'Securing political support for a National Urban Park at the Ontario Reformatory has been challenging, but as this federal election concludes, it is heartening to see candidates rally behind the vision,' a reader writes GuelphToday received the following Letter to the Editor from reader P. Brian Skerrett for Urban Park Guelph: In an election campaign largely dominated by national issues, Urban Park Guelph is encouraged to see growing attention to a vital local opportunity. Securing political support for a National Urban Park at the Ontario Reformatory has been challenging, but as this federal election concludes, it is heartening to see candidates rally behind the vision. The earliest government to endorse the proposal was the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, demonstrating leadership and commitment to this project. In November 2024, Guelph City Council added its formal support. In Guelph, NDP candidate Janice Folk-Dawson and Green Party candidate Anne-Marie Zajdlik have issued letters of endorsement. Folk-Dawson wrote, “I will champion this cause, as it is a rare and special project that will do so many things, for so many people,” while Zajdlik called the site “set to become a jewel of natural and cultural heritage.” In Wellington-Halton Hills North, NDP candidate Andrew Bascombe stands as the sole candidate to endorse the project, stating, “The Guelph Urban Park represents a significant investment in our community’s future, offering a sanctuary for nature lovers and a gathering place for families. It aligns with our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, encouraging biodiversity and improving air quality.” Full endorsements can be read at www.urbanparkguelph.com/endorsements. Beyond conservation, reconciliation, and public access — the core goals outlined by Parks Canada — a National Urban Park in Guelph would save health care dollars. Peterborough’s Quaker Park, built for $6.4 million, saves the health care system $4 million annually according to a University of Waterloo study, paying for itself within two years. And that’s without even factoring in the environmental benefits of an expanded tree canopy or urban cooling. Urban Park Guelph is a non-partisan organization, but we are happy to share the support we’ve received for this significant grassroots initiative, and while our proposal has not yet received universal political support, our door remains open. We invite all representatives to join this vision. Nationally, Liberal leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to the creation of 25 new National Parks and National Urban Parks — recognizing that preserving green spaces is not just good policy, it is an investment in our future. P. Brian Skerrett for Urban Park Guelph