Workers removing vegetation from the south parking lot attracted attention from the public on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said she was contacted by citizens who had concerns about what was taking place along the inner basin.
Assistant Manager with Waterfront Operations, Julie Behan-Jones said due to the two high lake level events in 2017 and 2019 waterfront staff were unable to maintain the area to the south of the parking lot just east of the boat launch as per normal operational procedures.
“Because of the low grade of the area when lake levels rose, student daycamps could not safely use the existing land as it remained wet for seasons between the high levels because of the scrub that grew in to the east,” said Behan-Jones.
The Ganaraska Conservation Authority, “had no objection to the Town clearing the small triangular shaped area directly in front of the marina parking lot prior to the start of the April 15th nesting season. We understand that the need to re-route pedestrians from the parking lot to the proposed trail is one of risk management and public safety.”
Behan-Jones said only the low brush is being removed; dogwood, buckthorn, some scrub willow, scrub (tag) alder and some dead elms There are some aspen/poplars and black willows that will remain.
“Moving forward, we will be working with the GRCA in implementing recommendations of the new Shoreline Management Plan, picking/refining trail alignments that will have the least environmental impact and collaborating on strategic clearing and planting efforts to improve the diversity of habitat and ecological functions within the area.
Machinery is also clearing the area of the boat launch preparing from the summer boating season.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
