of trees found in Tarzanland, and another ten found elsewhere in Canatara, have been inconspicuously tagged by a group of volunteers led by Art Teasell, shown here at the entrance to the trails. An accompanying guide can be picked-up at the community services department at city hall.

….. continued from page 75 in binder

At a public meeting on October 16, 1991 each group presented a list of recommendations concerning the future management of the seven features of the park they had studied. Once Sarnia Council approved in principle the general thrust of these proposals, the Community Services Department asked those committee members who indicated a continued interest to assist in implementing some of the Management Plan recommendations. As described below, this group had its first meeting in February 1992.

In the summer of 1991 CNR installed eight observation wells along the border between its triangular property and the Canatara Landfill. (See the eight “LL” boreholes on Map W2). These wells revealed that there was high concentrations of methane gas being emitted from this section of the landfill. Since this methane gas problem could jeopardize CN’s development plans in its triangular property, it put pressure on the Environment Ministry to have Sarnia quickly deal with this issue, as noted on both the December 20 Observer article and the December 23 editorial below.

From page 77 in binder

City Taking Immediate Action About Methane Gas at Landfill

Sarnia Observer – December 20, 1991

By Scott Stephenson of the Observer

The city of Sarnia-Clearwater will take immediate action to address concerns over the presence of methane gas at its former landfill.

Mayor Mike Bradley said Thursday the city will hire an engineering consultant to “assess the problem of methane gas and deal with it as quickly as possible.”

Mayor Bradly said the Ministry of Environment expressed serious concerns about the presence of methane gas at the former landfill, located across from Canatara park Children’s Farm, during a meeting Wednesday with city officials and representatives from Canadian National Railways.

“We’ve decided to take immediate action. It (methane) is not a problem right now but it is a concern,” said Mayor Bradley. “Methane has been a problem in other communities. We just want to move as quick as we can to address the concerns now.”

Mayor Bradley said the city will look at hiring a consultant over the next two weeks to assess the methane gas concerns.

Orrie Wigle, district officer with the ministry’s Sarnia-Clearwater office, said the ministry has concerns over the high concentrations of methane gas detected in observation wells installed around the property by CNR, an adjacent landowner.

Although CN’s report, which is the basis of the ministry’s concerns, does not deal with a defined area, Mr. Wigle said “methane gas is one of the prime concerns of all former landfill sites. It can continue to build up to potentially explosive levels.”

As a result, “the ministry feels it should be addressed now, over the long term” rather than waiting for completion of a $150,000 decommissioning study the city is conducting on how the former landfill site can be returned to normal use.

“The methane issue needs to be clarified as to the type of control devices needed,” said Mr. Wigle.

Mr. Wigle said the city was asked to make the methane gas issue a priority in dealing with the landfill. The work being done in the decommissioning study will define the problems, how they should be addressed and set out a time frame to clean up the dump site, he said.

“We’re just asking the city to move it (methane) up and address it now,” said Mr. Wigle.

He dump was in operation in the city from the 1930’s until 1958. Point Edward and the CNR are interested in developing a subdivision on lands adjacent to the former landfill. But, before they can go ahead, they need to know what impact the old dump will have on their plans.

Reports show there is oil and combustible gases present at the site. However, it isn’t known if the land can be treated cheaply, with some clay laid down, or more expensively, with a leachate collection system, oil separation and gas venting system.

Mr. Wigle said it is expected engineering consultants will be hired to study the methane gas problem early in the new year. Preliminary indications are the decommissioning study will be completed and a plan in place to address the clean-up operation by mid-1992.

Funding for both studies will come from the city’s environmental reserve fund.

From page 78 in binder

Methane Gas a Major Problem

Sarnia Observer – December 23, 1991

Sarnia-Clearwater council needs to place the cleanup of the former city landfill at the top of its list of priorities for the new year.

Society’s history of landfill wastes came back to haunt the city last week when the Ministry of the Environment raised concerns over the presence of methane gas around the former landfill, located near Canatara Park Children’s Farm.

As a result, plans for development of a subdivision by the Village of Point Edward and CN Rail on lands adjacent to the landfill are in danger of being shelved unless the site can be cleaned up.

Although the city had already commissioned a study to find out how the former landfill can be restored to normal use, the ministry recommended last week a second

study be undertaken to assess the methane gas situation on its own and recommend solutions to the problem.

The presence of methane gas around old landfill sites is not uncommon. However, Orrie Wiggle, district officer for the ministry’s Sarnia-Clearwater office, said the “high concentrations” of methane gas detected in observation wells, installed by CN Rail around the site, is a concern because of the potential buildup of the gas to “explosive levels”.

Incidents of explosions and dangerous levels of methane gas building up in basements near old landfill sites have been reported across North America. But, a similar incident does not have to happen here.

Mayor Mike Bradley said the city is taking immediate action by hiring a consultant to study the methane gas situation “before it becomes a problem.”

But studying the issue is only one step in rectifying the situation. Council must be willing to go all the way in implementing the consultant’s recommendations or it will have been a wasted effort.

The technology is available to correct the methane gas situation as part of a major cleanup operation. However, a cleanup operation of this magnitude would involve major expenditures by the municipality.

But even in the tough economic times we are facing, such expenditures would be well worthwhile, since we can’t afford to let our past mistakes continue to endanger our future.

This is an opportunity to repair some of the environmental damage caused by operating the landfill from the 1930’s to 1950’s and learn from our mistakes as plans are being made for opening a new county-wide landfill.

….. continued from page 75 in binder

Activities and Issues in Canatara: 1992

In January Sarnia hired the consulting firm Golder Associates to investigate the Canatara landfill methane gas issue as noted in the following short item in the Observer, January 31, 1992, page 3.

“City Preparing to Study Methane”:

This issue arose when CN Rail was preparing nearby land for residential development. Golder Associates Ltd. (79) of London is being paid $11,000 to determine the extent of methane migration from the site.

On February 12 the first meeting was held for the ten members of the Canatara Management Plan Committee who wanted to help implement some of the Management Plan proposals, At this meeting the group decided to call itself The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers (CPPV).

Its members were: Gerry Clements, Art Teasell, John Teasell, Dennis Crockford, Jack Fraser, Don Silliman, Elizabeth Silliman, Stew White, Fran Taylor, Al Fraser, and Colleen Johnston, Parks Director.

During the spring a second 12-storey apartment building was constructed on Sandy Lane adjacent to the park, as described in the April 11 Observer article below. At the same

time the west end of the park road was straightened so that it intersected at right angles with Sandy Lane.

From page 81 in binder

Major Apartment Building Project Helps Boost

City Construction Activity

Sarnia Observer – April 11, 1992 p3

By Dan McAffery

Construction of the $5.5 –million

Sandy Lane apartment building by Drewlo Holdings is right on schedule. Foreman Manuel Claro, left, and Ted Eldon, both of London, look over blueprints during work at the site Friday. The 12-storey, 253 unit building is expected to be completed by year’s end.

Observer photo by Nora Penhale

A high-rise apartment building should be completed on Sandy Lane by the end of the year.

Jeff Scrivens of Drewlo Construction in Komoka said Friday the $5.5-million, 12 storey facility is on schedule “with about 50 per cent of the concrete poured”.

It is being built by a number of sub-contractors with Forest City Forming doing the concrete work, he said. About 25 workers are on the site at any one time, he said.

The 153-unit building at 1285 Sandy Lane will be a twin of the tower next door at 1275 Sandy Lane.

Lonnie Smith, Sarnia’s deputy chief building official, said the structure is a sign the recession might be easing a bit. “It’s the biggest (project) as far as residential development goes,” he said.

However, he suspects other developments will be announced soon. “Others are pending. We’ve had people come in and show us concepts of plans. But they’ve made no announcements. Maybe they’re waiting for the vacancy rate to get better, or for a better price.”

The value of building permits issued so far this year has increased dramatically. “We’re really busy. Our dollar value (in permits) was up 100% in January and February (over the same two months in 1991).”

In fact, January’s permits were for $1.3 million in construction, compared to $665,000 a year earlier. February’s total hit $5.8 million, up from $2.3 million the year before.

Earlier this month, a permit for $500,000 worth of window replacements at St. Joseph’s Health Centre was issued, he said.

The largest permit issued in recent months was for a $12 million lab at Dow Canada. He said.

“It’s positive,” he said, adding “1990 & 1991 are the two lowest years since I’ve been in Sarnia. They were the slowest years since 1967.”

…. continued from page 79 in binder

During the spring and summer the CPPV undertook a wide variety of projects designed to improve the wildlife habitat, plant diversity and facilities (80) in the park. Several of these projects are mentioned in the June 27 article below. The park brochure referred to in the article is provided in the addendum of this volume. The Canatara Bird Identification booklet and The West Beach Trail pamphlet that the volunteers produced are also in the addendum. The lake Chipican Trail pamphlet is in Volume 10.

