‘Incredibly generous’: Town of Gananoque gifted 35-acre McLean forest

The Town of Gananoque has received a 35-acre gift of land from the McLean Family.

This managed forest is located at the east end of town, south of the commercial area that abuts the St. Lawrence River to the north; it has historically been enjoyed as part of the town’s trail system.

The lands will be formally named the “Judith McLean Woods” in honour of Judith Scott McLean. A plaque will be erected with the following wording as requested by the family:

The Town has promised to acknowledge, maintain, preserve and respect the current managed forest status of the property and covenants to prohibit any development of the property whatsoever, save and except for any extension or expansion of any municipal infrastructure.

“On behalf of the Town of Gananoque I want to thank the McLean family for the incredibly generous gift of this property, henceforth to be known as Judith McLean Memorial Forest,” said Mayor John Beddows in a press release. “Green space in any municipality is a critical resource always in short supply, and their generosity will enhance quality of life in our town forever.”

Beddows added that he looks forward to the erection of a plaque commemorating both Ms. McLean and this gift in her name.

“I invite all citizens of Gananoque to join me in expressing our thanks to the McLean family and to remember Ms. McLean as they walk the trails and listen to the wind in the trees of her namesake forest.”