Hamilton acquires protected Turtle Ponds lands in Stoney Creek for $40K
Published May 17, 2023 at 3:22 pm
The City of Hamilton says it has completed its purchase of lands located in an “environmentally sensitive area,” locally known as the Turtle Ponds, in Stoney Creek.
The city announced that it bought the 3.95-acre site at 65 Frances Ave., next to Edgelake Park, for $40,000 on May 10. The Patrick J McNally Charitable Foundation donated funds, reimbursing the full cost to the city, according to the city’s press release.
The property contains lands identified as “environmentally sensitive,” including “significant” woodland, wildlife habitat, wetland and watercourse, according to the city. It is within the regulated area of Hamilton Conservation Authority, the environmental management agency.
Council had approved a “confidential motion” for the city to acquire the lands on March 29.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, which then owned the Turtle Ponds, had “declared the property as surplus” in 2019 because it saw it had “limited development potential” so it decided to sell it, according to Norm Schleehahn, the city’s director of economic development.
Ward 10 Coun. Jeff Beattie had wanted to ease residents’ concerns about the future of the property, including potential development, Schleehahn explained, leading to the city’s eventual acquisition of the Turtle Ponds.
“The acquisition ensures the preservation of the woodland denizens and will continue to offer an amenity to all City residents,” said Schleehahn in a statement.