Whereas:      

• The Pebble Beach/Glen Watford wetlands and forested area is bordered by Canadian National Rail to the north, Town of Cobourg limits to the west, Lake Ontario to the south, and Glen Watford Road to the east.
• The wetlands and forested area is an undeveloped, natural area that is home to threatened and endangered species on the Species At Risk in Ontario List, including monarch butterflies and American bumblebees.
• Some of the land is privately owned, with over half of the parcels still in possession by the Town of Cobourg.
• It is not possible for residential development based on environmental considerations (wetlands, creek, and proximity to lake) and no neighbouring infrastructure (water, sewer, electricity).
• The Pebble Beach/Glen Watford neighbourhood is not suitable for additional residential traffic with only one entrance/exit, no sidewalks, narrow roads and no streetlights.
• The neighbourhood has become a frequent destination for active Cobourg residents due to the neighbourhood’s design and construction of designated bike lanes on King Street West.
• The Town of Cobourg is short on forested recreational trails within the town limits and would benefit from another conserved space for residents to exercise and enjoy.

We the undersigned citizens of Cobourg and Ontario, call upon the Town of Cobourg Council to:

1. Ask staff to study the Pebble Beach/Glen Watford wetlands and forested area to explore the feasibility of building a walking trail;
2. Place a moratorium on any permitting or construction within the Pebble Beach/Glen Watford wetlands and forested area to give staff sufficient time to study the feasibility of a walking trail; and,
3. Engage the County of Northumberland, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Northumberland Land Trust, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and other relevant community groups, to explore the acquisition and conservation of the land within the Pebble Beach/Glen Watford wetlands and forested area.