Citing a lack of public consultation, a Chatham-Kent councillor is urging his fellow councillors to revisit the sale of a municipally owned park.
A motion tabled by Ward 3 Councillor John Wright is asking that the sale of Clearville Park near Muirkirk be deferred until local residents who use the park are consulted.
Council previously approved the divestment of the Clearville Campground and adjacent parkland in the 2025 Budget Update.
Wright’s motion also calls for municipal administration to review and present park users with a financial perspective of what continued municipal ownership and operation would look like. Administration is also being asked to draft a report with full-cost recovery options and divestment options for the park.
According to municipal staff, it would take around eight months and cost roughly $10,000 to conduct public meetings and draft a report before returning to council.
While no specific impacts are stated, CK staff said there will be other capital projects and initiatives that will be delayed if council moves forward with deferring the sale of the park.
Wright’s motion will be debated during council’s meeting Monday night.
