Instead of 6 parcels of land, Ontario is creating an urban park.

The rural town of Uxbridge, Ont., is on the brink of a major transformation that will make it a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. For years, six parcels of land spanning approximately 1,300 acres have been off-limits to the public, hidden behind no-trespassing signs. However, thanks to the persistent efforts of the local mayor and community, these lands are now set to become Ontario’s newest provincial park.

The journey to this point has been a long one, with the mayor revealing that the process began in the early 2000s with a failed development project. After a land swap in 2007, the parcels ended up in the hands of Infrastructure Ontario, where they have remained until now. In September 2021, Infrastructure Ontario decided to sell the land, prompting the Township of Uxbridge to make a bid for it.

The bid, which offered a nominal fee for the valuable land, outlined plans to create a sprawling new municipal park that would benefit the town economically and provide recreational opportunities for residents. The proposal caught the attention of the Ford government, which decided to keep the land and convert it into Ontario’s first urban provincial park.

While the final decision is still pending, the government is moving full steam ahead with consultations and planning. Mayor Barton is optimistic about the potential impact of the park, believing it will attract tourists and boost local businesses. With plans to gradually develop the park and release a management plan in 2025, Uxbridge is on the cusp of a new era as a haven for outdoor lovers and a thriving community.