Black Oak Heritage Park, Protected natural area in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Black Oak Heritage Park is a protected natural area in Windsor, Ontario that covers about 100 hectares. It holds one of the largest concentrations of black oak trees found in Southwestern Ontario, along with other plant life typical of this region.
The land was known as Yawkey Bush and used by local hikers from 1950 to 1970. The City of Windsor acquired it from the Canadian Salt Company in 1989, and the portion with the most significant stand of trees became Black Oak Heritage Park. Earlier uses included corn fields worked by Indigenous peoples, a rail yard serving the salt company, and off-road vehicle riding.
The land was once corn fields tended by Indigenous peoples before becoming a rail yard heavily used by the Canadian Salt Company. Later it drew motocross riders and off-road trucks and cars. Hikers knew the tract as Yawkey Bush from 1950 to 1970.
The park sits on the boundary between Windsor and LaSalle in Essex County. Entrances on the north and east sides were guarded around the clock by security teams from 2005 until April 2015, reportedly to stop dumping while the woodlot to the north was cleared.
Before becoming a park, the land served as a rail yard heavily used by the Canadian Salt Company, and later as a track for motocross and off-road trucks and cars. The City of Windsor acquired it from the salt company in 1989.
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