From page 82 in binder

Volunteers Work to Better Canatara

Sarnia Observer – June 27, 1992

The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers have completed another project to beautify the city’s well-known park. The group has installed 23 benches at Canatara for visitors use. Among the volunteers are, from left, seated, Fran Taylor and Art Teasell, and standing, from left, Jack Fraser, Dennis Crockford and Gerry Clements. Representing the City of Sarnia is Canatara Park’s maintenance superintendent Doug Jolly, right.

A new brochure about Canatara park is among the recently completed projects of an active group of volunteers.

The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers are trying to raised funds to carry out some other projects, including upgrading the park’s toboggan hill, said Colleen Johnston, the city’s director of parks.

The brochure which is to be available at Sarnia city hall and at a new log cabin soon to be located near the Children’s Farm, tells a little about the history of the park and the activities and facilities it offers, Ms. Johnson said.

It also has a map of the park which will assist those who book a picnic area at city hall, Ms. Johnston said.

Other projects the committee has completed include park benches, duck boxes, a sign for Tarzanland, identification of park trees, blue bird boxes, dogwood tree replacement, and a bird platform.

Those in progress include a bird roosting raft, preservation of oak seedlings, identification of shrubs, grass, and wildflowers, a meadow garden and a herb garden.

The volunteers aim to preserve and enhance the park, while assuring harmony among its many different uses.

In completing a recent park bench project, the volunteers spoke to park visitors to find out the best location, she said. “Normally, we just put the benches out and hope they’re in the best spot.”

“They are just a super group to work with”, Ms. Johnston said of the volunteers. “They really have the love and the interest of Canatara Park at heart, and as a result they just want to go great guns.”

The new log cabin soon to be assembled beside the existing one was donated by the Garret family.

Donations of more than $10 to the Canatara Park Fund are eligible for a tax receipt.

….. continued from page 80

In the spring Golder Associates determined that methane could be migrating from Canatara landfill. They also reported that oil from the former Imperial Oil sludge dump could be spreading into adjacent areas. In May Sarnia Council asked this consulting firm to do a more extensive investigation which involved:

1. Discovering what waste material was buried in the landfill.

2. Establishing if any of this material was migrating off the site.

3. Recommending what remedial work needed to be done to minimize any pollution problems.

This study, along with a previous 1981 investigation, is outlined, is outlined in the August 1st article below.

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Study to Probe Canatara Dump Contents Report Indicates Two Old Dumps Were On Site

Sarnia Observer – August 1, 1992

By Paul Egan

A consultant has started trying to determine what’s buried in an old landfill site on the edge of Canatara Park, and how much cleanup will be required.

Sarnia council is paying Golder and Associates Ltd. $61,800 to study the old landfill site. The move was prompted by nearby plans for residential development on the CN Rail lands in Point Edward.

The landfill was used in the days before the Environment Ministry required certificates of approval, so evidence about what was buried there is largely “anecdotal,” said Sarnia works commissioner Ken MacKenzie.

“I haven’t heard anything yet that would really give me cause for concern,” he added.

“We’re taking a disciplined approach to it,” he said. “Let’s find out what’s there, and let’s look at what we might need to do (as a result).”

First, Golder will do an electromagnetic survey to determine whether there are plumes of liquid leaving the 18-hectare (44-acre) site, Mr. MacKenzie said. If plumes are found, monitoring wells will be used to determine what is in them.

He hopes to receive a report in November.

Earlier this year, Golder determined that methane may be migrating from the site, but not in sufficient concentrations to cause concern.

A 1981 study of area waste sites completed for the Environment Ministry by Proctor and Redfern and Gartner Lee Associates Ltd. concluded neither gas nor leachate from the site on Michigan Avenue was a “significant problem.” However, it

recommended further study to determine the reason for dead plants nearby and the nature of solids in the drainage swale areas near the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club.

According to the Environment Ministry report, there are actually two old landfills in the area, one industrial and one municipal.

Until about 1940, Imperial Oil Ltd. “allegedly disposed of oil-saturated clay in low flat areas along the railroad tracks and toward Kendall Street,” says the report. After that practice stopped, the ministry, “received complaints of illegal dumping of liquids, oils, asphalt, wire and rubbish on property near Kendall Street” until action was taken against one company in 1971.

Although is gives no date or other details, “there is a report that a dog died when it came into contact with … wastes and a boy carrying the dead dog received burns to his skin,” the report says. “This problem was apparently solved by waste removal and regrading.”

From 1954 to 1965 the area north of Michigan Avenue was used for municipal wastes, says the report.

Potential health problems relate to “the potential for methane gas migration to adjacent structures and the physical contact with wastes of unknown characteristics on the site” says the report.

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At the June 11 CPPV meeting Johnston revealed that the Department planned to have a second log cabin constructed adjacent to the Children’s Farm. Part of this cabin would house the farm staff, but a large room could be used by the volunteers as an information Centre. The CPPV would be responsible for creating displays and staffing this facility. Johnston also noted that the cabin should be completed by next summer and the volunteers indicated that they would have a large number of displays ready by then.

Note: By the summer of 1992 neither the Frisbee Golf Course or the BMX track was being maintained due to the lack of use of these facilities.

From October 1992 to June 1993 the CPPV obtained a large amount of material for the information center. This included not only numerous photos, drawings, maps & other display items, but also display boards, wall cases, furniture, lighting systems and reference books. The ten volume set detailing the human history of the Canatara area was also assembled at this time to serve as reference material at the Centre. Projects were also undertaken to raise funds to purchase all of these items. A drawing showing the room layout and display topics at the Centre is shown below.

Activities and Issues in Canatara: 1993

During the winter and spring Jaime Lopes and his crew constructed the second log cabin near the entrance to the Children’s Farm as shown in this March 1993 Observer photo.

New Cabin Takes Shape

Butch O’Bradovic, an assistant with Jimmy Lopes Construction of Courtright, works on the nearly completed shell of a log cabin being rebuilt at the Canatara Park Animal Farm. Construction of white and black ash logs , the cabin will house a lunchroom, washrooms, office space and interpretive center.

In March Golder Associates presented their Canatara landfill report to Sarnia Council, as described in the March 20 Observer article below. Among other things it was recommended that a thousand-foot slurry wall be located along the border between the landfill and the CNR triangular property , as shown by the red line on Map W2 page 71 In addition a number of oil recovery wells and methane vents were to be installed along this wall. This remedial work was designed to prevent the spread of methane gas and oily waster into the triangular land.

89 in binder

City Faces Pollution Bill at Canatara Landfill Site

Remedial Work Estimated to Cost $62,000

Observer – March 20, 1993

Careless environmental practices of another era have come back to haunt Sarnia taxpayers.

Mayor Mike Bradley announced Friday the city is facing a $620,000 bill to solve a pollution problem at the former Michigan Avenue landfill site.

Works commissioner Ken MacKenzie, in a report to be discussed by city council Monday, says it will cost that much money to alleviate methane gas and other pollution concerns at the site, which is now part of Canatara Park. Another $45,000 will be needed annually to monitor the situation, once remedial action has been taken.

Sarnia

Dan McCaffery – The Observer

“It’s a legacy from the past we’ve inherited,” the mayor said Friday at a press conference. During the 1930’s and 40’s chemicals and other wastes were disposed of at the landfill with little or no regard for long-term environmental consequences, he said

He added that while methane gases on the site are not an immediate health threat, they are a potential future menace to a subdivision proposed for nearby Canadian National Railroad lands in Point Edward. There are even worries the methane could put existing homes in the area at risk, he said.

The pollution concerns were uncovered by Golder Associates, a consulting firm that has completed a $77,000 study of the site.

Council commissioned the probe in 1992 after being instructed to do so by the Ontario Environment Ministry.

Among other things, the investigation uncovered the following:

Methane generation – Combustible vapor levels in excess of 10 percent of the “lower explosive limit” have been identified along the perimeter of the site.

Floating oil – Oil was found floating on the groundwater surface in an number of locations. “This is no doubt due to the use of the site to dispose of oil-saturated clay in the 1930’s and 1940’s,” Mr. MacKenzie said.

Chemicals – The consulting firm found the chemical benazoapyrene in the site’s groundwater and recommends further study be carried out to determine whether or not remedial action will be required.

Mr. MacKenzie said, “we will not be recommending any action (to council) until the Ministry of the Environment has had an opportunity to review and comment on the report and its recommendations. Once we have received the Ministry’s comments we will report back to council for approval on the action plan.”

Mayor Bradley said the city will pay for any remedial action work through a $2million environmental reserve fund it has built up in recent years by imposing a surcharge on local water rates.

