Niagara Falls, ON – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Carl Scott, as its new Chief of Police for The Niagara Parks Police Service (NPPS). Mr. Scott comes to the Commission having provided over 35-years of dedicated and distinguished policing and community service to the residents of the Niagara region and its visitors.

“On behalf of The Niagara Parks Commission, I would like to welcome Mr. Scott to The Niagara Parks Police Service,” stated NPC Chair Janice Thomson. “We value the contributions made by all members of our police service and the important efforts they make toward ensuring the safety of our visitors and the protection of our significant environmental and historic assets. We look forward to Mr. Scott’s stewardship of our unique Police Service and the important role it has to play in our tourism community.”

Carl Scott’s early interest in policing was realized when he was accepted as a member of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) in 1977. Over the course of the next three decades, Mr. Scott held a succession of supervisory posts and ranks in recognition of his strong leadership skills and managerial experience.

Prior to his retirement from the Niagara Regional Police Service on May 1, 2013, Mr. Scott was a member of the NRPS’ Executive where he held the rank of Acting Deputy Chief of Operations, which included responsibility and oversight of District Patrol and Detective Services, and approximately 30 specialty support units within the NRPS Emergency and Investigative Support division. He is a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and was also a member of the OACP Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Active in his community, both professionally and in his private life, Mr. Scott has devoted over 24 years to volunteerism and is a member of Lions International (Chippawa) where he has served as President, Board of Directors and as the local organization’s Diabetes, Sight and Hearing Committee Chair. Additionally, he is a United Way supporter. Mr. Scott is married and has two children and four grandchildren.

Carl Scott will assume his official duties as Chief of Police, reporting to John Lohuis, General Manager of NPC commencing June 17, 2013.  Mr. Scott replaces Douglas Kane, who retired after having served as NPPS Chief, for the past five years. According to Mr. Scott, “I am extremely proud to have been chosen to lead the Niagara Parks Police, which has such a long history of community service and dedication to the safety of the millions of visitors who come to enjoy the beauty of Niagara Parks”.

Established in 1887, the Niagara Parks Police Service is one of this Province’s oldest police services. The NPPS derive their policing powers from Section 53 of The Police Services Act and by virtue of an agreement it has with the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s Police Services Board.

Today the NPPS is comprised of 25 full-time and 27 seasonal officers /staff, whose duty it is to patrol the over 1,300 hectares of parkland and 56 kilometres of scenic parkway The Niagara Parks Commission is responsible for. With its headquarters centrally located in Queen Victoria Park, within sight and sound of the thundering Canadian Horseshoe and American Falls, the NPPS serves and protects millions of visitors who come to Niagara Parks each year.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Tony Baldinelli
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
tbaldinelli@niagaraparks.com
(905) 356-2241 ext. 220

Based on information received today and upon staff’s advice at a Commission meeting held earlier this morning, the Commission has deferred today’s public presentation on the Zip Line project.  The procurement process for the Zip Line project is still underway and a future public meeting will be scheduled.

Niagara Falls, ON – Proposed plans for a potential zip line attraction are to be reviewed at a special open meeting of The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) on Friday May 24, at NPC’s Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex.

Special Open Commission Meeting
Friday, May 24
1:00 p.m.
Legends on the Niagara Golf Complex – Clubhouse
9561 Niagara Parkway
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Following two Public Information Centres held on the concept last fall, a request for qualifications and formal request for proposals was issued by NPC. An NPC evaluation team has completed its preliminary review of the submissions received, under the guidance of a Fairness Commissioner. The team has identified a preferred proponent to provide a presentation, as the next step in the evaluation process.

The presentation will be delivered by the preferred proponent identified through a fair, open and transparent procurement process. Members of the public are invited to attend the session and will be provided an opportunity to submit comments following the presentation.

Additionally, there will be a two-week period between May 24 and June 7, where members of the public will be able to provide comments on the proposed plans.

The presentation will be made available on the Niagara Parks Corporate Website at: www.niagaraparks.com/zipline, for reference. On-line comments from the public may be sent to the same address (www.niagaraparks.com/zipline), or mailed to:

Zip Line Comments
The Niagara Parks Commission, Communications Department
P.O. Box 150, 7400 Portage Road
Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6T2

About The Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Parks is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

For more information, visit www.niagaraparks.com/zipline or contact:
Tony Baldinelli, Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
tbaldinelli@niagaraparks.com
(905) 356-2241 ext. 220

The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) will host three public meetings in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Erie.

