McHattie’s plans for an expanded and protected Cootes

Ward 1 councillor and Hamilton mayoral candidate Brian McHattie says if elected he will protect and expand one of Hamilton’s natural treasures, Cootes to Escarpment Park.

McHattie says millions of dollars are needed to buy land and is hoping both the provincial and federal government will make it priority.

“I’ve been working on this project for a decade, and its coming together. The planning, the agencies working together, so that’s good stuff. Were are doing our job, but there is still that illusive lack of involvement from the province of Ontario and the Feds. And to establish a park of this magnitude with this level of significance nationally and provincially, we need their support to acquire all the additional land necessary for the park.”

Currently 4700 acres of the park is protected. McHattie says the park will become the third largest urban park in all of Canada, and could be a popular destination for residents and tourists.