Fort Erie councillors get a glimpse of Erie Beach Park plan

The future of Erie Beach Park could include a heavy dose of the past.

Town staff presented a concept plan for the lakefront site at the September 14 council-in-committee meeting, billing it as a project that will bring together the area’s natural and cultural history. It was met with approval from most councillors who spoke, though one did have some concerns about the potential costs associated with the plan.

“Many would use the word ‘spiritual’ when they walk through the wooded area,” said Mayor Wayne Redekop about the property, adding he’s happy to see the Town beginning to move forward with the project.

Considered an extremely important area for the local Indigenous community, staff consulted with Indigenous groups early to to come up with a plan for the area. The initial proposal for an Indigenous legacy garden and playground was later scrapped in favour of something that maintained a more natural feeling.

“The approach was reframed to weave Indigenous stories and perspectives throughout the entire site,” said Julia Taucer, a landscape architect for Shift Landscape Architects, who consulted with the Town on the project.

The project covers a roughly 30-acre parcel of land that includes Waverley Beach Park, Erie Beach and surrounding woodlands. Maps provided in Taucer’s presentation show a series of interpretive etchings covering topics like the former Erie Beach Hotel, casino building, and pier.

Historical panels will also outline Lake Erie “as a connector crossing borders for gathering, amusement, refuge and industry.”

Three areas are described as “understory landscapes” and include an area geared towards children’s exploration, another focused on Indigenous stories and gathering space, and a third focused on the Niagara Movement history.

Calling Fort Erie a town on top of a town, Redekop said it’s important to respect and honour that history. Human activity in the area dates back more than 9,000 years.

“It’s important we can capture that here,” he said.

More recently the area also played a key role in the fight for civil rights south of the border, as the Niagara Movement–a precursor to the NAACP–met at the Erie Beach Hotel, where they wrote the founding principles of the fight for civil rights in America.

There are also efforts to protect the natural sensitivity of the area. Various wildlife habitats are planned, as well as information on local species at risk, such as the Fowler’s toad. Invasive species mitigation efforts are also planned.

While she supported the idea in general, Councillor Ann-Marie Noyes did have some concerns over potential costs. The full price tag is still uncertain–more archaeological work is needed and the results of those studies could change things–but staff are currently proposing amendments to the 2027 budget that will see the Town contribute $650,000 to the project.

That’s a nearly $180,000 increase from what is currently in the approved and forecast budget.

“I think it’s a great park and we need to do it, but I’m just wondering if people should be sharpening their pencils a little bit,” she said, adding she has concern about potential further cost increases.

Stage 2 archaeological assessment work is continuing, and the Town still needs to complete a topographic survey and tree inventory.

That work, along with continued feedback and consultation will further refine the design and implementation.

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