Dump To Haunt City Budgets

March 24, 1993

Council approved the circulation of a report on the Michigan Avenue Landfill. The consultants’ report thus far recommends remedial action measures totaling $580,000; ongoing monitoring and operating costs of $45,000 annually; and another $40,000 for additional investigation of the site. The consultants aren’t recommending any remedial action begin until the Ministry of Environment and Energy reviews the report. Council approved the circulation of the report to the Village of Point Edward, Imperial Oil, & CN. CN originally owned the land, while Imperial Oil used the land for disposal of oily clay from approximately 1930 – 1944 according to the consultant’s research. Houses near the site are in the Village of Point Edward.

Areas needing attention include levels of methane of 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit. The consultants say these levels don’t pose “an immediate health hazard.” The study also reports the presence of floating oil on groundwater, the presence of benzol(a)pyrene and the need for more clay cover to meet present standards.

In April a proposal was made to rent paddle boats for use on Lake Chipican as recorded in the April 19 Observer item below. However, it was pointed out by McCallum that the parks by-law prohibits any type of boat in this lake. Council voted against the proposal since it would create too much disturbance to the (87) wildlife and plant communities in and around the lake. (It could also create liability issues for the city since the lake contains deep areas with thick layers of soft mud. See the Lake Chipican depth survey in Volume 10.)

Paddle Boat Rentals Being Proposed For Lake Chipican and Sarnia Bay April 19, 1993 P14

Paddle boats may soon be available for rent on Lake Chipican and on Sarnia Bay.

Sarnia resident Brett Auger has approached the city for permission to rent boats at these two locations.

“I would like to put six boats in Lake Chipican (at Canatara Park) and possibly six paddles boats in Sarnia Bay,” Mr. Auger says in a letter to community services commissioner Terry McCallum. “I feel this would attract people of all ages to the parks for family entertainment and fun.”

He added the boats would not be a threat to wildlife because they only reach tops speeds of 5 kilometers (3 mile) per hour. “I feel it would be a great way for people to get exercise while viewing the wonders of nature.”

He proposes to charge $5 to rent the boat for half an hour.

City council will deal with his letter when it meets Monday.

Mr. McCallum is recommending council reject the idea, at least for Lake Chipican. He points out a city bylaw stipulates “no person shall use or operate or permit to be used or operated on or in the waters of Lake Chipican any watercraft, including any motorized boat, canoe, yacht, inflatable boat, dinghy or other craft, at any time.”

He added the St. Clair Parkway Commission will have to decide to allow such boats on Sarnia Bay. The commission he said has some concerns about “mixed uses in Sarnia Bay.”

Acting mayor Dave Boushy said Friday he supports Mr. Augers idea. “I think it would create some interest. Our policy is not to allow it, but I really think this is a harmless recreation.”

Ald. Boushy believes paddle boats could attract tourists. “A lot of people from the Unitec States come to Canatara Park and if word gets around (about paddle boats) I think it could be a drawing card.”

Council Sinks Paddle Boat Plan

April 20, 1993 P11

A proposal to allow rental paddle boats in Lake Chipican has been blown out of the water.

City council voted Monday not to allow local resident Brett Auger to rent boats in the lake which is located inside Canatara Park. At the same time it referred his request to rent paddle boats in Sarnia Bay to the St. Clair Parkway Commission.

Ald. Dave Boushy said Mr. Auger had come up with a “harmless” idea that would attract families and tourists to the city.

But Ald. Wills Rawana said the boats could destroy wildlife and plants in the lake. “It’s not a bad idea (but) it’s the wrong place,” he said.

…. Continued from page 87

On June 26 the Canatara Information Centre (CIC) officially opened as recorded by the June 23 Observer notice seen on page 75 and the June 28 & 29 articles and photo seen on page 75.

Ash logs from as far away as Tobermory went into the construction of this cabin, circa 1858, that now stands in Sarnia’s Canatara Park. The cabin opened officially last weekend and will house displays, exhibits and reference book explaining the natural and human history of the park. A corn festival and Indian culture display are planned for the site on Aug. 22.

Park information Centre Opens

Sarnia Observer – June 23, 1993 P11

Sixty years after it opened Canatara Park has its own information centre.

The facility, which is located in a 19th century log cabin donated to the city by Rex Garrett and Marnie Meston, was officially opened to the public over the weekend.

Situated adjacent to the Animal Farm, the building features displays about wildlife, plants, nature trails and other attractions found in Canatara.

“There are displays on how the land was formed, going back 2,000 years,” said Jack Fraser, chairman of the log cabin information project.

The various displays and brochures should be helpful to tourists and local residents alike.

For tourists, useful information will include instructions on how to find such facilities as public washrooms and the beach.

Both visitors and locals are expected to enjoy learning about what Canatara has to offer. “We’re trying to help people understand and appreciate some of the fascinating features in the park,” Mr. Fraser said. The displays also include historic pictures showing how Canatara has changed through the decades.

Mr. Fraser said the cabin will be staffed by senior citizen volunteers and members of the Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers. They will be on hand Monday through Friday from noon until 6 p.m. and on weekends whenever volunteers are available.

In future Canatara could become an even bigger attraction, as the preservation group looks for ways to attract more wildlife and plants.

In fact, Mr. Fraser said it might be possible to transplant rare plants onto the small islands in Lake Chipican, where they would be protected from people. The islands are not easily accessible to the public.

Sponsors for the project include the city, the volunteers and the Seaway Kiwanis Club.

A donation of $4,800 has been turned over to the Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers for a historical, ecological and wildlife photography display by Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. The four panels and wall displays are housed at the Information Centre near the animal farm. From left are volunteers Gerry Clements and Art Teasell, and Interprovincial Pipelines eastern division manager Jack Hicks.

…. Continued from page 87

Provided below is the July 9 letter concerning the Golder Associates report that the CPPV sent to Mayor Bradley. This letter was written by Don Silliman who for many years was the city engineer in charge of the Sarnia Engineering Department. He points out the problems with the proposed slurry wall and notes that the CPPV strongly recommend that the city acquire the triangular property as an addition to Canatara Park. However CN Real Estate was not interested in selling the property to Sarnia since both it and Point Edward officials wanted to develop the land for residential purposes.

86(b)

Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers Get Donation

88

In 1993 the CPPV carried out about twenty projects as noted in the November 6 Observer article on page 77.

Activities and Issues in Canatara: 1994 – 2001

In 1994 the Canatara Citizen Garden Plots were closed due to lack of use and the pollution issue at the landfill.

In 1994 Point Edward constructed an asphalt walkway adjacent to Canatara Park on the 30-foot wide strip of land the Village owned from the foot of Louisa Street to Alfred Street as depicted on Map W5.

In August 1994 Sarnia officials and the St. Clair Conservation Authority considered locating a boat ramp at the west end of Canatara beach., as shown on Map W3. They decided that this was not feasible.

In the fall of 1994 the 1951 concession booth in the picnic grounds was demolished due to lack of use and its dilapidated condition.

In 1995 a small brick building was constructed in the maintenance compound to house the staff lunchroom and (99) washrooms.

94

July 9, 1993

Mayor Mike Bradley

City Hall

Sarnia, Ontario

N7T 7N2

Dear Mayor Bradley:

Canatara Park

Preservation Volunteers

The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers are interested in and concerned with the past , present, and future of Canatara Park. Consequently, we request that the City of Sarnia again consider the acquisition of the triangle of CNR property which juts into the Canatara Park. The triangle contains some beautiful giant oak trees and already appears to be part of the park. Any other use would have a detrimental effect on the park.

The costs of acquiring the land may be considerable, but the costs of not acquiring it could also be considerable.

Pressure from the CNR to develop the triangle resulted in the February 1993 report on Hydrogeological Investigation and Remedial Study Michigan Avenue Landfill Point Edward, Ontario by Golder Associates.

The Golder report confirms information which the Ministry of the Environment had already received in a 1981 report by Proctor and Redfern, Limited and Gartner Lee Associates. Because the earlier report had not been acted upon, it appears that the Ministry did not consider it to be urgent until the CNR pressure. We are not aware of pressure from any other source.

The recent report suggests $540,00 of remedial work and further studies plus contingencies and an annual operating and monitoring cost of $45,000. More pressure from CNR or future owners could result in even more studies and more expense.

Beginning in the 1920’s or early 1930’s, and ending in 1944, trainloads of oil sludge were hauled in by CNR and dumped on what is now part of the park and extending into the CNR triangle. The remedial work recommended by the consultant’s includes a slurry wall which would be a trench three meters deep with bentonite/cement. The wall would be along the west property line of the Park (95) and is intended to isolate the CNR triangle from the materials in the Park. Because the oily sludge extends onto CNR property it would still interfere with the development of the property and be the basis for more complaints.

Another problem regarding the slurry wall is that one of the only three main feeder watermains serving Sarnia and a large part of Western Lambton County is in the same area. The slurry wall would be deeper than the watermain, and any disturbance of the sand bedding under the watermain could lead to settlement and leaks.

