Amherstburg, ON – Nature appreciation will be more accessible at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, thanks to a $161,800 Capital stream grant from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund, which is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Significant improvements have been made to the Hawk Tower and the trail system, expanding the life span of these important amenities and improving accessibility for the over 30,000 guests who visit annually. Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex, joined ERCA Chair Tania Jobin, Amherstburg Councillor Michael Prue and members from the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory to celebrate these improvements in advance of the Holiday Beach Festival of Hawks, happening on September 17.
“As a former board member of ERCA, and now as an MPP, I am committed to sustainable living solutions, and opening up Holiday Beach to awesome nature experiences like the ones that will be made by this hawk tower and the trails in this park. Congratulations to ERCA and thank-you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex.
Holiday Beach is a beloved Conservation Area for many recreational activities. It features a beach, picnic areas, walking trails, boardwalks, fishing pond, and the iconic Hawk Tower. It is designated an Important Bird Area of global significance, and identified by Audubon Magazine as one of the top ten raptor watching locations in North America.
The trails, which were significantly damaged during high water periods, have been widened and resurfaced to improve accessibility and guest experience. Safety has been improved at the Hawk Tower, with the installation of graspable hand railings on the stairways. As well, the lower deck has been rebuilt, and weathered sections have been replaced to extend the lifespan of this important park amenity.
“Holiday Beach Conservation Area is enjoyed by thousands of local residents and tourists annually, and these improvements will improve guest safety, accessibility and experience,” said Tania Jobin, ERCA Chair. “We are so grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this generous investment in outdoor spaces. Access to natural outdoor spaces is critical to our collective mental and physical well-being.”
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Digital Image 1 – Tim Byrne, Anthony Leardi, Hugh Kent (President, HBMO), Tania Jobin, Michael Prue celebrate the grand re-opening of the hawk tower at Holiday Beach.
Digital Image 2 – Significant improvements have been made to improve safety and accessibility at the hawk tower.
Digital Image 3 – Trail enhancements have improved accessibility throughout Holiday Beach.
