Clearville Park will be retained and operated by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent if CK council approves a staff recommendation.
Staff is recommending transitioning to a full cost recovery business model with user fee increases phased-in over five years to ensure that park revenues are sufficient to meet both operating and capital requirements.
The administration report will be discussed at the Chatham-Kent council meeting on Monday.
According to the report, park revenues must increase by 115 per cent, or approximately $530,000 per season, to fund both operating and capital requirements without ongoing tax subsidy.
Staff said the park in Ridgetown needs an estimated $4.5 million in capital improvements over the next 10 years, double the park's appraised value, compared to a projected $950,000 in the park's reserve over the same period, excluding inflation.
"The Municipality continues to incur infrastructure repair costs necessary to maintain service. Notably, between 2025 and 2026 Clearville Park experienced two Boil Water Advisories due to deteriorating water infrastructure. During this period, approximately $75,000 was spent on investigating, repairing, and replacing water and sanitary systems," staff said.
Council approved selling the Clearville Campground and adjacent parkland during the 2025 budget deliberations, but the sale was deferred until full public consultation and a review were undertaken with users of Clearville Park and others.
During the consultation, staff disclosed that several Clearville Park residents indicated that all or portions of the property were either donated or sold to the former Township of Orford with conditions requiring the land to revert to the original owners if it ceased to be used as a public park.
Administration noted a complete review of all available Clearville Park records has been done and they have concluded that no rights of reversion exist for the former landowners, meaning the municipality holds the property unconditionally.
The report also noted that the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is shying away from a partnership with the municipality, citing a long-term business case for the park has not yet been developed.
Transferring ownership to LTVCA would not eliminate the municipality’s financial exposure, the report added.
Clearville Park is an 88.54-acre property featuring 125 seasonal sites and 32 transient sites. It also has a large, wooded area, park area, and boat launch.
Administration noted that all seasonal lots are full with 65 individuals on a waiting list.
