Despite 98 per cent of public feedback pushing back on the move, the Ontario provincial government approved the transfer of around 60 per cent of Wasaga Beach from Ontario Parks oversight to the Town of Wasaga.
The municipality will now take over management of Beach Areas One and Two, New Wasaga, and Allenwood Beach, which make up the longest freshwater beach in the world. Plus, the Nancy Island Historic Site is being moved from the Provincial Parks Act to the Historical Parks Act to allow for a $25 million revitalization project.
The decision was posted in late January and has been met with pushback from residents, many of whom expressed concerns surrounding environmental impacts and the town’s capacity for conservation efforts.
“If the town gets control of areas of the provincial park, what is Wasaga’s plan for protecting that land? Who will monitor algae blooms? Will the beach be raked when it shouldn’t be? Will there be a body to test and monitor water quality? Will there be construction in this environmentally sensitive area?” reads one commenter.
Many others brought up concerns about how future development could impact the piping plover population, an endangered bird species currently monitored and protected by Ontario Parks. “This needs to take into consideration strong environmental protections and stewardship,” said another commenter. “This land is home to the endangered piping plover, who nest in the area. It’s a critical habitat for the species.”
Despite the negative feedback, Doug Ford’s government moved forward with the land transfer, which supports the town’s plan to turn Wasaga Beach into a “premier tourist destination.” The project, dubbed Destination Wasaga, received $38 million in funding from the province last spring and is intended to revitalize the beaches, downtown, and historic sites to attract private investments and create jobs.
Brian Smith, the mayor of Wasaga, defended the transfer in January, echoing a statement released last July in which he championed Wasagans once again having a say in Wasaga Beach’s future.
“This is not about selling out our natural heritage or sacrificing values. This is about restoring local voices and taking back responsibility for our community’s future,” said Smith. “For the first time in half a century, the people of Wasaga Beach may have a meaningful say in how we protect, enjoy, and share our waterfront.”
In the ’70s, the province bulldozed hundreds of homes, cottages, and businesses to create Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and allow public access to the beach. The razing, says Smith, “left our economy hollowed out and our future uncertain. We became dependent on two things we couldn’t control: the weather and provincial priorities.”
In preparation of the land transfer, Smith shared the town was engaging with conservation organizations, such as Birds Canada, and had launched a national search for a team of ecologists, designers, and planners to develop a community-led Waterfront Master Plan.
Related Story The Ontario government is asking for public feedback on the new ownership of Wasaga Beach
Related Story Wasaga Beach aims to revitalize town by selling a section of beachfront to developers for $14 million
Related Story Cottage country municipalities are cracking down on short-term rentals. But are the bylaws working?