Petrie manager hired
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Charelle Evelyn
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EMC News - The City of Ottawa has the long-term future of Petrie Island in mind with the recent hiring of a consultant to develop a management plan for the island.
The city has hired a consultant to find that balance between Petrie Island's recreation activities and its protected natural features.
According to Kevin Jones, a planner in the city's parks, recreation and culture department, the position was filled just before the start of summer.
The job of the consultant is to design a plan that will provide long-term protection for the various and significant ecological features and functions of Petrie Island. This has to be balanced with the island's recreational use.
"Most people are aware of the beach and recreational features, but there's a whole other part to the island," said Mr. Jones. About 90% of the island is designated as an urban natural feature, which is protected by the city.
"The plan is trying to give us direction on how to balance the two to protect the natural ecology."
While groups like Friends of Petrie Island have been involved in a similar process since their inception, the city is looking to formalize the process, said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette.
"Right now we're flying by the seat of our pants," Coun. Monette said. "It would be nice to have proper procedures."
Protecting the ecological features on Petrie Island was not always a priority.
"It has a long history of industrial use," Mr. Jones said, referring to the sand mining operation that used to take place on the east side of the island and the former landfill site that was closed in the 1960's.
Despite the effects of the human way of life, nature has slowly reclaimed the space.
"The conditions are right for many species to take advantage of it," said Mr. Jones.
In order to ensure that those conditions continue to work in nature's favour, the consultant is currently undertaking a background study on the quality of the natural features of the site and meeting with various stakeholders such as Friends of Petrie Island to work out what potential opportunities there are.
These include education and interpretation projects as well as working out any potential overnight issues.
"We have a chance to get people together and look at what can be done," Mr. Jones said, adding that there should be a public consultation held in September to bring area residents up to speed on the background study findings.
While the natural features are being studied, there is also a new recreational element being added to the beach site.
Petrie Island visitors may have noticed a new concession stand. Westboro restaurateur Moe Atallah is hoping to duplicate the success of his Westboro beach eatery in the east end.
Currently there is only a limited menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, ice cream and cold drinks, but Mr. Atallah said he hopes to have the full operation running before the end of the summer.
"We are so eager and so ready to go," Mr. Atallah said.
When at full capacity with a properly equipped kitchen and storage space, the menu will include salads, kebabs, fish, poutine, pizza and other vegetarian dishes. The establishment will also include a fenced in eating area.
The food stand is currently open everyday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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