Arnprior residents rallying to stop proposed sale of land to save local old growth forest [Video]

Residents in the Town of Arnprior are rallying to stop a proposed sale of land that could see development encroach on a community greenspace.

Gillies Grove Park in Arnprior has been dedicated as a national historic site, as it is one of the few remaining old growth forests.

But residents are concerned that the sale of 20 acres of land adjacent to Gillies Grove could destroy the nature area that has been preserved there.

“People are outraged. The community just simply didn’t know this was happening,” said Lacey Smith, chair of the Save Gillies Grove Again committee.

The name is a reference to similar community action that was successfully taken in the 1990’s.

The land, currently owned by the Galilee Centre in Arnprior, is proposed to be sold to Cavanagh Construction.

It is privately owned. The two parties are private entities, and the purchase has not been finalized.

“At this …