By Trevor Greenway
ACRE wants to build a “central park” in Old Chelsea.
But to do so, it needs to raise nearly $1 million by September so it can purchase a servitude on 71 acres of greenspace behind the St. Stephen’s Parish – and they’re targeting deep-pocket donors to make it happen.
“We’re not asking for 100 bucks,” said ACRE (Action Chelsea for the Respect of the Environment) President Stephen Woodley. “We’re asking for $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 bucks if we’re gonna be successful. Because you only have to do the math: You can’t get to a million with a $100 donation.”
Woodley said that his organization, which has been purchasing land across the Hills to protect in perpetuity, has been working with the church for several years on the project, but he was clear that it wasn’t ACRE who approached the church – rather the other way around.
“I think that the community should realize that this is really a congregation-led effort,” noted Woodley. “They’re the ones who want to put it in conservation. They can sell it for development. It’s zoned residential. They [could] get 70 houses in there before you can say ‘Jack Robinson,’ but they don’t want to, so we’re partnering with them. And really, it’s a win-win situation for us and them.”
According to ACRE, the St. Stephen’s Forest is an “intact hardwood forest” that is home to a number of species at risk, rich flora and boasts a number of hiking trails throughout. Woodley told the Low Down that the trails would be maintained and the land would eventually connect to the Larrimac ecological corridor.
ACRE and the St. Stephen’s Parish have agreed on a $1.5 million price tag for the land, and ACRE has already raised $900,000 to date. However ACRE also has to raise a stewardship fund and pay legal fees for the sale. They have secured close to $1 million in grants and said they are hoping another $341,000 grant comes in. If it doesn’t, the organization will need just over a million dollars by September. If the grant is successful, ACRE’s fundraising goal will be around $662,000.
“We see this as the central park for Chelsea,” said Woodley. “You see how fast Chelsea is developing? It’s a bit daunting how fast the place is developing. But ACRE is not an anti-development organization. I will repeat: We are for smart development. And smart development means you keep appropriate green space to make sure that Chelsea is an environmentally friendly community.”
Woodley said ACRE has “sector captains” who will be canvassing the Hills for donations to help purchase the land.
Donate to ACRE’s St. Stephen’s Forest project at acre@videotron.ca or visit https://acrechelsea.qc.ca.