For over twenty years, Oakwood Park has been a core part of our neighborhood - a park residents paid for, helped design, and relied on when buying our homes. We purchased here with the clear understanding that this green space was permanent. Rezoning or developing it now reverses those commitments and breaks community trust. This is not “unused land”; it is an active, well-loved space beside our schools, in a community already stretched to its limit and unable to sustain additional residents.

The Municipality of Lakeshore is now considering a rezoning decision that would eliminate one of the only long-established green spaces in our area. Oakwood Park has served families, children, and seniors for decades, providing safe recreation, daily use, and essential access to nature within a neighborhood that was planned, and sold to us, with this park at its center.

Rezoning Oakwood Park disregards the promises made to residents who invested in this neighborhood with the assurance that this land would remain protected park space. Beyond contradicting prior commitments, such a decision would intensify traffic gridlock, overwhelm already full schools and childcare services, and place additional strain on roads, utilities, and emergency response capacities - systems that are already struggling to keep up with existing demand.

Green spaces are proven to improve quality of life, support physical and mental health, and create safer, stronger and more connected communities. The proposed rezoning of this park raises serious concern, as it threatens the mature trees and natural habitats that make it a peaceful place for residents. Replacing this green space with development will introduce noise, stress, and environment harm, taking away resources that benefits everyone. 

In a neighborhood operating beyond capacity, Oakwood Park is not a luxury - it is a lifeline. Removing it would take away one of the few remaining resources that still supports the health, safety, and stability of our area.

There are better solutions. The Municipality of Lakeshore can pursue development on the many existing vacant lots, underused parcels, and areas intentionally designated for future housing, not by destroying a fully established park that residents paid for, helped design, and have depended on for more than twenty years.

We urge the Municipality of Lakeshore to honor its long-standing commitments and reject any rezoning or redevelopment of Oakwood Park. The trust, safety, and well-being of this community depend on preserving the park that was promised to us, protected for us, and built with our direct involvement.

Want to get involved? Please attend the Municipality of Lakeshores meetings - Change starts in numbers!

1.  A virtual information session on November 10, 2025 from 10:00AM - 11:00AM (to register, email: purchasing@lakeshore.ca)
2. A site meeting will be hosted on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (to register, email: purchasing@lakeshore.ca ...... or just show up!)
3. Information session Thursday, November 13 from 6:00PM-8:00PM at Atlas Tube Rec Center Renaud Room, 447 Renaud Line Rd, Belle River (no registration required)

IMPORTANT: TOWN HALL MEETING NOV 18 AT 6PM AT 419 NOTRE DAME ST, BELLE RIVER - THIS IS WHERE THE VOTING TO SAVE OAKWOOD PARK WILL TAKE PLACE - THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD - PLEASE COME SUPPORT AND/OR VOICE YOUR CONCERNS! you sign up as a delegate to speak before council using this link: https://www.lakeshore.ca/municipal-services/council/speaking-before-council/

Please sign this petition or attend the town hall meeting to save Oakwood Park and uphold the commitments made to our community.