News stories from the 1930’s mention serious fires in the oil sludge, but natural processes tend to stabilize organic material. By the mid 1950’s, vegetation was starting to grow in many places, but there were large barren areas with an oily residue. Today, where it remains undisturbed, there is a vigorous growth of heavy vegetation. If development can be kept away, perhaps those natural processes can be allowed to continue.

We believe that the most practical and most desirable action for the City to take is acquisition of the CNR triangle for incorporation into Canatara Park. The addition of this last remaining parcel of vacant land to the park will continue the wise policy of land acquisition by City Council’s since the 1930’s.

Sincerely,

Dedicated Group Busy Upgrading Canatara

Over 20 Projects Completed at Lakefront Park

Sarnia Observer, November 6, 1993 p3

By Tom Davey

A small group is making its mark on improving the natural and human made facilities at Canatara Park.

Formed in January 1992, the “Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers” have completed over 20 projects in the popular lakefront facility, which covers 74.5 hectares (184 acres).

The group is presently in the midst of completing a number of projects, including re-establishing wild flowers, preserving oak seedlings and completing a meadow garden in phases.

The Sarnia-sponsored group has the responsibility of overseeing its own activities to assure that all projects are done by the group are within the city’s control and approval.

The core committee consists of 10 volunteers and Colleen Johnston, the city’s director of parks and facilities. All projects done within the park by the volunteers must first be submitted to the committee where it is evaluated for its worth.

Should a project found to be worthwhile, then a feasibility study is made as to what resources might be needed to complete it. If these resources can be found, a vote is taken to determine if it should proceed.

John Teasell, a member of the volunteer committee, first became involved before his recent retirement.

“I’m interested in Canatara Park … I like to contribute something useful to the community. All the fellows have an interest in particular (areas)and an interest in seeing it become successful,” he says.

Mr. Teasell says both the volunteers and city benefit from projects that are completed. The volunteers feel they have made a contribution while the city benefits from the expertise of the volunteers at a minimal cost, he says.

One of the most recent projects completed by the group is a display of photographs and exhibits in the park’s information center located in the new log cabin near the Children’s Farm.

This display covers several interesting subjects including a history of the park’s geographical formation as well as the recent man-made changes. Old photographs of the park area before and after it became a park, winter and summer recreational activities and wildlife photos are also included in the display.

This display will be changed on a regular basis in the future in order to keep the exhibit interesting for repeat visitors.

Currently, the Canatara information center is open on Sunday afternoons but it will also be open for special events, such as Christmas in The Park.

Canatara is an Indian word meaning Blue Water. It was chosen by a Sarnia woman, Mrs. W.J. Hanna, who donated money to the City of Sarnia in 1932 towards the purchase of property beside Lake Huron

Canatara Park was officially opened May 24, 1933.

98/99

In 1995 the road barriers that had been installed in the 1970’s as shown in the photo on the left, were replaced by the posts shown in the photo on the right.

In 1995 the Rotary playground was built on the site of the former 1951 concession booth.

The CPPV continued to undertake a wide variety of projects as demonstrated by the June 28 Progress Report provided on page 80.

In the 1995 – 2000 period the CPPV, under the leadership of Art & John Teasell helped regenerate the oak woodland in the Canatara picnic grounds. This was done by planting oak trees in several fenced-off enclosures as shown in the April 21st & November 22nd Observer photos below.

99(a)

Volunteers Spruce Up Park

Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers are helping to regenerate the growth of trees in developed forest areas of the park. Black & white oak will be planted in the enclosures being created by Art Teasell.

Protecting the Young Trees

Canatara Park Preservation Volunteer John Teasell applies a concoction to a Hop tree to help prevent rabbits from eating the bark. Mr. Teasell and his brother Art are busy protecting the young trees that are located in the regeneration area near the west entrance to the park. The recycling doesn’t stop there. The trees are located within two corrals, made from recycled wood from the Animal Farm fences.

Also in the 1995 – 2000 period the CPPV, under the leadership of Gerry Clements attempted to establish a tall grass prairie on the northeast section of the landfill. Unfortunately this project met with only limited success since it proved impossible to have a prescribed burn on the site.

100

In the mid 1990’s CN Real Estate concluded that it was going to be difficult to develop the triangular property for residential purposes because of the pollution issue. It therefore sold this land to the Canada Land Company, a federally-owned corporation that had

99(b)

acquired a large number of CN parcels across Canada. Canada Lands apparently regarded the property as still suitable for development once the pollution problem has been solved. (See Observer item April 3, 2000 on page 97).

101

Canatara Park Perseveration Volunteers Progress Report: May & June

The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers currently consist of nine members who work with park staff in developing projects designed to upgrade the natural environment and enhance the recreational opportunities in Canatara Park. To help implement these projects, the group utilizes the services of many other individuals who volunteer their time and expertise. Listed below are some of the projects and activities the volunteers have undertaken over the past two months.

With the financial support of Union Gas, a wide variety of native tree species were planted along Christina Street in the “Tarzanland” section of the park. These trees will enhance both the botanical richness and educational value of this outstanding Carolinian forest

To help regenerate the distinctive oak woodland in the picnic grounds at the west end of the park, the first of several fenced-off enclosures was planted with young oak trees.

The park brochure, which highlights both the recreational facilities and natural attractions, was updated and large numbers were distributed to various sites in Lambton County including libraries, motels and tourist centers

With the help of the Volunteers In Public Service, summer staffing was arranged for the Canatara Information Centre. A new wildflower display was also created for the Centre, which over the last two years has been visited by thousands of local residents as well as many tourists from throughout North America and Europe.

Several species of nuisance plants were removed from the wetlands around Lake Chipican,. This will allow a greater number of native wildflowers to flourish which, in turn, will attract a greater variety of birds and other wildlife to the lake.

Several hundred native wildflowers including columbine, trillium, and lady’s slipper were planted in the natural areas.

Work continued on the vegetation survey, which involves identifying the type and location of all species of wildflowers, shrubs and trees in the park.

A new section of rail fence was constructed adjacent to the Information Centre and several sections of the existing rail fence were repaired.

With the assistance of the Seaway Kiwanis, several aeration systems were evaluated as to their effectiveness in upgrading the water quality of the Children’s Farm pond.

Additional sections of the proposed Master Plan were drafted. This plan will establish goals and objectives for the future management of the park as well as update the policies governing the day-to-day administration.

Over 100 tickets were sold for the Canatara 50/50 draw, the proceeds of which will be used for future volunteer projects.

The Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers, June 8, 1995

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Master Plan Adopted to Govern Development of Canatara Park

April 13, 1996

Sarnia is protecting the crown jewel of its park system but selling off an uncut gem

City Council approved a master plan for Canatara Park on Monday designed to preserve its natural beauty while laying down ground rules for future development.

At the same time, councilors declared an undeveloped section of Huronview Park surplus and put it up for sale by public tender.

The Canatara document contains zoning, policies and standards for the popular park on Lake Huron. Compiled by the Canatara Park Preservation Committee, it also divides the 75 hectares (184 acres) of forest, meadow and beaches into roughly equal development and natural preservation areas.

Future goals include:

Acquisition and addition of the CN lands, known as the triangle, near the foot of Front Street.

A maintenance plan for Lake Chipican to protect its special plants and animals. Reintroduction of other native plant species, a tall grass prairie and development of a arboretum

Designation of “Tarzanland” as a special heritage forest.

A long range plan to regenerate the aging oak forest in the open field and picnic areas.

“You have to start now if you want to have a forest there 40 years from now,” committee member Art Teasell told council during a slide presentation.

Mayor Mike Bradley praised the volunteer committee for producing a “first class” plan at no cost to taxpayers.

Council focused on the present when it agreed to sell an undeveloped portion of Huronview Park south of County Road 7 (New Lakeshore Road) now being used for agriculture.

Sarnia will keep 9 hectares (23 acres) between the road and Perch Creek for a future park, but auction off another 20 hectares (50 acres) to the south.

Park Committee Did Great Job Drawing Up Plan

April 25, 1996

Hats off to the Canatara Park Preservation Committee.

The group did a first rate job compiling a master plan for the park, a place that’s as close to Sarnia’s soul as its flare stacks and firefighters.

The 19-page document presented to council this week is a mix of common sense and vision that will serve the city well for years to come. The management plans can be crafted to ensure the parks’ natural assets aren’t impaired by reckless development.

The committee is a volunteer group of citizens who clearly understand the value of protecting the forest, meadow, beaches and water that make up Sarnia’s “crown jewel” But members also recognize the park as a people place, where children play, seniors stroll and thousands gather for civic events.

Their master plan strikes the correct balance between wildlife habitat protection and recreational use. Indeed, it actually splits the parks 75 hectares (184 acres) into areas of development and preservation of roughly equal size.

