Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers History
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| Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers' Logo |
The organization
was formed over 30 years ago, though the history of the area dates to 1955 when
developer Bill Davies began a 500 home development which promotional material
declared “carved out a huge apple orchard” from farmland in the area. This would become Orchard Park. Five years later, the first phase of the
Sherwood Forest neighbourhood began to be developed.
As the
neighbourhoods grew, the Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers group was
formed to promote an organized neighbourhood network to responds to
developments and changes, and to present a strong unified voice with local
government when representing the interests of the neighbourhood. Issues tackled by the group over the years
include supporting and maintaining existing facilities such as pools, libraries
and areas, as well as raising resident concerns regarding traffic, development,
zoning restrictions, and the environment – particularly related to protection
of the Medway Valley.
Programming and Initiatives
In addition to
keeping the community informed of local concerns, and representing the
community as members of the Urban League of London, the Orchard Park Sherwood
Forest Ratepayers also host local events.
They hold an Annual General Meeting in May of each year, and last year
held their first community BBQ and get together. The group also helps share information about
local events held by other local groups such as the Medway Seniors.
According to association
President Sandy Levin, the most notable achievement of the group occurred
during the early 90’s when the association raised $18,000 which was matched by
the Ivey Foundation to allow the city to build a staircase and creek crossing
in the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area (ESA). This project reduced erosion and damage to
the natural features of the valley and their ecological functions.
The group’s work
supporting environmental protection of the Medway Valley continues to this
day. In addition to helping residents
connect with activities in the ESA, they are monitoring the development of the
City’s Conservation Master Plan for the southern portion of the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally
Significant Area (ESA). This study was
initiated by the City in 2013 and Phase 2 of the study will begin in 2015. Members
of the association have also adopted a section of the ESA under the City’s “Adopt an ESA” program.
More recently, the
association has worked successfully with the City to have the City agree to
purchase the former Sherwood Forest School following the Thames Valley District
School Board’s decision to close it.
After a very involved public engagement process with the organization
and residents of the area, the City purchased the site and rezoned it for use a
a public park and an infill housing development.
Getting Involved
The Orchard Park
Sherwood Forest Ratepayers association serves the residents of the Orchard Park
and the Sherwood Forest areas of London.
This includes the area between Wonderland Road, Sarnia Road,
Gainsborough Road, and the University of Western Ontario and Medway Valley.
Any residents of
the Orchard Park or Sherwood Forest neighbourhoods who are interested in learning
more about the association can visit orchardparksherwoodforestratepayers.ca/
or contact association President Sandy Levin at s.levin@sympatico.ca.
This article is part of a series on neighbourhood associations in London, Ontario.
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