During each of these sessions, Chair Janice Thomson and General Manager, John Lohuis will provide an overview of the upcoming activities planned for 2013, and highlight the achievements of the past year.

All sessions will take place from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Monday, May 13
Legends on the Niagara
9561 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls

Tuesday, May 14
Old Fort Erie Welcome Centre
350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie

Wednesday, May 15
Queenston Chapel, Laura Secord Homestead
29 Queenston Street, Queenston

PRESCRIBED BURNS SCHEDULED ALONG
THE NIAGARA PARKWAY

Niagara Falls, ON – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) has made plans to once again conduct seven prescribed burns (PBs) on lands within its jurisdiction. Dates have been tentatively scheduled, and PBs could begin as early as Monday, April 1 and continue until mid-May. All PBs are weather dependent and NPC will be monitoring an on-site weather station and tracking Environment Canada weather forecasts. The decision to proceed with the PBs is made on an hourly basis, as weather and wind conditions can change quickly.

The following Prescribed Burns have been planned:

WHEN:  
Beginning on Monday, April 1 to mid-May (weather permitting)

TIMES:  
Pending weather and atmospheric conditions, the burns will begin late morning, and are expected to be completed and fully extinguished by late afternoon.

WHERE: 
1. Paradise Grove Located at the corner of John St. and Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake;
2. Chinquapin Oak Savannah Located on the Niagara Parkway, northeast of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens;
3. Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens & School of Horticulture Located on the west side of the Niagara Parkway (primary training site for NPC’s School of Horticulture students);
4. Niagara Glen Slope Located north of the Niagara Glen Nature Centre along the Niagara River Recreational Trail;
5. Whirlpool Slope Located across from the Whirlpool Golf Course parking lot and down toward the Niagara River Recreation Trail;
6. Upper Whirlpool Wood Located across from the Whirlpool Golf Course;
7. Chippawa Battlefield Located north of Ussher’s Creek

WHAT:  
Prescribed burns are conducted to encourage the regeneration of native prairie grasses and plants, while helping to control invasive plant species. Seven prescribed burns have been approved by The Niagara Parks Commission, the Ministry of Natural Resources, as well as municipal offices and fire departments.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Dino McDonnell, Assistant Superintendent
dmcdonnell@niagaraparks.com
(905) 295-4396 ext. 241

1. Red and Black children’s backpacks with fun character designs
2. Assorted soft toys

As noted in the Letter of Interest, each charity will receive approximately 3300 knapsacks and 1000 assorted soft toys.

We are delighted to announce that the following charities are the successful winners:

• Life Line Aid – Niagara Falls
• Niagara Warehouse of Hope Inc. and its affiliates Ryan’s Bowl Food Program and Wells of Hope
• Catholic Women’s League

As indicated all of these items must be shipped to a third world country due to proprietary markings and each charity must sign a Declaration Form confirming disposition of items to a third world country. Winners can pick up their lots at the Niagara Parks Commission Distribution Centre located at 7856 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Please contact Mr. Jerry Taylor at (905) 295-4377, Ext. 231 to make arrangements for pick-up.

The Niagara Parks thanks all parties that submitted Letters of Interest and congratulations again to the winners.

Regards

Donna M. Lacka, C.S.C.M.P., C.I.M.
Manager of Corporate Procurement
Email: dlacka@niagaraparks.com

The Niagara Parks Commission is inviting charities from the Niagara Region who are affiliated with third world countries to submit a letter of interest by March 1, 2013, if interested in receiving the following donated items;

1. Red and black children’s backpacks with fun character designs
2. Assorted soft toys.

Once all charities have submitted a letter of interest, a random draw will take place on March 4, 2013 and three charities will be chosen. Each charity will receive approximately 3,300 knapsacks and 1,000 assorted soft toys.

All of these items must be shipped to a third world country due to proprietary markings, and each charity must sign a declaration form confirming disposition of items to a third world country. All items are to be picked up at Niagara Parks Commission Distribution Centre located at 7856 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Send Letter of Interest to: Donna M. Lacka, C.P.P., C.I.M.
Manager of Corporate Procurement
Email: dlacka@niagaraparks.com