Category: ESA

Master Mobility Plan and the Medway ESA

The City of London is developing a new mobility plan which could affect the Medway Environmentally Significant Area (ESA).  You may have gone to one of the open houses for this City project.  You may also have left a comment or sent one to mmp@london.ca or you may have gone to the City web site where the proposed mobility plan is located:  https://getinvolved.london.ca/mobility-master-plan

It has come to the attention of the Executive of the Neighbourhood Association that there is a draft proposal to once again bridge the Medway Creek with a major structure for pedestrians and bikes. Because of Medway Creek’s flood characteristics, the bridge would be like the ones north of Fanshawe Park Road (see below), and not the recently renewed little bridge below the staircase which bridges a tributary. 

For almost 30 years, the large majority of residents of Orchard Park/Sherwood Forest have enjoyed the ESA as is, without additional urbanization.  City Council has agreed, most recently in 2021 when the latest Conservation Master Plan for the ESA was passed.  You can find the Plan at:  https://getinvolved.london.ca/21185/widgets/85752/documents/117643

The Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association has sent a letter to City staff opposing a bridge and encouraging the City to work with us to sign the area for bike riders to more easily cross east to west without new infrastructure in the ESA. 

We recognize that there are new residents since this issue came up the last time.  We encourage everyone to have a say, either through the city’s web site, by e mail to mmp@london.ca or by letting the Neighborhood Association executive know at opsfrp@gmail.com

It is anticipated that sometime this year, City staff will table the Master Mobility Plan and the proposed timeline for projects at a meeting of a committee of City Council.  Projects (road widenings, bus lanes, new BRT or bike lanes, etc.) will be proposed to be built over some time period.  This possible bridge could be 10 years away or it could be sooner.  Council may change the order of projects or funding for specific projects may come from other levels of government to bump up projects.  Hence, the Executive’s concern about this project, one that has been consistently rejected by residents in the neighbourhood and multiple City Councils. 

Volunteers needed for ESA Day – Sept 17-18

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) in cooperation with the City is holding an ESA Day during the annual Doors Open weekend September, Saturday the 17th and Sunday September the 18th.  Please email opsfrp@gmail.com if you are interested and available to help by handing out brochures at the Longbow/Wychwood entrance or leading informative walks for visitors.  Shifts are  Saturday or Sunday 9-11:30 or 11:30-2.  The goal is to raise awareness of ESAs as special places that are to be enjoyed through appropriate uses.  There will also be similar activities during these times at Westminster Ponds ESA (the city visitor centre on Wellington Road) and at Killaly Meadows ESA (at the end of Windemere Road, east of Adelaide).  All free!

Medway Valley Heritage Forest ESA Conservation Master Plan

The Conservation Master Plan for the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) is being presented by staff to the Planning and Environment Committee of City Council at a public participation meeting on Monday, July 26. The item will be heard no earlier than 6 pm. The meeting will be via Zoom with no in person attendance by the public.

Members of the public are required to pre-register to speak at the public participation meeting. You must pre-register no later than 9:00 a.m. the day of the meeting. Pre-register by calling 519-661-2489 ext. 7100 or contact PPMClerks@london.ca Please indicate the meeting (Planning and Environment Committee meeting of July 26th at 6 pm regarding the Medway Valley ESA Conservation Master Plan and item when contacting the Clerk’s Office.

Registered speakers will be given the information to connect to the Zoom meeting and will also be able to present by phone. Directions on how to participate will be provided upon registration. Speakers will be limited to five minutes for their presentation.

If you wish to have a written submission on the committee meeting agenda, it can be sent to PEC@london.ca prior to 9 am on Monday, July 19th.

We believe this plan reflects what the majority of our community has said about the Valley for the past 25 years.

The full Conservation Master Plan can be downloaded from https://getinvolved.london.ca/medway-valley-cmp

Neighborhood News – Mid-August

Be Sure to Lock Up

There have been a few cars rifled through in the neighborhood, and a couple of other crimes were reported to and posted by the police.

Reports via Neighbourhood Watch have been: theft-other/trailer under $5000 on Foxchapel, theft from car under $5000 in the 200 block of Wychwood Park and a similar theft on Rollingwood Circle. All these were at night and reported earlier in August.
Continue reading “Neighborhood News – Mid-August” →