LONG SAULT, Ontario – Over the weekend, a Facebook group formed called Save Long Sault Park and Forest. Members are concerned about the proposed development on the plot of land next to the Long Sault fire hall.
“The Township of South Stormont has seen it fit to sell off a the most beautiful historical park in Long Sault for development,” said Michael Szymkowiak, an administrator of the Facebook group in a post on Facebook. “This park has mature trees for shade as well as a forested portion where kids love to adventure and build forts. Our community does not want or need this land to be developed and feels as though this has been done underhandedly by counsel, without adequate public knowledge or consultation.”
According to Jim Bancroft, the Mayor of the Township of South Stormont, this land was never designated as a park and its sale has been advertised since December 2015. An ad from the Township of South Stormont for a Request for Proposal to develop the land behind the fire hall, referred to as the Barnhart property, was placed in the Seaway News on Dec. 10, 2015.
Bancroft explained that some of the proceeds from the sale of the land are going to be used to build a park next to the Long Sault arena.
The land next to the fire hall has been purchased by JF Markell Homes Ltd. and John Markell explained that the sale of the land closed early in 2018. Markell also explained that it was his wish to preserve as many trees as possible.
“Any tree that will not be in the way of the sewer or the road will be kept,” Markell said.
Markell went on to say that he is very passionate about trees and that his company is not interested in clear cutting.
According to Markell, the swing set and many of the trees on the land are actually on land still owned by the Township and the Township will be moving the swing set to make room for a future planned expansion of the fire hall.
Markell said that before any development is done on the land his company now owns, an Environment Assessment will be done which will include an endangered species count of local flora and fauna.
Markell says that he and his company plans on building residential homes on the site.
