If you pay in advance for next year's stay, we can pay off the park's debt at the same time -- showing the council that there is a demand for this place to stay open for next year! It's like a cash advance to the park. 

// BACKGROUND

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls municipal council wants to shut down the Sioux Narrows Provincial Park (SNPP), because they consider it a burden to taxpayers.

One councillor, Wayne Helliar, stated that "we should not be spending taxpayer dollars to run a business that competes with private enterprise."

We think that this is unsound logic on the part of folks like Mr. Helliar. In the words of the council Mayor, "it's like cutting off your nose to spite your face." 

ABOUT THE PARK

Sioux Narrows Provincial Park is a beloved camping spot for thousands of individuals and families, including many regulars from Winnipeg. 

The park is operated by the municipality, but the land is owned by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources.

The park is frequented by loyal patrons year after year because it offers: 

• a unique, pristine natural setting teeming with wildlife
• excellent management that ensures a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere
• several private campsites, hiking trails, a beach, and boat launch
• close proximity to the town of Sioux Narrows and its businesses

OTHER PARK CLOSURES

As part of a new trend in Ontario, the provincial government closed Caliper Lake Provincial Park last year -- to the continuing disapproval of businesses in nearby Nestor Falls. Sioux Narrows is the only provincial park left in the region, and it's run by the municipal government. 

UNSOUND PLANNING 

We think that this is unsound economic planning on the part of the council; that they're not fully considering the revenue the park tourists contribute to the community when they buy fishing licences, gas, and food at local restaurants. 

Since nearby private campgrounds do not offer the same unique features as SNPP, it's unlikely to think that patrons of the provincial park will flock to these so-called "competitor" campgrounds. Instead, the town will likely lose the traffic and business associated with the park’s tourist population.

New "attractions" such as the sparsely frequented Sportfishing Centre (at a total cost of $726,000.00 to the community) will likely prove to be a bigger year-over-year drain on tax revenue.

// WHAT WE WANT TO DO

First, we want to help pay off the park's modest $50,000.00 debt. The target amount of $53,500.00 includes fees payable to Indiegogo.

If about 500 people donate $100.00 (or 1000 people donate $50.00), we will have paid off the park's debt, removing this as an excuse to close the park! 

Second, we want to help the park restructure and promote so that it can stay open for many years to come.

Third, we will encourage the Province of Ontario to transfer operations of the park to a new non-profit Community Land Trust (CLT) specifically set up to manage the park.  

If the municipality closes the park anyway, a new Community Land Trust will invest the money in an ongoing campaign to keep the park open, or re-open the park after its closure. If this campaign fails, we will undertake to create a private park that retains the characteristics of Sioux Narrows Provincial Park.

// HOW MUCH WE NEED TO DO IT

If we raise anything up to $53,500, we will help pay off the park's operating line of credit.

If we raise $60,000-80,000, we will help the park restructure and promote. We will also ask Ontario's Provincial Government to transfer operations of the park from the municipality to a new non-profit Community Land Trust (CLT) set up to run the park over the long-term. 

If we raise $80,000+ we will set up a foundation dedicated to the ongoing management of Sioux Narrows Provincial Park by a new CLT. 

// WHAT YOU GET

As a Sioux Narrows enthusiast, we will credit you with a stay at the campground with your donation of $50.00 or more. It's like a cash advance to the park. 

Remember, if roughly 500 people donate $100.00 (or 1000 people donate $50.00), we will have paid off the park's debt! 

Your favourite campground has a chance at staying open for many years to come. 

// THE BROADER IMPACT

Setting up a Community Land Trust (CLT) could set a precedent for how public assets can be maintained in the years to come as governments face cash crunches and make poor investments. 

CLTs have been in existence for centuries, and have been experiencing a renaissance over the last fifty years due to the need for new tools to restore, operate, and develop public assets such as parks -- on a financially sustainable basis.

Under a “land first” operation strategy, they have proven successful tools for maintaining and operating public assets that local governments have otherwise had difficulty operating during this period of economic deregulation.

// OTHER WAYS TO HELP

SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN widely to help raise funds for the park

CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER to the municipal council expressing that you don't want this municipality to shut down this world-class park!