Windsor's mayor has signaled that significant developments regarding the city's proposed national urban park are imminent, following the sale of a substantial vacant property adjacent to Ojibway Park.
Land Sale Details
According to a notice from commercial real estate firm CBRE, a 34.75-acre parcel of land on Matchett Road has been purchased. The firm described it as the largest commercial land transfer in the area so far this year. The property, listed for $11.3 million, was one of four lots surrounding the former Windsor Raceway that were on the market.
Mayor's Statement
Mayor Drew Dilkens, who recently met with Parks Canada's CEO, was unavailable for an interview but provided a statement via email. He mentioned that he, Andrew Campbell, and Parks Canada team members discussed key steps to solidify progress on the national urban park. "The City of Windsor is proud to be a key partner at the table as Parks Canada works to advance its collaboration with partners and community stakeholders," Dilkens said. "Working together to finalize the plans on next steps, we all remain committed to sharing more information and details as they become available. And, believe me, exciting and detailed updates are coming soon!"
Advocates' Concerns
Environmental advocates and municipal politicians have long urged the federal government to acquire and include this land in the future Ojibway National Urban Park, a project that has been in development for years. The sale of this parcel has raised concerns about losing key land to private development.
Other Properties
Brook Handysides, senior vice-president with CBRE, declined to share further details on the transaction. Earlier this year, a roughly 1.4-acre lot on Marigold Drive sold for $750,000. Two additional lots remain on the market: approximately 2.2 acres at the corner of Ojibway Parkway and Sprucewood Avenue, listed for $1.9 million, and about five acres on Sprucewood, listed for $3 million. Both are zoned for retail and commercial development.
Council's Agreement
In March, during a closed-door meeting, city council unanimously voted to move forward with an agreement in principle with Parks Canada. At that time, Dilkens expressed hope that Parks Canada would finalize similar agreements with other key landowners, including Ontario's Ministry of Transportation and the Essex Region Conservation Authority. The agreement came after local nature lovers urged Parks Canada to use some of the $36.1 million in federal funds earmarked for Windsor's national urban park to acquire available lands before they were lost to private development.
Parks Canada has acknowledged the Star's request for comment but has not yet responded to questions about the recent land sale.