The developed zones include parking lots and roads, picnic grounds, ball fields, the band shell and Children’s Farm. New projects in those areas must meet criteria laid down by the city and master plan.

Lake Chipican and its islands, the sand dunes, Tarzanland and other natural areas are preserved and off limit to development. One of the committees goals is to have Tarzanland, which boasts some of the largest trees of their kind in the county, designated a special heritage forest.

Through judicious plantings, the group also intends to reintroduce a tallgrass prairie meadow and other native plants and trees. There’s even a plan to maintain the oak forest surrounding the central open field, which isn’t replacing itself naturally.

The Canatara Park Preservation Committee deserves our gratitude for crafting a clear, useful and workable report. And doing it at no cost to taxpayers.

…continued from page 100

In January 1996 the CPPV completed the Canatara Master Plan and on April 22 it was approved by Sarnia Council, as reported in the April 23 Observer item and the April editorial above. The section of the plan concerning the management zones is provided on pages 83 & 84, while entire plan is included in the addendum of this volume.

In 1997 the Smoke House was demolished since the structural integrity of this small log building had deteriorated to such an extent that it was unsafe. At the same time it was determined **(107) that many of the logs in the original log cabin at the Children’s Farm needed to be replaced. **continued on page 107 in original binder

MAP W4: Management Zones

Canatara Park Master Plan

Classification of The Park’s Resources by Zones

ZONING: To ensure that the present balance of natural and developed areas is preserved, the park is divided into two land use zones of approximately equal size, as shown on the accompanying Zoning Map.

DEVELOPED ZONE: This zone includes all the major day-use facilities such as roads, parking lots, picnic grounds, playgrounds, the ballfield, washrooms, bandshell, Information Centre, and Children’s Farm. To accommodate these facilities, a groomed landscape consisting primarily of mature trees and mowed lawns is maintained. Any new facilities added to the park in the future should also be located within the boundaries of this zone.

NATURE PRESERVE ZONE: This zone contains locally unique plant communities and wildlife habitat encompassing various types of woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. Nature trails, along with benches and educational pamphlets, are provided for a wide range of recreational activities such as walking, relaxing, bird-watching, photography and nature study. To accommodate these activities, the plant communities are maintained in their natural condition with minimal grooming. For management purposes this zone is divided into five Nature Preserves, the boundaries of which are shown on the Zoning Map.

1. The LAKE CHIPICAN PRESERVE contains the aquatic, wetland and woodland plant communities in and around Lake Chipican. Since no boating or fishing is allowed, there is little human disturbance to the plants and animals. Consequently, the lake functions as both a wildlife sanctuary for nesting waterfowl and a botanical reserve for rare wildflowers. In winter it also serves as a popular skating rink.

2. The TARZANLAND PRESERVE consists of a Carolinian forest containing many species of trees and plants considered rare in Canada. Some of the trees are of specimen quality, being the largest of their kind in Lambton County.

3. The MEADOWLAND PRESERVE is comprised of several small woodlands surrounded by open wildflower meadows and prairie grasslands. Located on a former landfill site, this area also contains two human-made hills used for tobogganing.

4. The FARM PRESERVE includes the woodlands surrounding the north and west side of the Children’s Farm. It serves both to visually screen the farm from the adjacent picnic grounds and to provide habitat for the farm waterfowl and other wildlife.

5. The DUNES PRESERVE consists of the woodland and dune-grass in five separate areas adjacent to the beach. The plant communities is these areas, by stabilizing the dunes, prevent sand from blowing further into the park. They also function as windbreaks to shield interior sections of the park from strong onshore winds off Lake Huron.

See Map W4 on previous page

Map W5 – Canatara Park 1996

107

Map W5: Canatara Park 1996

The 1996 map above shows the location of the facilities and features added to the park in the 1986 – 1996 period. These include the 1990 washroom and the adjacent Rotary Playground, the Information Centre, the park Staff Building and the tall grass prairie.

In the 1996 – 2000 period the CPPV worked with the parks staff to identify the maintenance repairs needed for the buildings and other facilities in Canatara. The Year End Report below outlines the repairs and renovations completed in 1997.

In the 1996 – 2000 period the CPPV also continued to create more displays for the Information Centre as noted in the December 1999 Observer article on page 88.

In March 1997, Colleen Johnston left the department and Terry McCallum took over the duties of Parks Director.

In 1997 oil from the former sludge dump started to seep into the channel at the South End of Lake Chipican as noted (108) in the December 9 Observer article on page 89. Golder Associates was hired to investigate this problem and make recommendations concerning the necessary remedial work. The article also mentions that Canada Lands was still interested in developing the triangular property.

In the 1997 – 2000 period the CPPV wrote management plans for each of the five nature preserves identified in the Canatara Master Plan. The plan for the Dunes, Farm, Meadowland and Tarzanland Preserves are provided in the addendum of this volume. The Lake Chipican Management Plan is in Volume 10.

In 1998 the boat launching site on the west beach was discontinued since it was very difficult to maintain, as the waves were continually burying the ramp in sand.

109 Year End Report on Canatara Facility Maintenance Program ‘97

In the fall of 1996 , the CPPV, under the leadership of Dennis Crockford, compiled a list of maintenance repairs for the Canatara buildings and various other park facilities. During 1997 a large-scale program of corrective maintenance was carried out in Canatara by the Community Services Department. This excellent program, which included the rehabilitation or remodeling of nine park buildings, has greatly enhanced the recreational experience of all park users. Indeed, the volunteers have received many appreciative and favourable comments from the public regarding the refurbished buildings and other facility improvements. Listed below are the upgrades and renovations completed on specific buildings, as well as the repairs made to other park facilities in 1997.

Building Maintenance

Information Centre

1. Exterior painted (except for two small dormers)

2. Preservative applied to exterior logs.

Carriage Shed (The Seaway Kiwanis donated funds for these renovations)

1. Exterior and interior of first floor painted

2. New windows

3. Electrical wiring installed

4. New tables and lights placed in “tea room” Farm Picnic Shelter (i.e.; former Implement Shed)

1. New windows

2. Electrical wiring installed

3. Picnic tables placed in shelter Bandshell

1. New roof

2. New electrical wiring

3. Aluminum siding installed on fascia

4. Six new lights placed above stage

5. Retaining wall in front of stage capped with concrete Beach Picnic Shelter

1. New steel anchoring straps installed on north side

2. Air vents covered with vinyl siding

3. Roof repaired

4. Rotted buttress timber near northeast corner replaced

5. Concrete floor repaired

Terry Fox Building (i.e.: former First Aid building)

1. New roof

2. New doors

3. New windows and shutters

4. Aluminum siding installed

5. Two new lights placed on exterior

6. Interior rooms painted

7. Interior floors carpeted Change House

1. Aluminum siding installed

2. Holes in brickwork filled

3. Four new lights placed around exterior

4. New “Lifeguard Station” identification sign placed on exterior

5. New doors on washroom

6. Washroom interiors renovated

7. Former concession booth converted into lifeguard station

8. Former lifeguard station converted into new storage room Small Picnic Shelters

1. New roof

2. New concrete floor

3. Steel straps installed to anchor support posts to floor

4. Tables painted

Chipican Washroom

1. Aluminum siding installed

Other Facilities

1. The rail fences around the periphery of the Children’s Farm were repaired

2. The backstops at the two ball diamonds were repaired

3. New fences were erected on the south side of the Children’s Farm

4. A steel retaining wall was constructed along the farm water course adjacent to the Carriage Shed.

J. Fraser December 8, 1997

Information Centre: The Ted Leaver information centre at Sarnia’s Canatara Park is open during the fall and winter on Sunday’s, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The centre is a wealth of knowledge about the park and is operated by the Canatara Park Preservation Volunteers. One such member is Larry Neil, who stands next to an information board.

110(a)

Leaking Landfill Potential Problem

The Observer – December 9, 1997 p1

By George Mathewson

An oily sheen that appeared on Lake Chipican this summer could be the tip of a leaky environmental mess buried in Canatara park.

Materials dumped long ago in a former landfill site on the south-end of Sarnia’s most beloved park, including oil, coal tar and other contaminants, seem to be escaping into the surrounding environment, officials confirmed Monday.

The problem is severe enough that Sarnia’s new council approved a $73,000 study to probe the damage at its first formal meeting Monday.

If pollutants are found to be migrating underground, it could cost up to $1 million to fix the problem, said Mayor Mike Bradley.

“We’re inheriting a problem from the 1930’s and 40’s when people didn’t care what went into landfills,” he said. “It’s a problem from the past, but has to be dealt with.”

It’s not clear exactly what’s buried in the former dump, which was once used for both municipal and industrial waste.

Tar patches have been found on the surface at the site, which lies north of Michigan Avenue, near the foot of Front Street. And a boom was needed to protect

wildlife from a mysterious oily sheen that appeared for the first time on nearby Lake Chipican this summer.

