We received an email from the Friends of Twelve Mile Creek, sharing their story of the Canada Summer Games mountian bike racecourse which is being constructed in their park:

Dear Friends of Walker’s Creek,
My name is Harry McMaster and I am a member of the Friends of Twelve Mile Creek. We are a grassroots social movement, committed to maintaining good stewardship of the Twelve Mile Creek area. I am writing to your organization today to make you and your members aware of our cause and to ask for your support.

The 5 W’s of our cause:
Who: Canada Summer Games
What: Mountain Bike Racecourse Development for the 2022 Canada Games
When: Now
Where: Twelve Mile Creek Ravine, near Riverview Blvd. and Lockhart Drive, St. Catharines
Why: To protect pristine greenbelt forest in a sensitive ravine setting

Our cause is currently opposing the construction of a mountain bike racecourse being constructed as we speak along the Twelve Mile Creek in St. Catharines. The area in question is a forested ravine near Riverview Blvd. and Lockhart Drive. It is a beautiful, natural area that is habitat to many flora and fauna. The residents of this quiet neighbourhood have access to this area through a single walking trail and can experience nature on a daily basis.
This racecourse, which will become a permanent feature along the Twelve Mile Creek, will create irreparable harm to the environment and far exceed the current infrastructure in place. Trees have already been cut down and course construction is underway, displacing wildlife and doing structural damage to an already vulnerable ravine environment.
We have a proposal for the Canada Summer Games. Twelve Mile Creek was not the original location of the mountain bike racecourse. The original location was near Brock University and featured ideal terrain, existing trails and close proximity to the Canada Summer Games Park, as well as the university’s facilities. The reason for the change of location is unconfirmed. We ask for your support of our proposal that the course be moved back to the original location.
I have attached a letter from one of our members, Steve Bauer, who is a retired professional cyclist and has been involved in organizing the Canada Games in the past. I am happy to send you further information as well as ways you can support. You can also contact our group’s official email at: info@friendsof12milecreek.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Friendsof12MileCreek
Change.org: https://www.change.org/ProtectTwelveMileCreek

Thank you for reading,
Harry McMaster

 

The City planning department is hosting an Open House on October 13th at 6pm, online, using Zoom to discuss the development plans for 239 Lakeshore Road lands adjacent to Walker’s Creek.
Click here for more information

We planted 500 trees and shrubs on the bluff at the lake in Cherie Rd Park.
Click here to read the Niagara This Week article about the event!