News clips: Springwater Park occupation

By Cheryl Browne, Barrie Examiner April 2, 2013 

SPRINGWATER TWP. — Crows called warnings through the pines as smoke wafted gently from the chimney of the cabin in the woods.

Two First Nations women have taken possession of the log cabin in Springwater Provincial Park, promising they — along with their allies — will occupy the park until the issue of its closure is resolved between the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and various levels of government.

“This is Crown land. They need to consult with us and not necessarily us, but First Nations people about this land,” said Patricia Watts, an Anishinaabe native.

“There was no consultation. This goes back to our treaty rights,” said Elizabeth Brass Elson.

The women are referring to the Williams Treaties – dating back to the 18th century – that natives, and those with long memories in the federal government, say were originally signed with a blank deed attached where a map would be filled in later.

The map of the designated territories – from Quinte and York (Toronto) to Matchedash (Port Severn) and Lake Simcoe to Lake Huron — wasn’t completed to anyone’s satisfaction, and payments offered were less than 10% of the actual value of the land in question.

Fast-forward more than 130 years and the federal government’s failure to close the deal in 1787 is coming back to haunt them whenever natives aren’t consulted about changing the designation of natural land.

Sheltered in the small cabin that was formerly rented out to cross-country skiers for day trips, throughout their first day in their Occupy Springwater endeavour, the two women were joined by friends, park staff and the Ontario Provincial Police officers.

All ensured the women were warm, had enough wood for their fire and were strong in their resolve to remain vigilant in their stance against the park closure.

The two Anishinaabe women are no strangers to long, drawn-out political battles.

And, they’re not used to losing.

Both women successfully protested in 2009 against the landfill at Site 41, north of Elmvale, with farmers and other citizens concerned about a proposed dump being built on a natural aquifer.

After 161 days, Brass Elson walked away with her head held high, only to be called back into action two years later when a proposed mega-quarry was going to be given the go-ahead in Dufferin County in 2011.

After consistent pressure by residents and First Nations people, the owners of Highland Companies, an aggregate business, walked away from the project last November.

With little more than a few months notice by the MNR that they would be changing Springwater Park’s status from operational to non-operational March 31, two citizen groups and three levels of government have joined together to petition the ministry to reconsider their closure of the park.

Jolanta Kowalski, of the MNR Toronto office, said staff “are working with the OPP provincial liaison team and the two individuals peacefully protesting at Springwater to better understand their concerns.”

Kowalski said it’s not the first time a local park has been occupied.

“On May 3, 2012, park staff became aware of two individuals who were peacefully protesting in a small area just inside the southern boundary of Awenda Provincial Park (near Penetanguishene). The individuals were protesting a land surrender,” she wrote in an e-mail.

While she didn’t indicate what became of that protest, she does note that peaceful demonstrations are lawful.

The century-old park is home to 28 animals, including a black bear, a timber wolf, two foxes (red and silver), two skunks, a raccoon, two wild turkeys, a turkey vulture, a great horned owl, a peregrine falcon, two mute swans, three Canada geese, four white tailed deer, a bobcat, two lynx and two bald eagles.

The animals are slated to be moved to other sanctuaries this year. Until then, their previous caretaker will enter the park to feed them daily.

Watts and Brass Elson plan to spend their days making signs about their Occupy Springwater movement, promising a low-key occupation of the park until they get their positive message out and hopefully a peaceful resolution in place.

“We are stewards of the land. We are here as caretakers of the land, here to take care of our mother (earth) and her blood, which is the water,” Watts explained. “I feel our old spirits here and they’re happy we’re here.”

• The province’s new Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act is now in effect.

• The Act came into effect Sept. 4, 2007, replacing the Provincial Parks Act, which was more than 50 years old. The new legislation was drafted after extensive consultations, using input from the public, stakeholder groups, aboriginal communities and organizations, and the Ontario Parks Board of Directors.

• For the first time, ecological integrity will have first priority when planning and managing provincial parks and conservation reserves.

• Other benefits of the Act include: Enhanced accountability, requiring the Minister of Natural Resources to publicly report on the health of parks and protected areas at least every five years Increased protection, prohibiting major industrial uses such as mining and forestry, bylaw Streamlined legislation, regulating and managing provincial parks and conservation reserves under one act.

• The Act is a key initiative in support of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy and also complements the province’s Natural Spaces program and the Greenbelt Act.

• Ontario is now positioned as a Canadian leader in protected areas legislation. Our world-renowned system of provincial parks, conservation reserves and wilderness areas support natural heritage protection, and provide significant recreational and tourism benefits.

• The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act will guide how these special areas are planned and managed — ensuring that future generations will benefit from a cleaner, healthier and more diverse natural environment.

• courtesy Ontarioparks.com

by Laurie Watt Barrie Advance Apr 02, 2013 

The gates are closed at Springwater Park.