Other evidence of a problem includes oily by-products and methane gas, a common by-product of landfill waste, said city engineer Reg McMichael.

The study, to be conducted by Golder & Associates, involves drilling test holes to study underground migration. It will build on exploratory work done by the city in 1993 at a cost of $90,000.

If contaminates are found to be leaking into the environment, a containment plan could involve sinking clay barriers beneath ground level and placing a clay cap over the landfill, McMichael added.

The Canada Lands Corporation owns a 10-acre parcel of the former CN right-ofway immediately west of the former landfill. The corporation wants to develop the site but can’t until the environmental question is resolved, Bradley said.

Neighboring Point Edward, which met with the city on July 31 to discuss the situation, supports any remedial action that might be needed, Mayor Barb Horner said Monday.

112

Reclaiming Our Botanical Heritage

Sarnia Observer – August 28, 1999

Canatara Park preservation volunteer Gerry Clements stands among the native wildflower and grasses growing strong in the tall prairie reserve.

Former Dump Home To Rare Wildflowers

By George Mathewson – The Observer

When the first European settlers arrived in Southern Ontario they found much of it covered in grasses and flowers as high as a man’s head.

Those waving fields are long gone, replaced by farms and subdivisions. But in Sarnia, a tiny corner of land is slowly regaining something of its original glory.

For the third straight year now, a piece of Canatara Park has been seeded with native wildflowers and grasses in a bid to establish a tall grass prairie reserve.

This year, another half a hectare (1.3 acres) were planted along the access road to the Animal Farm, bringing the meadow’s size to about 1 hectare (2.3 acres).

“It’s really filling in nicely,” said Gerry Clements, a Canatara Park preservation volunteer and spearheader of the project.

Stalks of wild sunflower, called coreopsis, rise three meters (nine feet) above the ground.

Photos by Nora Penhale

Nearby, purple blooms of Canada tick-trefoil jostle with swamp milkweed. Bees and butterflies love the place.

A rare prairie wildflower grows in Canatara Park. Such sights are rare in Ontario.

The project is funded through private donations. This year’s seeding cost $5,500. The City’s community services department assisted with tilling and watering.

It will take five years for the nearly two dozen species of grasses and flowers to establish themselves and eclipse the plants already there, most of them weeds foreign to Canada.

“Right now a bunch of us go out on Tuesday nights and pull the weeds,” Clement said. “Eventually the grasses will cover them and crowd them out.”

Ironically, this attempt at reclaiming our botanical heritage is being done on a former landfill site believed to contain industrial waste from a less regulated time.

But that doesn’t seem to matter to the goldfinches and other seed-eating birds which have discovered the spot adjacent to the Tarzanland parking lot.

In the early 1800’s more than 130,000 acres of Southern Ontario were native prairie, which the First Nations would burn periodically to regenerate and clear off trees. Today, less than one per cent of it remains, nearly all of it in three locations: Walpole Island, Ojibway Prairie and Pinery Provincial Park.

“No one alive has ever seen a true tall grass prairie,” Clements said.

“But we know from descriptions pretty well what was there.” 113

Park Buildings 2000

The aerial photo seen on the next page shows the eighteen buildings that existed in the park in the year 2000. The buildings are listed below the photograph along with the year each was opened.

113(a)

Aerial Photograph of Canatara: 2000

…113 continued

1. Administration Building (1946)

2. Central Picnic Shelter (1948)

3. Beach Picnic Shelter (1950)

4. Ballfield Washroom (1957)

5. Chipican Washroom (1961)

6. Maintenance Building (1961)

7. Bandshell (1962)

8. Children’s Farm Barn (1966)

9. East Beach Washroom & Lifeguard Station (1968)

10. Log Cabin moved to present site (1971)

11. Carriage Shed (1971)

12. West Beach Washroom (1972)

13. Farm Picnic Shelter (1974)

14. Farm Washroom (1979)

15. Second Farm Barn (1985)

16. Playground Washroom (1990)

17. Information Centre (1993)

18. Park Staff Building (1995)

Note: Since 2000, buildings #10, 11 & #12 have been replaced by new ones constructed on the same site.

There are also several minor structures in the park including two small (114) picnic shelters and approximately ten sheds for the animals in the Children’s Farm. Additional information regarding several buildings is provided below.

Administration Building: This beige brick structure originally housed both the park superintendent’s office and a first aid station. It is now known as the Terry Fox building and is used partly for storage purposes. The beige bricks came from the former George Street School in Sarnia which was located just north of the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre from 1878 – 1938.

Beach Picnic Shelter: This large wooden structure with a metal roof is located on the site of the park pavilion that was destroyed by a severe storm in 1941. In fact, the hearth markings of the pavilion fireplace can still be seen in the concrete floor on the south side of the shelter. Both this shelter and the Central Picnic Shelter were built by Harry Pippard.

Log Cabin: Originally built near Goderich, it was purchased in 1930 (115) by Mrs. Margaret Spaulding, who had the log cabin taken apart and floated down Lake Huron in a log boom to her lakeshore property at Sarnia. Here it was reassembled and used as a summer cottage. When Mrs. Lorne Hay acquired the property, she donated the cabin to Sarnia and in May, 1971 Jim Abra moved it to the park.

Information Centre: This log structure was originally built in 1903 on the lakeshore just east of Modeland Road as a summer cottage for Frank Lindsay of Detroit. In 1986 it was dismantled and stored in a barn until 1992 when it was donated to Sarnia by Rex Garret

& Marnie Meston. Jimmy Lopes reconstructed the log building on its present site in 1992-93.

116

Sarnia Obtains the Triangular Property

As mentioned in the March 20, 1993 Observer article on page 69, the Golder Associates 1993 report concerning pollution in and around the Canatara Landfill site revealed that the methane, oil and chemical waste could be “a potential future menace to a subdivision proposed for the nearby CNR lands”. When oil started to seep into Lake Chipican in 1997, it raised further concerns about using the triangular property for residential purposes as noted in the December 9, 1997 Observer article on page 89. The March 30, 2000 Observe article below noted that further testing in the triangular parcel “showed that methane gas had migrated to the property and oil was pooling in places , making it unfit for residential development.” As a result, Canada Lands agreed to donate the nine acre property to Sarnia as an addition to Canatara Park.

117

Canatara Park Just Got Bigger

The Observer – March 30, 2000

By Cathy Dobson

POINT EDWARD – A little chunk of this progressively independent village just became Sarnia’s property.

A land transfer was completed Wednesday that makes the City of Sarnia the new owner of 9.17 acres near Front Street and Michigan Avenue,

The transfer means the land remains within village boundaries but belongs to the City of Sarnia.

The city intends to use the land to extend Canatara Park and has hired an engineering consultant to assess the property. A development and remedial plan is anticipated to be approved within the next few months, according to city solicitor Alex Palimaka.

The ribbon of land is adjacent to a former landfill site also owned by the City of Sarnia and within Point Edward’s boundaries. The landfill was open from about 1930 to the late 1960’s and it’s believed industrial waste was dumped and buried there.

The 9.17 acres transferred Wednesday belonged to CN Rail. About a decade ago, CN officials wanted to build housing on it. However, environmental tests showed that methane and oil was pooling in places, making it unfit for residential development.

In the mid-90’s, CN Real Estate sold the acreage to Canada Lands Company, a federallyowned corporation that purchased numerous CN tracks across the country.

“Many years ago, Canada Lands thought it had value for residential purposes,” Palimaka said. When that did not prove the case, the federal corporation agreed to hand the land over to Sarnia free-of-charge.

In fact, Canada Lands paid $42,000 to the city for the engineering work required to make the transfer.

“I think they realized it’s not developable,” Mayor Mike Bradley said. He called the tract a logical addition to Canatara Park.

Remedial work could begin as early as June and will primarily involve monitoring to ensure there is no migration of gas off the site, Palimaka said.

Point Edward was given the chance to purchase the property in November 1998 but declined, according to village clerk Joe Simon.

The City of Sarnia has acquired a tract of land that will be incorporated into Canatara Park.

….. page 116 continued

Map T1 shows the topography in this property. The higher land around the beach ridge (fossil recurve) is dominated by a black oak woodland while the lower area is covered by a gray (119) dogwood thicket and the filled-in section contains early successional trees such as Manitoba maple, willow and poplar. As noted below, an asphalt trail is located on the railway embankment that forms the western boundary of the property. The land is now being left undisturbed as part of the Meadowland Nature Preserve.

119

In April and May of 2000 a short-live controversy arose over the acquisition of this land by Sarnia, as noted in five newspaper articles on the following pages. An April 3 Observer editorial claimed that Sarnia would now be responsible for cleaning up the “costly mess” in this “useless piece of scrub land”. However, Sarnia Council was obviously correct in obtaining this property since, as Mayor Mike Bradley pointed out, the cost to the city for cleaning up the Canatara landfill would have been far greater if a residential subdivision had been built in the triangular land. The parcel is also a valuable addition to the park as indicated by the fact that the city had attempted to acquire it for incorporation into Canatara at various times in the past.

