Plans are already afoot for improved passive parkland along Kempenfelt Bay’s south shore.
A citizens' working group is in place and has strong suggestions for the City of Barrie about how to enhance the natural habitat of Allandale Station Park, located just east of Military Heritage Park, near the waterfront.
This comes hot on the heels of Marshall Green’s Aug. 14 report, titled The Southshore, Barrie Sports and a Revitalized Downtown, which recommends not building a synthetic turf, multi-purpose youth sports field and parade grounds, close to Lakeshore Drive, on a portion of Allandale Station Park’s 16.3 acres.
“Over the span of just a couple days, these knowledgeable folks (in the citizens' working group) have come up with several wonderful options and ideas of how to enhance Allandale Station Park's natural habitat as a growing, living, yet passive and educational space on our waterfront,” said Arnie Ivsins, organizer of rallies at Barrie City Hall’s courtyard, against the sports field’s location, and of silent protests in the Council Chambers.
Green, a retired lawyer with a specialty in municipal law and land-use planning, not only nixed the sports field and parade grounds, but offered alternatives.
His report reads: "That the city develop the current wooded area and meadow on the south shore as a passive park that protects existing wildlife and with trail systems that are accessible; and that the park also include an educational component; and that citizen groups and service clubs in the city be engaged with the city’s parks department to develop the park; and that the lands ultimately designated for this part of the park be zoned environmental protection (instead of open space)."
Barrie resident Gwen Petreman said she agrees with Green’s recommendations for Allandale Station Park.
“In order for wildlife and humans to survive here on Earth, we need native landscapes filled with biodiversity,” she said. “Today, unfortunately, biodiversity is in an alarming decline due to climate chaos, habitat loss and invasive species.
“The very best food sources for all wildlife, such as birds and pollinators, are the native flora and native trees which occur naturally in an eco-region,” added Petreman, while pointing out that Barrie is a bird-friendly and bee-friendly city. “These native plants, in the course of thousands of years, have adapted beautifully to the present conditions.”
Petreman is a children's author-illustrator, educator, environmentalist and presenter.
Ivsins, a member of Friends of Allandale Station Park, which opposed the sports field's proposed location, said citizens' groups and service clubs are already on the job.
“This group is composed of individuals and groups with an environmental background, such as Pollinate Barrie and Nature Barrie, as well as members of our Indigenous community,” Ivsins said, noting he is awaiting responses from Barrie Garden Club, Living Green and service clubs.
Ivsins said this working group currently consists of Kelly Patterson McGrath, Ashley Hammell, Geri Poisson, Dorothy McKeown, Phyllis Tremblay, Peter Bursztyn, Vanessa Kennedy, Jeff Monague and Barb Marshall.
To this point, the suggestions include tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and other various designs and species plantings, to support and enhance the existing habitat. Resident and migratory species have also been discussed, along with signs and accessibility for all residents and visitors.
“A biologically diversified and a wildlife-friendly city contributes to the health and well-being of all of us. We are all connected in the web of life,” Petreman said. “We will all benefit from preserving the Allandale Station (Park) site, an environmentally protected area where wildlife can survive and thrive.”
The space would be called Allandale Station Native Savanna EcoPark.
The waterfront sports field was to be for soccer, rugby, football and lacrosse, and marching for the Sea Cadets/Navy League, and there could be amenities such as lighting, benches and site furnishings, along with a paved asphalt, 35-stall parking lot.
It has city council support from May 15, but a permit would still be required from Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, because its regulated area crosses the sports field’s top portion. An archaeological assessment would also be needed.
One day after Green’s report was made public, on Aug. 15, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall directed city staff to pause further work on council’s decision to go ahead with the sports field and parade ground, to allow for public consultation to take place and be presented to council later this fall. Nuttall took this action using a strong mayor powers directive, from Ontario’s Municipal Act.
Residents can participate in this consultation by taking a survey, which closes Sept. 25, or attending drop-in consultation Sept. 24, from 4-8 p.m., at General John Hayter Southshore Centre.
Ivsins asked that his working group meet with city staff, and councillors, during the week of Sept. 9 or the week of Sept. 16. But he says city staff told him Thursday it would be premature to meet outside of the approved public consultation process that was announced that morning.
