Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

Whereas the Town of Cobourg’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Action #7 under the Subsection on Places, states: “…the natural environment of the West Harbour will be safeguarded and p rotected;” And, the Staff Report from the Director of Community Services, submitted to Council at the March 9, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting identified the West Headland as a Landmark Park (under the name Marina Park); And, according to the Parks Master Plan a Landmark Park “should enhance tourism and economic development” and “accommodate increased commercial use” (PMP 2013, p. 33) with a primary function as support for “tourism, festivals and large gatherings” (PMP 2013 p. 27); And, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee believes this categorization does not provide adequate protection for the natural environment of the West Harbour and an important waterfront ecosystem and public space for passive recreation; Therefore , the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommends that Council strengthen the environmental protection of the West Headland by designating it as a Nature Park under Schedule A of the Parks Use By-Law, and defined as “parks that are predominantly natural in character and exhibit landscape/environmental characteristics common to Cobourg or the surrounding area. The focus of these parks is conservation, nature appreciation, and interpretation. They provide a nature-based experience and environmentally compatible passive recreation activities.” Further , the Parks and R