Guelph expected to purchase 126 acres of land from GRCA in coming months
Anticpated Niska Road land sale valued at $756,960
GUELPH – The City of Guelph and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) are fleshing out details on the transfer of 126 acres of land along Niska Road.
On Jan. 23, the GRCA board approved seeking an agreement for Guelph to purchase the land for $756,960.
The city intends to use its parkland reserve to pay for it, according to a news release. The reserve is funded by cash-in-lieu contributions from new developments unable to accomodate adequate parkland.
The city wants the GRCA to commit some money from the sale to trail development.
The GRCA board approved $350,000 for trail construction and restoration work.
That demonstrates resolve to honour the commitments in the Niska Landholdings Management Plan, and conserving the environmental features on the land, the release stated.
The anticipated purchase in the coming months includes:
- 101 acres north of Niska Road, including the site of the former Frank Kortright Waterfowl Management Area, extending city-owned land from Crane Park down to Niska Road; and
- almost 25 acres of Natural Heritage System south of Niska Road.
The purchase does not include the agricultural field zoned for residential development south of Niska Road.
A joint working group involving members of the public will be formed to guide implementation of recreational trails and restoration projects.
“As our community grows, we need to increase the amount of park space available so there’s room for everyone to enjoy the outdoors and reap the many benefits of spending time outside and in nature,” city parks manager Gene Matthews said in the release.
“The Niska lands are a great space because they bring Natural Heritage System land, trail network expansion and space for a future community park into our parkland system. That’s great news for the community, no matter how you like to enjoy the outdoors.”