'No Trespassing' signs now up at Lemay Forest
![Lemay Forest The Lemay Forest is shown in a file image from 2023.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/12/2/lemay-forest-1-6671014-1710849843708.png)
Advocates are speaking out after public access to a St. Norbert forest officially ended Friday.
No trespassing signs accompany the new fencing being erected around the Lemay Forest this weekend. People can no longer walk in the forest as the property's owner plans to replace the verdant 22-acre landscape with affordable and assisted housing.
The closure has sparked a city-wide debate, with the City of Winnipeg now contemplating purchasing the land to rescue the beloved forest from being cut down. A motion to begin negotiations has been deferred until January so city council can gather more information.
The community is lamenting the potential loss of a beloved public space.
"It has devastating effects," said Jaxon Kowaluk with the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest. "It'll rob the community of a cherished public space, disrupt public local wildlife habitats, and it can lead to ecological imbalance."
Kowaluk says the coalition has gathered more than 3,000 signatures on a Change.org petition. He encourages all Winnipeggers to reach out to the mayor and city council about the issue.
"The community will continue to be the eyes of the forest," he said. "Even though we cannot access it, we're going to always be watching it."
Professional planner John Wintrup, who represents the property owner, says it's hosting an open house in January to show off its plans for the site.
Wintrup previously told CTV News that his client is open to a sale or land swap, but would like to see the city make a decision soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.