More people, more problems at Creemore Nature Preserve

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An increase in visitors to the Creemore Nature Preserve has unfortunately resulted in an increase in bad behaviour and the need for parking.
Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) program director for eastern Ontario Rob McRae is hoping to work with the township to come to some mutually beneficial solutions for the Creemore Nature Preserve, formerly called the Mingay Tract, off County Road 9, west of the village.
He said the problem is not unique to the Creemore Nature Preserve, which he points out is promoted on the Discover Clearview website.
A letter from Concession Road 6 South resident Gerry Ranking highlights ongoing problems with parking, dogs off leash, litter, and tailgating.
“When the Conservancy was established in 1969…there were limited visitors. That is no longer the case (especially with Covid), with literally hundreds of people flocking to the Conservancy with little, if any, concern for anyone other than themselves,” writes Ranking.
In a presentation to council on June 14, McRae said options for parking on the NCC property are limited due to the restricted uses of the site as dictated by the terms of the land donation and is hoping to work together with municipal staff and council to formalize a parking area on Concession 6 South.
He was also asking for support from the township’s bylaw department to enforce parking violations and crack down on people who let their dogs off leash. He said the NCC is installing additional signage but is also asking permission to add a sign on the municipal road allowance.
“In combination with visitor education initiatives, enforcement of the municipal bylaw could be a very effective tool to improve this rather challenging situation,” said McRae.
Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, who sits on the Niagara Escarpment Commission, said parking has been a big issue and it is being developed on NEC lands to accommodate the need.
“The reality is if we are going to create these preserves and brag about them and promote them to the public we’ve got to be able to provide parking spaces,” said Burton. “Sticking up no-parking everywhere is not the solution.”
Mayor Doug Measures asked that the NCC seek out guidance on how it can use its own lands for parking
“I’m not sure if accessing municipal lands to create another parking lot on municipal land is actually going to solve the problem for you in the end,” said Measures adding that they set up a program to monitor the site and collect garbage left there. “It gets complicated when you start establishing a park, as the deputy mayor said, and then it becomes hugely popular and then that gets dumped on the municipality to solve it for you.”
In the end he directed township staff to work with the NCC to come up with some ideas.

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