The Grand Bend and area community celebrated an extraordinary gift on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Peter Warner and his late wife Esther donated 55 acres in Grand Bend to the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy. Named the Warner Preserve, this legacy protects a significant natural area comprised of mature Carolinian forest, meadows, and wetlands.
The property, originally named Merrywood Farm, was purchased by Peter and Esther Warner in 1988 from two of Grand Bend’s historic figures, Eric and Ella McIlroy. The McIlroys owned and operated the famous Lakeview Casino during the days of the big band era, and raised and trained racehorses.
Over the years Peter and Esther worked hard to improve the natural features of the property, and planted more than 10,000 native trees.
“We just fell in love with the place,” says Peter. “We felt so lucky to live in this beautiful oasis, right in the heart of Grand Bend.”
Although this property was slated by the Municipality of Lambton Shores for future residential development, Peter and Esther had different ideas. Their vision was that the property be protected as a refuge for wildlife and nature, and used for outdoor nature education for children and adults.
To help develop their vision, Peter and Esther approached the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy. The mission of the Land Trust is to hold and conserve natural areas and protect them for future generations.
“We live in a critical time when precious natural areas are under pressure,” says Land Trust Chair Max Morden. “We’re so happy that we’ve been able to help Peter and Esther realize their dream.”
Peter is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Grand Bend, which became an enthusiastic community partner, providing seed money to get the project off the ground. At Autumn Indulgence, the Club’s gala fundraiser, a further $55,000 was raised from the community to create an arboretum. The newly planted arboretum now includes more than 70 species of native trees, including some Carolinian species not generally seen this far north. Says Grand Bend Rotary Club President Kerry Teskey, “The Warner Preserve is a perfect opportunity to foster in people – both young and old – a love and appreciation of nature. It’s a priceless gift.”
In addition to the Rotary Club of Grand Bend, The Lawson Foundation provided essential seed money. Thanks also go to the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, which funded the creation of 1,000 metres of accessible trails on the property.
The Sunset Community Foundation sponsored this launch.
As a refuge and protected area, the Warner Preserve will be used for educational activities and events, but will be open to the public by invitation only.
In photo below, donor Peter Warner (at far right) helps to plant a ceremonial tree on the occasion of the Warner Preserve launch ceremony on June 15, 2024.
Ceremony launches opening of new pedestrian walkway at Bayfield River Flats Natural Area
Several partners attend June 7, 2024 launch in Bayfield to open pedestrian walkway, linking community with nature
A new pedestrian walkway now links the village of Bayfield with the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area. People no longer have to drive from town to reach the nature area and they no longer have to walk across Highway 21 to get there.
Generous community donors and funding partners have raised more than $70,000 to build the new walkway. Construction is complete and the path to nature is now open.
A number of community partners attended an opening ceremony, on Friday, June 7, 2024, to launch the newly constructed path, underneath the highway bridge, which links the community with nature. Local musicians played violins prior to the afternoon event. The ceremony began with acknowledgement of indigenous peoples of the area.
The Bayfield River Flats Natural Area is owned and permanently preserved by Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC) and maintained by volunteers of Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA).
Roger Lewington is Past Chair of the Land Trust and a leader of the Pedestrian Walkway fundraising campaign committee of BRVTA. He provided thanks, at the launch ceremony, to the many community partners, and hundreds of volunteers and donors, who made the pedestrian walkway possible.
“It’s pretty amazing …” what community volunteers and donors have accomplished, he said. He extended “ … a special thanks to our Bayfield River Flats committee and fundraising team …”
Max Morden, Chair of the Land Trust, thanked BRVTA and their fundraising team for the work they put into the walkway project. “This is an amazing community, you’re an amazing group,” he said.
“Thank you to the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association for the incredible work they’ve done, for their vision in bringing this together, for their passion and perseverance to bring this to fruition,” he said. “They couldn’t have done it without the support of the community, the volunteers and donors who’ve supported this. Thanks to you all for the way you’ve supported this project.” He called the walkway project “ … a tremendous example of what can be done when a community comes together and forms partnerships and does something really special for nature.”
The HTLTC Chair thanked the Municipality of Bluewater for their support. The municipality, he said, “ … really got behind this project in a big way to ensure its success.” He also thanked the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) “ … who really came through and went the extra mile to make sure this … got completed.”
Dawson Hallahan, student intern with the office of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, attended the ceremony on her behalf.
“I would like to thank you all for having me here today to represent MPP Thompson,” he said. The MPP is Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs. “Seeing something like this in her riding and in a rural community is something she loves to see,” Hallahan said. “It’s truly a special moment to appreciate the hard work and the collaboration that went into making this project a reality,” he said.
In remarks from the MPP, shared with the crowd, the attendees heard that “ … it is an absolute pleasure to celebrate the completion of the under-bridge pedestrian path to the Bayfield River Flats … this new pathway is a significant achievement, providing a safe and convenient route for our villagers to enjoy the stunning parkland without having to navigate the busy highway..”
MPP Lisa Thompson’s remarks continued that: “The Bayfield River Flats is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together. The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association and their incredible team of volunteers, and their trail blazers led by Peter Jeffers, have transformed this area into a true community treasure. Their hard work and dedication have created beautiful new pathways and a butterfly meadow that will be enjoyed by all. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each volunteer for their tireless efforts. Your commitment has made the Bayfield River Flats safer and more accessible, enriching our community in countless ways. Thank you again to everyone involved. Together we are building a stronger and more connected community.”
The Mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater, Paul Klopp, extended thanks to MPP Thompson and to MTO for their roles in the project. He also thanked B. M. Ross and Associates Ltd. for their work and support of the project. Despite budgetary pressures, Mayor Klopp said the municipal council wanted to support the walkway project.
“We really felt this was the right thing to do and the right time and it’s going to be good for the community,” he said. The community support for the walkway “… shows the spirit of the area here,” he said. “To all of you who have taken the time to be here today, it shows what it is all about … you make Bluewater proud.”
Kelly Vader is BRVTA President.
“Anyone who has made the dash across the highway knows this will be a really great addition to the trail system in Bayfield,” she said. “Hopefully people who come to Bayfield to see the downtown will see there’s an easy way to get to the other parts of Bayfield that they maybe don’t know exist, the beautiful river and these beautiful natural areas, so I think this is a really great opportunity.”
She thanked the entire BRVTA fundraising team. “Without their vision and tireless work this would not happen,” she said. “They’re the reason we’re all here and that this has gone so well … I just want to thank them.”
The launch ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting to officially open the walkway.
NEW PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY OPENED AT BAYFIELD RIVER FLATS NATURAL AREA – A number of community partners attended a June 7 launch ceremony to mark the opening of a new pedestrian walkway at the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, thanks to a successful community fundraising campaign. Shown cutting the ribbon, for the new pedestrian walkway linking the village of Bayfield with the Bayfield River Flats Natural Area, are (front row, from left to right), Dave Gillians, of Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA); Paul Klopp, Mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater; Kelly Vader, BRVTA President; Max Morden, Chair of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC); and Helen Varekamp, of BRVTA. Behind them are some of the partners, in the pedestrian walkway project, who attended the opening ceremony launch of the walkway.
