Town of Gananoque Gifted 35-Acre McLean Forest

Gananoque – The Council of the Town of Gananoque is pleased to advise residents that it is the honoured recipient of a 35-acre gift of land from the McLean Family. This managed forest located at the east end of the Town, south of the commercial area abuts the St. Lawrence River to the north and 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:

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:

“Judith Scott McLean Memorial Forest
Ivan and Marguerite Scott purchased this land as a working farm from the Dempster family in 1950. Their daughter Judy inherited the farm in 1981. Judy’s goal was to preserve a habitat for native plants and animals. In her memory, Judy’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are proud to donate this property in perpetuity to the Town of Gananoque. Our hope is that the residents of Gananoque and its visitors will respect and enjoy the natural beauty of this property as much as Judy did. Please, respectfully enjoy the trails, animals, plants and lovely view of the mighty St. Lawrence River from ‘Turtle Rock’.
– The McLean 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. Green space in any municipality is a critical resource always in short supply, and their generosity will enhance the quality of life in our Town forever. I look forward to the erection of a plaque commemorating both Ms. McLean as well as this gift in her name, and I invite all citizens of Gananoque to join me in expressing our thanks to the McLean family and remember Ms. McLean as they walk the trails and listen to the wind in the trees of her namesake forest.” commented Mayor John Beddows.