By Cecilia Nasmith
The Municipality of Port Hope is advising residents and visitors that overnight camping will not be permitted in Optimist Park and Cavan Street Park during the spring trout fishing opening weekend, April 24 and 25.
Last year, the Municipality amended its Parks Bylaw to prohibit camping at these parks in the case of a declared emergency or when social-distancing measures are in effect.
“We are implementing the clause in our Parks Bylaw, which prohibits camping again this year, to discourage out-of-town anglers from travelling to Port Hope to fish in the Ganaraska River while the pandemic remains a concern,” Mayor Bob Sanderson stated in the press release.
“We sincerely hope that we will be able to welcome anglers and accommodate overnight camping once again next year.”
While access to municipal properties that border the Ganaraska River remains open at this time, land restrictions may be implemented at the discretion of municipal senior staff.
As well, the fish-cleaning station at the bottom of Mill Street South remains closed until further notice.
“The municipality continues to liaise with the local health unit, and residents and visitors should be prepared for changes to our municipal land access at a moment’s notice,” Sanderson added.
“Prohibiting access to public property is not ideal, but we will act accordingly in the interest of public safety, if needed.”
Anglers are reminded that social-distancing measures (as directed by the provincial government) remain in effect, and that group-gathering restrictions are in place.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 impacts to the Municipality of Port Hope, visit the municipality's COVID-19 web page.
