The Ojibway Shores land was originally earmarked for industrial development/Windsor Port Authority

A proposed national urban park in Windsor has taken a big step forward with the completion of the Ojibway Shores land transfer from Transport Canada to Parks Canada.

The property has significant ecological value as it includes the only remaining undeveloped shoreline of the Detroit River in the Windsor-Detroit area and offers a vital ecological connection between the river and the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

Parks Canada says that creating a park in this Ontario city “is an opportunity to champion Indigenous stewardship, elevate Indigenous perspectives and storytelling, and promote connections to lands and waters based on Indigenous Knowledge and values.”

The federal government can now begin the process of remediation through cleanup operations that will benefit the local environment and the many species of plants and animals that depend on it for survival. Ojibway Shores provides critical habitat for many rare and threatened species. It’s an important stop-over for migratory birds including eight species at risk and the natural shoreline acts as a movement corridor and provides nesting habitat for turtles such as the endangered Spiny Softshell.

As well, the pre-feasibility phase for the proposed park has been successfully completed.

At an event to announce progress on the proposed national urban park in Windsor, these people gathered (from left): Dr. Chris Houser (Interim Vice President Research and Innovation, University of Windsor), Irek Kusmierczyk (Member of Parliament, Windsor—Tecumseh), Lasalle Mayor Crystal Meloche, Caroline MacIntosh (Executive Director, Protected Areas and Establishment Branch, Parks Canada), David Piccini (Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario), Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Clint Jacobs (Walpole Island First Nation), Andrew Dowie (Member of Provincial Parliament, Windsor Tecumseh) and Windsor Port Authority President/CEO Steve Salmons/Parks Canada

Parks Canada has also provided $1.3 million ($970,00 USD) to the City of Windsor for the purchase of a strategic property on Titcombe Road. It’s the only developed residential property on this road and is surrounded by the proposed national urban park study area.

Finally, Parks Canada released a background document and discussion paper to solicit input from partners, stakeholders and the public to inform a new National Urban Parks Policy.
This policy will guide the designation and management of new national urban parks across the country to ensure that they meet the program objectives of conserving nature, connecting people with nature, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

"Walpole Island First Nation supports the proposed national urban park in Windsor, and Parks Canada's efforts to bring partners together to realize this shared vision,” Clint Jacobs, Supervisor, Nin.Da.Waab.Jig/Walpole Island Heritage Centre, said in a news release. ”Our nation wishes to co-manage and co-govern this park — this is our aim — to ensure the park protects for all time its special ecosystems and rare species, and the Nation's youth and elders in particular can take part in its management and care."

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said residents in Windsor-Essex “have long known that Ojibway is a precious area — rich in culture and heritage, and boasting a unique and incredible ecosystem.”

The Ojibway Shores lands are currently vacant, undeveloped and accessible to the public. They are next to the Gordie Howe International Bridge Canadian plaza site and to land within the Ojibway Prairie Complex, a collection of five closely situated municipal and provincial parks and natural areas.

Parks Canada has also launched exploratory processes for other potential national urban parks in various municipalities across the country including Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Halifax. Early discussions are also underway in Montreal.

These new parks will be managed under a range of flexible governance models, including federally administered places, third party administered places and various partnership approaches.