A group of residents made their case to Morden council recently to save a forested section of land in the northwest corner of the city.
A presentation to council Dec. 27 by local representatives of the yet-to-be-named regional climate action group focused on the forested area at the west end of Parkhill Drive.
“We are aware that the current approved development plan includes a 90 foot wide clearing though the center of the forest. We are asking this council to commit to preserving this parcel as one continuous forested space without cutting a road anywhere through it,” said Ken Froese, who was part of the delegation that also included Sandy Plett and Earl Dyck.
They trio also used the opportunity to touch on their group’s overall goals for conversation and action concerning how the local communities are adapting and will need to adapt in the coming years to the changing climate and around efforts to reduce emissions to limit the extent of the changes to the climate.
Their subgroup that focuses on Morden, Winkler, and the RM of Stanley sought to urge council to commit to preserving existing forest and natural areas in the city, given how they will play an increasingly critical role in keeping the community healthy and viable in the future.
They cited that 86 per cent of Morden residents surveyed in 2022 for the Morden parks and urban forestry master plan stated they were in favour saving forests and other naturally wild areas.
They went on to cite a list of gifts provided by the forests:
• Trees take harmful gases out of the atmosphere. Based on the belief that one adult tree absorbs about 25 kg of carbon per year, they estimated the forest at the west end of Parkhill Drive sequesters and absorbs approximately 63,450 kg of carbon per year.
• Trees cool the environment. By the year 2050, the earth’s temperature is expected to rise by 1.5 degrees.
• Healthy forests prevent erosion and increase rainwater absorption.
• Forests are spaces that foster good physical and mental health in the community.
• Urban forests are wildlife sanctuaries. The proposed road would slice a 90 ft. wide slash though the centre, forcing wildlife to the margins.
• Cost saving. Existing trees do much work and preserving and maintaining them saves the city the expense of planting and maintaining replacement trees.
“It’s become clear through the groups research that prioritizing existing forest and treed spaces will put the city of Morden in good company with other progressive cities across Canada,” suggested Plett.
The presentation went on to suggest the lots backing against the forest all the way around an existing forest would fetch a higher value than any of the other proposed properties on roads cut through the forest.
In addition, they suggested that, in order for pedestrians to use both sides of a road through the forest, it would require cross walks and again impede the flow of traffic, which will have already slowed to a 30 km school speed zone.
“We wish to support this council in approaching future development decisions following the details and spirit of the Morden parks and urban forestry master plan,” concluded Froese.
Councillor Doug Frost said it is important to note the land is private property. The city is working with the owner with the goal of saving a portion of the trees.
That thought was echoed by Coun. Sheldon Friesen, who noted the planning process aims to work with developers to mitigate concerns as best as possible, and there are many issues to address as that area further develops including traffic management.
“The city has to look long term too,” added Mayor Nancy Penner. “If traffic becomes more, if the density increases … it would make sense to have a through road for traffic flow.
“I’m really glad that they connected with council … and I appreciate their concern about cutting down trees,” she continued. “There has to be a little bit of a balanced approach to everything. Part of every development that’s built into our development plan at the city is to incorporate green space … and that will happen with every development.”
