Rockwood Park, at some 2300 acres in size, is one of the largest municipal parks in Canada. It is known for its ponds and wetlands which support great diversity of dragonfly species, as cited in a report commissioned by Friends of Rockwood Park and the Conservation Council during hearings on the Brunswick pipeline. It also hosts several lakes, caves, and a diverse population of flora and fauna.
The City of Saint John had planned to rezone parklands along Sandypoint Road adjacent Harrigan Lake so that it could be sold for large scale residential and commercial development.
Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson worked with the Friends of Rockwood Park to halt this development which would set the course for a process of nickel and diming the park away. After a dedicated campaign where concerned citizens collected over 3000 signatures and made several submissions to city council, enough city councilors were swayed to vote against the rezoning that would set the course for the sale of parklands.
This clearly shows that people who get involved to protect the public interest and environment can be successful.
