Herb Gray Parkway snake habitat concerns LaSalle

Habitat areas designed to protect snakes at risk due to the construction of the Herb Gray Parkway have raised the concerns of politicians and some residents in LaSalle.

Mayor Ken Antaya says some residents are alarmed to discover snake habitats near their homes.

Antaya was part of a conference call with provincial Ministry of Natural Resources to discuss the situation Tuesday.

Antaya says one of the habitat areas for snakes is to be near homes off Todd Lane. He says the planning of such areas should be done in a thoughtful way.

"They're abandoned homes they're taking down and they're filling the basements up with crushed concrete, dirt and gravel. [They're] putting pipes in there and creating a habitat for the snakes," Antaya said. "We're concerned about the nearby residents."

Consideration should be given to residents as well as the importance of the species, he says.

"We felt that they were located in an area that could have been reconsidered because it was fairly close to residences," Antaya said.

Ministry officials have assured Antaya they're planning habitat areas that can't be detected and that they're as natural as possible.

But Antaya says the town already has several natural areas that are homes to snakes, including LaSalle Woods and the Spring Garden Area of Natural Scientific Interest.

Antaya says having habitat areas near roads like Todd Lane could be a detriment to snakes crossing over. He says he has received some assurances from ministry officials.

"The trend would be away from the road," Antaya said.

Antaya says the MNR will take all concerns into consideration and incorporate them into the design of habitat areas.

But retiree Brad Wogan, whose Todd Lane home backs onto parkway property, wants an area dedicated to the snakes.

The sport pigeon breeder said the snakes keep rats and mice away from the home.

"A sanctuary would probably be a good thing. They don’t cause any problems. They don’t cause any fear," Wogan said. "I don’t think you’re going to get rid of them. They’re here to stay. And it doesn’t bother me at all."

Even though the snakes eat the occasional pigeon egg.