The city has purchased about 3.5 acres of land for $1.5 million, which will preserve the future of Ker Park as a fully functional recreational area.

The acquisition was spearheaded by Coun. Vic Pietrangelo, and approved by city council during a recent closed-door meeting.

In camera provisions allow council to go behind closed doors to deal with several sensitive matters, including land acquisition.

Pietrangelo said the city had been leasing, for $1, the back portion of the property on Sinnicks Avenue from an organization.

He said the organization went before the city’s Committee of Adjustment and applied to sever 3.5 acres, which would eventually be sold to a developer to build high-density residential housing.

Pietrangelo, who chairs the committee, said he was concerned because the portion of land that was going to be severed and purchased took into play two of the four soccer fields at Ker Park.

On Pietrangelo’s request, the committee deferred the application.

Later that evening, the councillor emailed his colleagues to let them know about the application, and “what could happen if the severance goes through and the land ends up getting sold to a developer.”

Pietrangelo notified his colleagues that at the next council meeting he would ask for their support in the city pursuing the land, which he followed through on.

“Council was very supportive of my idea to sit down with (the organization), and purchase the land ourselves, so that’s what we did,” he said.

Pietrangelo said had the committee agreed to the severance, the issue would have gone before council for a rezoning application because right now the land is zoned open space.

He said that’s when the public would have learned more about the proposed development.

Pietrangelo said because of the city’s intervention, Ker Park will “continue to be a mainstay” for local soccer.

“The neighbours have a comfort level now knowing that behind their houses is a park, whereas before the city didn’t own it. (Now), there’s no change proposed (for the park) – no development behind them, there’s not going to be a loss of green space.”

Pietrangelo said he is a big believer in preserving parkland, adding parks enhance the “quality of life” for residents.

Mayor Jim Diodati said it was a “great” decision for the city to invest in Ker Park, and credited Pietrangelo for “leading the charge” on the issue.

“Ker Park is a beautiful park with lots of amenities. It serves a big portion of the population and it has traditionally for a long time,” said Diodati.

He said now, instead of having to buy more land to replace what the city would be losing had development occurred, the municipality will improve the park area, including better access.

“One of the challenges with Ker Park was the access to the soccer pitches off of Sinnicks – access and parking,” said Diodati.

“The challenge is you have to park way in the north end, up by the tennis courts, or way in the northeast corner, out by Swayze (Drive), so it’s so far to walk when you’re playing soccer on some of the fields. Now, we’re going to have much closer access and we’re going to have expanded field space. It’s going to make Ker Park better, and in the long run it’s going to serve the residents better.” 

Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com
905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri