Not too clear on Clearville Park

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Instead of selling off Clearville Park as recommended in the last budget, Chatham-Kent is taking another look at future prospects for the Lake Erie property.

At the Feb. 10 meeting, council passed a motion from East Kent Coun. John Wright directing staff to examine ways the municipality could continue to own the property, including financial recovery (full and partial) and divestment options, with a report to come back to council in the fall. It also directs administration to assess the 40-acre woodlot located at Clearville and to ensure the public and community are informed going forward.

Council also approved an amendment from South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson directing staff to liaise with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority in coming months to explore the possibility of the agency taking over ownership and operation of the land.

Prior to the decision, council heard several deputations, imploring council not to sell the property.

Susanne Spence-Wilkins, owner of Crazy 8 Barn & Garden at Palmyra, told council that the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) – one of Canada’s leading conservation groups – has expressed interest in purchasing the land to conserve it.

According to Spence-Wilkins, a seventh generation C-K resident, who can see the lake from her house, NCC had no idea the land was for sale.

Spence-Wilkins pointed out the property has been let go. Public washrooms at the site have been boarded up, she said, noting there’s only a port-a-john available.

“I think we can all agree that Clearville Park is not being managed with a vision for sustainability and vitality,” she added. “We need to work together to make that happen rather than sell public space that benefits the many.

“It’s a rough-cut gem that could become a shiny jewel for the residents and tourists alike,” Spence-Wilkins told council, noting free access to the lake should be maintained.

In his deputation, Jim Griffin of the Chatham-Kent Heritage Network, expounded on the park’s historical significance, reaching back to the War of 1812. He said the network is marking Clearville with a historical plaque later this year, noting the site was once a bustling community dating back to the early 1800s.

“We hope that Clearville Park doesn’t become another casualty of development,” Griffin told council.

Wright said he was grateful for the way the public has stepped up to defend Clearville.

“They really hit it really good on how important this park is to the community,” the councillor said.

Clearville Park Includes a park area, about 120 trailers (some permanent, some seasonal) and about 40 acres of woods. It’s located about a kilometre from the Clear Creek Forest Provincial Park, which is under the management of Rondeau Provincial Park.

Clear Creek was purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada in order to protect rare species found in the Carolinian forest habitat that’s part of Clearville.

Wright explained that four years ago the municipality engaged in talks with the LTVCA and held community meetings, but the effort was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We lost our contact at that point,” he said. “At this time, I’d like to see what the Lower Thames says before we move forward. It is an important, valuable piece of property.”

In speaking to the motion, West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan pointed out that the estimates of capital costs in the next 10 years are more than $4 million and that was a concern during budget deliberations.

“There’s a hundred folks camping at Clearville,” Harrigan said. “That’s a lot of money to put on the backs of people who are seasonal there.”

However, the councillor said that because there is public access to the lake, the tax burden should be shared, adding that pausing the process to investigate is a “very sage” decision to make.

Mayor Darrin Caniff agreed.

“I’m confident we’ll be able to find a win-win-win situation moving forward,” Canniff said.

In speaking to the fact that the community was unaware Clearville was up for divestment, CAO Michael Duben said the decision was made during budget deliberations, noting that any further decisions about the park had to come to council first, before going to the public.