Dowie Unveils Urgent New Parks Bill at Queen’s Park Today

UPDATE: Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie is set to introduce a groundbreaking piece of legislation, Bill 26, at Queen’s Park this evening. The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Amendment Act aims to create new classes of provincial parks, bringing outdoor activities closer to urban residents.

Dowie’s proposal, which will be presented on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, introduces two innovative park categories: Urban Class Parks and Adventure Class Parks. Urban parks are designed to integrate nature into city life, allowing residents to enjoy outdoor recreational activities just minutes from home.

In an interview with AM800’s The Shift, Dowie emphasized the need for Adventure Class Parks, which will cater to more intensive recreational pursuits such as rock climbing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and ATVing. “You have to change the natural environment to have these recreational opportunities,” Dowie stated, highlighting the balance between conservation and recreation.

This legislation does not aim to diminish existing protections but rather to expand the provincial park system. “There is room for higher intensity activities that involve motorized vehicles and land use,” Dowie explained. He pointed to urban areas like Hamilton, where natural features such as trails and waterfalls are surrounded by housing developments. “Even if they are in the middle of housing developments, those caves and waterfalls can still be part of the provincial park system,” he said.

If passed, Bill 26 will undergo further review by a standing committee, where public input will be considered. The introduction of this bill represents a significant shift in how Ontario approaches outdoor recreation and conservation, potentially transforming urban landscapes into vibrant recreational hubs.

Dowie’s initiative responds to the growing demand for accessible outdoor activities in urban settings. With cities expanding rapidly, the need for integrated green spaces is more critical than ever. Residents will be closely watching how this legislation progresses, as it holds the potential to reshape their outdoor experiences.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.