CEA in the News

Citizens Environment Alliance
628 Monmouth Rd., Windsor, Ontario, Canada N8Y 3L1

CEA in the News

City committee discusses how to stop cycling in protected Windsor natural area

Windsor's Black Oak Heritage Park is being damaged by mountain bikers, according to city report

By Dalson Chen
CBC News · Published April 21, 2026

Recreation and conservation efforts can co-exist at Black Oak Heritage Park, say off-road cycling enthusiasts — despite the concerns of the City of Windsor that mountain bikers are causing damage.

"I want this place to thrive for years and years to come more than anyone," insists James Braakman, founder of the Windsor Essex Bike Community (WEBC).

"We are all about ecological integrity and making this place last forever... But we also think that it's possible to do that with (cyclists) using the trails."

"We're really looking to create a positive partnership with the city, with environmentalists and other stakeholders."

Braakman's comments come following last week's meeting of the city's environment and climate change advisory committee, where members discussed a report on the impact of cyclists on Black Oak Heritage Park.

The committee intends to ask Windsor city council to consider stronger measures to protect the park, and the city's legal department to explain the enforcement tools available.

James Chacko, the city's executive director of parks and facilities, told the committee the park is "not suited for active cycling."

"Our position has always been: They (cyclists) are not supposed to be in there. It's a violation of the bylaws."

Owned by the municipality, Black Oak Heritage Park is one of the protected natural areas of the Ojibway Prairie Complex.

The park's population of black oak trees and their accompanying savanna ecosystem make it among the most endangered habitats in Canada, according to conservationists.

Along with being the preferred nesting ground for a variety of birds, the park's native plants are considered extremely rare.

The park is among the properties that would be included in the proposed Ojibway National Urban Park.

Chacko said the city has had generally positive discussions with the Windsor Essex Bike Community, but it's been "a struggle" to get bikers to stop riding in that area.

"There continue to be members that really, really want to use Black Oak."

According to the city, there are only two kilometres of authorized trails at the park, and cyclists have added approximately 12 kilometres of unauthorized trails.

Frank Butler, president of the Citizens Environment Alliance, told the committee that he's seen indications axes, rakes and other tools have been used to enhance the trails for biking.

But Braakman says the trails at the park were created decades ago, prior to the formation of the WEBC, and the only work the group has done on them is to remove litter.

"We don't have to build any trails. The trails are ready and perfect how they are. There is no habitat destruction. There is nothing that we're really doing to endanger species," he said.

"It was actually the cyclists that really cleaned this place up. There was a lot of garbage here, a lot of dumping."

Braakman notes that cyclists aren't the only ones who regularly enjoy Black Oak Heritage Park: "Walkers, hikers, birders — It's thousands of people that use these trails and have a close connection to this park."

Braakman points out that the local bike group has a history of cooperating with municipalities: The WEBC partnered with the Town of Amherstburg to create and maintain an off-road bike skills park at the Libro Credit Union Centre.

The group raised more than $250,000 to fund the project, and entered into a land stewardship agreement with the town. "The community impacts, for youth, tourism, local businesses, tourism, have been frankly incredible," Braakman says. "That can happen for Windsor here."

Jordan Colautti, a member of the WEBC's board of directors, says he rides the trails of Black Oak Heritage Park every week. He got into off-road cycling during the pandemic, and it has been a great benefit to his life.

"I started during COVID, which was a way to get outside and get fresh air," Colautti says. "And it led me to meet so many other riders and create friendships... It's a great way to stay in shape, for sure. But it's just so much fun."

Derek Coronado, coordinator of the Citizens Environment Alliance, says the environment should always come first.

"Conservation of that park comes first, recreation comes second," the told CBC News.

"Some parks are designated as naturalized, and that means that they are primarily for conservation purposes."

Coronado says there are many other areas across Windsor-Essex where cyclists are welcome. But riding at Black Oak Heritage Park is unsanctioned.

"Not just from our perspective," Coronado emphasizes. "It is a violation of the parks bylaw that those trails exist and are being used. It's a violation of the parks management plan."