FERGUS ‒ The Pierpoint Fly Fishing Nature Reserve, a local park formerly owned by one of Centre Wellington's first Black settlers, has officially been designated as a property of cultural heritage value.
Approved during a council meeting Monday evening, a new report said the cultural heritage value of the reserve, also known as Pierpoint Park, lies in its historical and contextual value as it has direct associations with themes determined to be important to the township's development.
Council previously shared its intention to designate the site as a significant cultural heritage landscape under the Ontario Heritage Act in September.
"I think it's important to note this is a really special and unique part of Centre Wellington now," said Coun. Bronwynne Wilton, during the meeting "It's really great to see this designation happening."
A former slave kidnapped from Africa, Richard Pierpoint was one of the earliest non-Indigenous settlers to come to Fergus- granted the east half of Lot 6, Concession 1 in 1822- for his military service as part of the War of 1812.
According to the report, this property was a stopping point for Black individuals and families on their way to set down roots in what was known as the Queen’s Bush to the north, along the Garafraxa Road.
The nature reserve is also considered valuable as a passive park, accommodating fly fishing access and other passive recreational activities along the Grand River.
Designated as a national historic person by Parks Canada in 2020, a plaque was installed in the park honouring Pierpoint in October.
In April, council added the reserve to its cultural heritage landscape (CHL) inventory and the CHL official plan amendment project.
The total cost for the entire project is estimated at approximately $950.
A Pierpoint Community Working Group is also being established to advise the township on the nature reserve's stewardship and commemoration and manage public events.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
