K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park Project

This public park at 1500 Front Road North occupies land formerly owned by Walter Ranta, the owner of Ranta Enterprises. He studied engineering and started as a foreman at Brunner Mond, later owning Ranta Enterprises and becoming well-known in his field. Ranta contributed to many worthy causes and was a member of Thistle Lodge #34 AF-AM and the Amherstburg Lions Club. He passed away in 1982, and the marina park was opened in 1985 as public recreation land.

These public recreation lands currently are underutilized and in need of some attention. This is a perfect opportunity for our residents to come together to determine how this unique waterfront property could best serve our Community.

Below is an aerial map of the Ranta Park Land.

Council passed the following resolutions in regards to K Walter Ranta Memorial Park:

• 20220613-06 That 1. The delegation BE RECEIVED; and, 2. Administration BE DIRECTED to plan for a boat ramp and water access at Ranta Memorial Park inclusive of considerations for Provincial and Federal funding opportunities..
• 20230523-004 That: 1. That the delegation BE RECEIVED. 2.Council DIRECT Administration to proceed with necessary Archeological Assessment, geotechnical and survey work required for re-development of Walter Ranta Memorial Park; 3.Council DIRECT the studies be funded from the Ranta Memorial Park Bequest Reserve to a maximum of $170,000; and, 4.Council DELEGATE authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to award and issue purchase orders and or sign and execute any agreements or contracts as may be required to execute the scope of work for the Archeological Assessment, geotechnical and survey work including any soil sampling, satisfactory in financial content to the Chief Financial Officer, and in technical content to the Director of Parks, Facilities, Recreation and Culture.
• 20240422-001 That: 1. Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with Option 1 as identified in the report of April 22, 2024, entitled, "Information Report for K. Walter Ranta Park Proposed Boat Ramp"; 2.Administration continue to INVESTIGATE alternative funding sources and grant opportunities for K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park; 3.The remaining amount of $139,000 set aside for K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park BE USED towards studies, public consultations and other items to move this project forward
• 20240513-017 That: The Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 25, 2024 BE RECEIVED. 2. That the Economic Development Advisory Committee BE INVOLVED in public consultation activities undertaken for the proposed boat ramp at K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park.
• 20241216 - 016 That: 1. This report BE RECEIVED for information; and, 2. Ask Administration to consult with the AMA Sportsman on fundraising opportunities to support a boat ramp at K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park.

Administration has undertaken the following studies at the park:

• Stage 1 and 2 Archeological Assessment,
• Geotechnical, soil sampling and survey work required for re-development of K. Walter Ranta Memorial Park
• Indigenous Consultation
• Depth testing to determine water depths along the southern portion of the property in the canal and along the western waters edge of the property

Further studies, consultation are required:

• Species at Risk Impact Assessment
• Transport Canada,
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
• Essex Region Conservation Authority;
• and potentially Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry depending on the river bottom ownership and the extension of the Towns water lots.

The above noted agencies are of direct bearing and impact on this project and require 75% complete design drawings to be submitted in order to gain approvals. In addition, approvals expire typically 1 year after they are complete. With this knowledge it would not be fiscally responsible to perform any further investigative work or studies until sufficient funding has been identified to move the project forward. This project is not identified in the current 5 year capital budget. Once funding is confirmed, it will take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to work through the required approvals process prior to commencement of any type of construction. The cost estimate for this project ranges from $1.6 million to $5.1 million (depending on the option chosen by Council), not including site servicing, Ministry studies, permits, maintenance and operational costs.

• Thank you to all who participated in the surveys. Your feedback can be viewed in the 2022 Ranta Park Survey Results Report, located in the Documents section of this project.
• Further surveys were completed through the Parks Master Plan project. Visit the Parks Master Plan project for details. The final plan and master plans will be presented to Council for approval, fall 2025.
• VISIT Talk the Burg regularly for up to date information on the project’s Lifecycle and important dates to mark in your calendars.