Community Voices of Fort Erie: News release                 August 7, 2018

 

COMMUNITY RALLIES TO SAVE WAVERLY WOODS FROM DEVELOPMENT

 

Fundraising; Ontario Municipal Board Appeal; Endangered Species; the last woodlands in Fort Erie along the Lake Erie shoreline

 

8/6/2018

 

Fort Erie, ON – For the past ten months, citizens in Fort Erie and tourists from around the world have expressed many concerns about the proposed Harbourtown Village development. Town Council voted to proceed with the development in March 2018. A local group, called the Community Voices of Fort Erie, spent months researching the environmental, cultural and historic significance of this area. This group realized that the Environmental Impact Study and the Archeological Assessment paid for by the development team were flawed.  Encouraged by an online petition on change.org called Save Waverly Woods in Fort Erie which now has over 3800 signatures, an appeal was submitted to the Ontario Government. The Ontario Municipal Board accepted this appeal.

 

Now this group faces an even bigger challenge because the appeal will go to a formal hearing. This is a legal process and the group requires funding to hire the best legal advice possible. Appeals like this are often stopped by the developer’s team of experts. Raising funds to fight for the community’s interest means fundraising and is often called a ‘bake sale appeal.’ The costs are enormous, but so, we believe, is the value of this property to local residents.

 

Donations can be made here https://www.forterievoices.ca/donation

 

Here are some upcoming events where you can learn more about the environmental, cultural and historic importance of this site.

 

Lake end of Helena Road at Waverly/Erie Beach Park

Saturday August 11

11 am to 2 pm

Join members of the Community Voices of Fort Erie to learn about the rich history connected to this property.  There will be an information centre at Waverly Woods, with archaeological survey results, articles, maps and more on Saturday, August 11th, from 11 am - 2 pm".  

 

Lake end of Helena Road at Waverly/Erie Beach Park

Saturday August 18

8 am to 11:30 am

Join members of the Community Voices of Fort Erie to learn about the nature of Waverly Woods.

 

When saved, this property could be a key component for a natural heritage system. It could also be a study site for the local schools to monitor climate change and endangered species. The biggest impact however will be tourism. This area is already used by tourists but could be an even more valuable resource if properly monitored and managed. The Leamington area benefits by over $ 14 million during the month of May, most of that money going to local residents and businesses. It is a unique site in Niagara because of its accessibility to Buffalo and the GTA.

 

For further information contact

Community Voices of Fort Erie

Marcie Jacklin, President

 

 CVFErie@gmail.com