120

Remedial Work: 2000 – 2001

In the 2000- 2001 period remedial work was undertaken in and around the Canatara landfill as reported in the April 14 and July 27 Observer articles below. Several underground steel containment walls were installed to prevent oil in the former sludge dump from spreading into Lake Chipican and adjacent residential areas in Point Edward. Between May & June 2001 the trees coloured green on the aerial photo shown on page 104, were removed from both the southwest corner of the landfill and the eastern side of the triangular property as shown on the June 5 Observer photo, page 105. This area was then covered with about a meter of clay soil as depicted on Map W6, page 106. The area is now being allowed to return to its natural state where the vegetation will grow and change according to the ecological succession processes, as has occurred in the rest of the landfill since 1975.

In the fall of 2001 an asphalt trail was constructed on the railway embankment that forms the western boundary of the triangular land as shown on Map T1 and the November 24 Observer photo on page 107.

Note: As recorded in Volume 10, in 2012 the steel retaining wall on the south side of Lake Chipican had to be extended westward toward the Children’s Farm. 121

EDITORIAL

Purchase May Prove Costly for City Council

April 3, 2000

City council may have waded into a costly mess by agreeing to take over 10 acres of contaminated property in Point Edward. The transfer was completed last week, giving Sarnia a strip of land near Front Street and Michigan Avenue. When the news was announced, city politicians put a positive spin on it, declaring they intended on using the property to extend Canatara Park. In fact, an engineering consultant has already been hired to assess the property. A development and remedial plan is anticipated to be approved within the next few months.

But what the politicians didn’t make a big deal about is the fact that the lands in question are adjacent to a former dump that was open from 1930 to the late 1960’s. And it’s believed industrial waste was buried there.

The situation is serious enough that the properties former owner, CN Rail, had to abandon a plan to build homes on it 10 years ago. Environmental tests showed methane gas had migrated to the property and oil was pooling in places, making uit unfit for residential development.

In the mid-90’s , CN Real Estate sold the acreage to Canada Lands Company, a federally-owned corporation that purchased numerous CN tracts across the country. Canada Lands eventually concluded it wasn’t worth anything from a development point of view and handed it over to the city free of charge. Canada Lands was so anxious to get rid of it that it paid $42,000 to the city for engineering work required to make the transfer. That should have set off alarm bells at city hall.

Interestingly, Point Edward was given the chance to purchase the property first, but turned it down.

Before city council accepted the property it should have determined how much the remedial work will cost.

We’re told the work could begin in June and will primarily involve monitoring to ensure there is no significant gas migration off the site. Hopefully, the cost won’t be significant. But whatever it costs, it’s too much. Taxpayers are going to end up paying at least some money for a useless piece of scrub land , located far from Canatara’s main picnic areas. What will happen if it’s determined that gas is escaping from the property onto adjoining lands? If that happens will the city be responsible for a costly cleanup? That question should have been answered before council accepted what could very well turn out to be an environmental white elephant.

122

Clean Up Dump Waste, Horner Tells Bradley

Sarnia Observer – May 9, 2000

By Cathy Dobson

Mayor Mike Bradley says work will start this summer to stop contaminants from migrating off an old city dump that is now in Point Edward.

But the village’s mayor say she wants guarantees that Sarnia is serious about getting the job done quickly.

Sarnia’s mayor and council are very outspoken about Welland Chemical cleaning up their waste and we would like the same consideration in the Village of Point Edward after five long years of discussion,” Horner commented to The Observer.

“We want a timeframe, and we want a commitment from Sarnia that it will all be cleaned up,” she said.

But Bradley said he is puzzled at Horner’s insistence. City council has already taken steps to ensure the work gets under way as quickly as possible.

The city recently passed a resolution to do the engineering work for remediation of the property, he said.

We’ve spent a lot of time on this, trying to determine how to solve the problem,” Bradley said. Whatever has to be done will be done. The money is there for it”

The land in question is a former dump site located between Canatara Park and Michigan Avenue. The old dump was used as a landfill by numerous parties between 1930 and 1965 and it’s believe industrial waste was buried there.

In late March, the city purchased about nine acres adjacent to the former dump. That triangle of land was bought from the Canada Lands Company for $1. Bradley said the city, “got an excellent deal” in that Canada Lands actually paid $42,000 to Sarnia for the engineering work required to make the land transfer.

On Monday, Bradley clarified why the city purchased the land. Not only will it become a nice addition to the park, it will also make it less expensive to contain any migration of contaminants from the old dump, he said.

Rather than remove the contaminants, the plan is to build walls underground that will contain the pollutants and stop them from moving off the property. It’s believe the contaminates have already migrated to the former Canada Lands property that runs along Front Street.

“Unless we owned the Canada Lands piece, we would have to spend millions to build walls on two properties,” Bradley said. “It’s my understanding that we’ve saved hundreds of thousands of dollars because we can treat it as one piece of land now.”

Specifically, the contaminants involve soil that has oily material locked into it.

Bradley said the city has not ruled out the possibility of litigation. “There was a number of users on the site, not just the city using the dump,” he said. “But right now, we’re more interested in the remediation.”

Money is available for the costly project because of the environmental surcharge Sarnians pay on their water bills.

“Had we not purchased the land, the Ministry of The Environment would have filed an order against us to clean it up”, Bradly said.

City solicitor Alex Palimaka said today that a remediation plan will likely go to council for approval on May 29.

The Ministry of the Environment and city representatives have already met to talk about the best way to handle the problem, he said. As for Horner, she and her council members met with Sarnia MPP Caroline DiCocco last week and asked that pressure be increased on Sarnia to get the job done.

“We’ve also told our lawyer to pursue this with Sarnia,” she said.

Cleaning Ex-dump at Canatara Could Cost $200,000

The Observer – May 16, 2000

By Dan McCaffery

Sarnians could end up paying through the nose for a proposed addition to Canatara park.

In fact, it could cost the city up to $200,000 to clean up contaminated lands, including property it purchased from the federal government for one dollar last winter. After that there could be ongoing monitoring costs of $20,000 to $30,000 per year, Mayor Mike Bradley admitted Monday.

The property in question is a former garbage dump located between Canatara and Michigan Avenue.

Bradley said the site will eventually make a nice addition to Canatara. It will also make it less expensive to contain any migration of contaminants from the old dump, he said. Rather than remove the contaminants, the plan is to build walls underground that will contain the pollutants and stop them from moving off the property. It’s believed the contaminants have already migrated to the former Canada Lands property that runs along Front Street.

At an in-camera meeting Monday, council decided not to take legal action at this time against former users of the site, including the Village of Point Edward and local industries.

The mayor said the council is more interested in cleaning up the site than it is in getting into a legal battle. In addition to municipal garbage, the site was used as a dump by Chemical Valley firms.

“We have not foreclosed the possibility of litigation against third parties but we want to get on with remediation (a cleanup)”, Bradley said.

He added the cost of a cleanup could be, “a couple of hundred thousand dollars,” The money would come from the city’s environmental reserve fund.

He expects the cleanup to begin in June but does not know when it will be completed.

Council to Clean-up Canatara

Sarnia This Week – May 17, 2000

Sarnia City Council has decided that its immediate focus is on cleaning up land on Michigan and Front Streets.

The 10 acres of land, near Milano’s Drive In, was acquired by the city for $1 from Canada Lands in March for expanding Canatara Park. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says council was aware the land was a former dump and hazardous waste site and set aside money in its reserve. Bradley says the clean-up will cost approximately $100,000 and will involve about $20,000 in ongoing monitoring costs.

He says the contamination is in patchy spots and involves oil surfacing and some migration, but does not pose a danger to area residents.

While the city has not ruled out future litigation against Imperial Oil and the Village of Point Edward, its immediate focus is on clean up. A remediation plan is expected to come before council on May 29. Clean-up will start in June.

124

Nature Winning Surface War Against Dump

The Observer – May 27, 2000

By George Mathewson

At the foot of Front Street, where Sarnia collides with Point Edward, the forces of nature are slowly winning a war.

This part of Canatara Park is built over a landfill site, and 25 years after the last rail car dumped its final load of rubbish, our past still shows through.

Concrete chunks, broken bottles and refrigerator doors float above the greenery like scum on a pond. Wildflowers have sprung up everywhere, but the clouds of purple phlox and catnip can’t completely hide all the old boots and rotten boards.

In this out-of-the-way place, frequented by dog walkers and kids on mountain bikes, can be found the remains of illicit camp-fires . And deep among the trees, around the base of an old willow, the remains of a Huck Finn hideaway.