On Monday, the Ministry of Natural Resources changed the status of the park, which opened in 1927, to non-operational.

No longer can visitors drive in and park, enjoy the day-use picnic area, the playground or flush toilets.

They will, however, be able to park near the gate and walk in to enjoy the protected 193 hectares.

Two citizens’ groups are determined to keep the animal sanctuary in the park.

The MNR continues its quest to relocate the animals including a black bear, grey wolves, wild coyotes and wild turkeys which couldn’t survive in the wild.

“We never plan on stopping,” said Friends of Springwater Park’s Ian Taylor. “This week we hope to get our not-for-profit status. What we have proposed to the (park) superintendent is to keep the animals here.

“We’d pay for that and the salary of a staffer to care for the animals. We want to keep the animals because they’re part of a revenue stream.”

The MNR, however, continues working on relocating the animals.

“Relocation of these animals is ongoing, and in the interim, the animals will continue to be housed and cared for at the park,” said MNR senior media relations officer Jolanta Kowalski. “We are working closely with Zoocheck Canada to find suitable homes for the animals.”

Friends of Springwater Park is working on a business plan to present to the MNR in hopes of the park reopening April 1, 2014. The MNR website says only the park will be non-operational in the 2013 season.

That offers a bit of hope for the groups which continue to advocate.

“It’s up to the community, leaders and businesses to respond to a very strong message from the citizens that this (park) is an asset, not a liability,” said Springwater Park Citizens’ Coalition spokesperson Les Stewart. “We’ve never been under any illusions. No single citizens’ group could shoulder the insurance liability of 193 hectares of protected land.”

Last fall, the MNR announced Springwater Park would close, as it has been losing $100,000 year and requires $1 million in capital upgrades.

Visits peaked in 1993, with 65,000 visitors from June to September. Last year, only 33,303 people visited the park.

 

By Ian McInroy, Barrie Examiner  April 2, 2013 

SPRINGWATER TWP. — A group of First Nations members have set up camp and are occupying Springwater Provincial Park.

“The park has been closed down without any consultation to the First Nations,” Elizabeth Brass Elson, of Idle No More, said Monday.

“The group will be occupying these Crown lands until the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the provincial government consult with the First Nation bands who have treaty title to these lands.”

On Monday, a handful of vehicles were parked at the entrance, signs that it’s still a popular destination, even on a blustery April afternoon.

But there were no pranks or gags on April 1, just the realization that the deed is done, and the park’s changing status from operational to non-operational is now official, as evidenced by the massive steel gate that now keeps vehicles out.

Barrie resident Crystal Faye isn’t impressed with the MNR’s plans to change the status of the 193-hectare park, located north of Barrie.

“It’s a shame,” she said Monday, while walking through the park with her seven-year-old daughter and pushing her seven-month-old son in a stroller.

The 107-year-old park, with its trails and wildlife compound, has been a familiar destination for Faye over the years. But with park and trail maintenance coming to an end, comfort stations being closed and the wildlife compound being shut down, it will be a different experience.

According to MNR officials, the park will not be sold and will remain as a protected area.

Visitors can continue to enjoy the park for day-use, free of charge.The 28 animals housed in the compound have been rescued, orphaned, injured or imprinted (having too much contact with humans), so they can’t be released back into the wilderness.

They include a black bear, a timber wolf, two foxes (red and silver), two skunks, a raccoon, two wild turkeys, a turkey vulture, a great horned owl, a peregrine falcon, two mute swans, three Canada geese, four white tailed deer, a bobcat, two lynx and two bald eagles.

The park has always provided a special experience, Faye said.

“It’s a great family place to come, but we’ll certainly miss the animals,” she said, referring to the compound.

“We’ll still be able to use the walking trails but there won’t be any washrooms. Having no washrooms definitely makes it harder for us, especially with the baby. There’s no place to change him.”

Another visitor, who did want her name published, was walking her dog on the trails and said she was disappointed the government decided to save money by changing the park’s status.

“I can understand our (provincial) government has to save money, but too much austerity can’t be good. This (park) is a wonderful resource,” she said, adding she also loved checking out the animal compound, which is unique to provincial parks in Ontario.

MNR spokeswoman Jolanta Kowalski said last week the animals will be transported out of the park when the ministry has made all the necessary arrangements with appropriate facilities.

“The animals will be moved when the ministry has made all the necessary arrangements with the receiving facilities. The welfare of these animals is very important to us,” she said.

“Only facilities and custodians that are in good standing and have authorization from the Ministry of Natural Resources to keep wildlife in captivity will be considered.” The ministry is not disclosing which facilities are being considered to house the animals.

“Once the animals have been moved, the ministry will share the information about where the animals have been relocated,” Kowalski said.