Pillar 01
York Lands, heritage, living neighbourhoods.
Why it matters
The Yorklands are one of the most unique natural spaces in our city. The historical significance of the former reformatory and the ecological significance of the surrounding lands are worth protecting. There have been calls to develop portions of this property for housing or commercial uses. Evan disagrees.
As Guelph grows, we have a responsibility to protect the green spaces that make our city special. Once natural spaces are lost to development, they are rarely recovered. Future generations deserve the opportunity to enjoy the Yorklands just as we do today.
| Area | Impact | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Land transfer | Province of Ontario → City of Guelph | Year 1–2 |
| Access | Open the existing paved driveway and parking to the public | Year 1 |
| Ecological | Protect wetlands, mature forest, and natural corridors | Ongoing |
| Community | Trails, gathering spaces, stewardship programming | Year 2–4 |
| Protection | Formal park status preventing future development | Year 2 |
“Once natural spaces are lost to development, they are rarely recovered. Future generations deserve the opportunity to enjoy the Yorklands just as we do today.”
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