Various inventories over the last few years have revealed a tremendous variety of 
flora and fauna, underscoring the important role this forest plays for wildlife. For 
this reason alone, it is worthy of our attention. But the forest has many dimensions, 
it is also a working forest, an outdoor classroom, and a place for hiking, biking, and 
other activities. It is gradually becoming a destination for birdwatchers, hikers, 
naturalists and those interested in outdoor recreation. This report updates my last 
article on Larose Forest (Hanrahan 2004) and provides information on the outcome 
of the 2004 Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decision, and a number of other Larose 
related topics that have arisen, some new and some new-to-me. 
Background 
When a local group, Francoscenie Inc., proposed a theatrical pageant/theme park 
called L 'echo d 'un peuple, for Larose Forest, there was widespread concern that the 
forest’s conservation values would be destroyed. Accordingly a number of people 
came together in an attempt to stop this project. Under the banner of The Friends of 
Larose Forest, they sought help from many quarters including the OFNC. As a last 
measure, they went to the OMB to appeal the UCPR Official Plan (OP) Amendment 
No. 4 which would allow this development. Despite what many thought, the OMB 
appeal was not against Francoscenie Inc. nor was there ever any doubt in anyone’s 
mind that the project itself was an interesting and innovative event that deserved to 
be staged—but not in Larose Forest! 
The Development Proposal and the OMB 
In 2002 Francoscenie Inc. put forth their plans for Larose Forest, at the same time 
applying to the UCPR for an amendment to the OP and to the City of Clarence- 
Rockland for a similar amendment, to allow this development. In March 2003, the 
UCPR approved the OP Amendment but Clarence-Rockland made no decision either 
way. Interestingly, at about this time UCPR also produced a map showing the 
project site as non-significant woodland (unforested) when in fact it is as thickly 
treed as the surrounding woodland deemed significant. How this ‘slip-up’ happened 
has not been clearly explained. It should also be noted that Larose Forest is zoned 
Conservation land by the City of Clarence-Rockland within whose boundaries the 
largest portion of the forest lies. 
The development proponents initially asked for 142 hectares (or just over 353 acres) 
in Larose Forest to stage their pageant. However, under public pressure, they 
modified their application, asking for 73 hectares (180 acres), of which, they said, 
only 11 hectares (27 acres) would be developed for Phase 1 (the pageant). In fact 
their plans called for a 6 hectare (15 acre) parking lot, a 6 hectare (15 acre) staging 
site, a 10 hectare (25 acre) septic bed, and 34 hectare (85 acre) theme park. Equally 
worrying was the precedent setting nature of this development, should it go ahead. 
Tourism revenue is highly sought after and not just in Prescott-Russell, where it was 
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