But it’s not what’s on the ground that troubles politicians and environmentalists. It’s what’s under it.

Between 1930 & 1965, tonnes of municipal and industrial waste were buried here, and just what’s mixed in with the harmless scrap isn’t clear. Tar patches have bubbled up to the surface, and in the summer of 1997, a boom had to be brought in to protect wildlife from a mysterious oily sheen that appeared on nearby Lake Chipican.

Test wells have been sunk to monitor the migration of chemical contaminants, and more than $150,000 has been spent already studying the mess within.

In March, Sarnia bought nine acres CN Rail right-of-way immediately to the west for one dollar. Canada Lands Corporation, which had planned to develop the triangleshaped tact with residential housing, gladly bailed out when the full extent of the environmental problem became known.

With the additional land, the city can now sink underground containment walls around the dump’s periphery to prevent any further spread of chemicals. A plan could be approved by council on Monday, at a cost of a couple hundred thousand dollars.

In the meantime, the lush greenery squeezes up and over the debris. Scuttling insects work their reductive magic. A butterfly pauses on a car tire,

In this surface battle against human waste, nature appears to be winning.

This rusting front end of a vehicle is slowly being swallowed by nature in Canatara Park

Earth Will Cover Up Former Dump

The Observer – April 14, 2001

By Cathy Dobson

Final work to contain a former dump-site is about to get underway at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Front Street.

A convoy of trucks will start moving earth this spring from an area the city is preparing for development just north of Highway 402.

The soil will be spread 2.5 feet deep over the old landfill to prevent the earth underneath from being disturbed in the future, according to city engineer Reg McMichael.

“Then we will reseed and make it look nice,” McMichael said at a recent meeting between Sarnia and Point Edward politicians,

Covering the former dump with soil is the final step in a lengthy process to ensure contaminates don’t migrate off the site, which is within the Village of Point Edward but owned by the City of Sarnia.

The property in question is located between Canatara Park and Michigan Avenue and was used as a landfill by numerous parties between 1930 and 1965. Sarnia, Sarnia Township and Point Edward dumped there and it is believed industrial waste is also buried there.

Through the 1990’s, the village became increasingly concerned that underground pools of oil would start moving toward residential neighbourhoods. At one time, CN real Estate had hoped to develop the property with housing but abandoned that plan when contaminates were found.

The city eventually purchased an addition nine acres adjacent to the former dump from the Canada Lands Company for one dollar. The remedial plan called for underground sheet pile walls to be built around the entire landfill and former Canada Lands property, to contain any pollutants.

Those walls are now built and the site is being regularly monitored.

“The soil that we’ll truck down has some clay, some topsoil,” McMichael said. “We’ll put it on there so people don’t accidently turn up the soil underneath that may or may not have oil residue.”

The city has agreed to pay the entire cost of containing the site. Final figures are not yet in but are estimated at $300,000 for all the work, according to city lawyer Alex Palimaka.

“Right now, there’s no evidence of off-site migration,” he commented.

Former Village Landfill Will Be Returned to Its Natural State

Sarnia Observer – July 27, 2001

By Donald Change

Remediation work at a former landfill site has wrapped up, with trucks dumping their final load of dirt at the corner of Michigan and Front late last week.

Dirt has been transported from an east end area being prepared for development and spread 2.5 feet deep along the entire 69 acres of the former landfill site.]

Trees and shrubs that had long been a fixture on the property since it ceased operations as a landfill in the late 1960’s were removed earlier this year causing some to wonder just what would be done on this site.

My understanding is that it will simply be allowed to go to nature again,” commented Mayor Mike Bradley. “You can’t do anything else over there.”

Removing the existing trees and shrubs was necessary because of the contaminates in the soil, Bradley added.

“They wouldn’t be able to cover the area properly if the tress had remained. Those will be replaced.”

Donald Pletch, deputy city engineer, said no plans had been made to do any landscaping at the site.

“I don’t think there are any plans to replant anything there yet,” he said. “We will be reseeding in August, but that’s about it. Trees grew there after the site was decommissioned without us planting there, maybe it will happen again.”

Costs for the remediation are within the $500,000 to $800,00 estimate provided by Golder Associates last year, Pletch added.

“We don’t know the final totals yet but the majority of that budget was taken up by the environmental assessment and the oil recovery wells,” he said.

The dirt cover is the final step in the city’s efforts to contain contaminants from the former dump on site after it was found that there was some leaching of an oily substance toward Canatara Park,

Besides the dirt cap, three retaining walls made of sheet pile has been imbedded underground and oil collection wells built behind them to prevent further leaching toward Lake Chipican and residential areas.

Studies done in 1992 showed a high level of metals and petrochemical hydrocarbons in the earth as well as the floating pool of oil that was moving towards the lake.

The site will cost about $40,000 to maintain once all work has been completed.

Aerial Photo – Landfill Triangle

Trees Cleared From Former Landfill Site

June 5, 2001

A section of Canatara Park looks more like a Northern Ontario logging camp as workers remove trees from the former landfill site. Clearing and cutting the large section of land started last week. Heavy machinery is in the process of removing logs and chipping the underbrush and branches. The site will then be covered with one meter of clay and topsoil, reseeded and then planted over with trees. Depending on the weather it’s expected to take six weeks to complete the project.

June 5, 2001 – photo by Glenn Ogilvie

Winding Pathway Installed at Former Sarnia Dump Site

The Observer – November 24, 2001

By Cathy Dobson

POINT EDWARD – Remedial work on the former dump at Michigan Avenue and Front Street is winding down and the barren corner will soon be attractively landscaped.

A winding pathway that hooks up to the village trail near Louisa Street was being asphalted this week thanks to the Blue Water Trails committee and the village. Each is paying about $13,000 to establish the link between the old Grand Trunk Railway path and the sidewalk that follows Front Street to Centennial Park.

“It’s quite an exciting plan for us” says Brad Gray of Blue Water Trails. This is the first time his committee has joined forces with a municipality outside of Sarnia. Right now the new section of bikeway covers a sterile block of land that, until last spring, was covered in long grasses, brush and trees.

However the city stripped the corner of all vegetation in order to clean up the 69acre former dump site that once belonged to Sarnia. Since the dump closed, Point Edward took over ownership but pressed the city to clean up the landfill, which ceased operations in the 1960’s.

Three underground containment walls have been installed to stop any migration of gases or leaching from the former dump, and oil recovery wells have been built. In addition, the trees and scrub were removed to get at contaminants in the soil, the ground was stripped and now new landfill and topsoil is going down.

Village clerk, Joe Simon, says he understands the city intends to plant some new trees and grass the area.

In total, the city estimated the cost of remediation at $500,000 to $800,000 but no final figures are available.

Studies done in 1992 showed a high level of metals and petrochemical hydrocarbons in the earth as well as a floating pool of oil that was moving toward the lake.

Point Edward Mayor Dick Kirkland is joined by Rose Atkins, health promotions officer at the Lambton Health Unit and member of the Bluewater Trails Committee, as they walk along the newest 530 meters of trail which extended from Michigan Avenue to the existing trail at Louisa Street.

Ron Sayers Aerial Photos

Between July of 1996 and April of 1997 Ron Sayers took a large number of oblique aerial photos of the park from his airplane. Provided below are 15 of these photos taken in the summer and autumn of 1996 and another 14 of photos taken in the winter and spring of 1997. Several more can be found in Volume 10.

Notice that the summer photos 6,7,& 8 taken over the west beach show the submerged wreck of the Gladstone.

The autumn Photo 2 shows the “saw-tooth shoreline” created when a large number of groynes are installed along a beach. This occurs because the currents that carry sand and gravel along a beach usually move in one direction. The sand and gravel tend to accumulate on the side of the groyne from which the current is moving. As Photo 2 reveals, in the Canatara area the current is moving from east to west, or from the upper right to the lower left in the photo.

The winter Photo 5 shows the patches of snow cleared off the ice on Lake Chipican for hockey.

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The spring Photo 1 shows the park boundary marked with an orange dotted line.

The spring Photo 5 shows the high water levels at that time, with the north end of Lake Chipican encroaching on the park road and the road north of the Children’s Farm completely flooded.

CPPV Activities: 2000 – 2002

The volunteers continued their ongoing projects until 2002 when they ended their activities in the park. The members during this period were: Gerry Clements, Art Teasell, Dennis Crockford, Don Silliman, Jack Fraser, Larry Neil, Brian Roberts, Carol Churchman, Bob Spears and Terry McCallum, Director of Community Services.

Perhaps in the future another group of volunteers will undertake projects in Canatara similar to those initiated by the CPPV in the 1990’s.

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Summer 1996 (1)

Ron Sayers Aerial Photos

Summer 1996 (3)

Summer 1996 (8)

Autumn 1996 (6)

Winter 1997 (6)

Winter 1997 (7)