By Cecilia Nasmith

In response to the province's Emergency and Stay-At-Home Orders, the Municipality of Port Hope is temporarily restricting access to all land that borders the Ganaraska River in two phases.

Effective immediately, properties south of the railway tracks (excluding the beaches), the municipal boat launch and the Fishway are closed,

Effective April 23 – to align with the start of the trout-fishing season – the remainder of municipal properties bordering the river from Molson Street South to Lake Ontario will be closed.

While the province is encouraging all Ontarians to limit their outdoor activities and recreation to their own communities, past experience has demonstrated that the Ganaraska River and the Fishway are popular destinations that draw visitors from across the province and even Quebec. To manage enforcement of the Provincial Emergency and Stay at Home Order, limited access to the river is being imposed to discourage the anticipated out-of-town travellers and group gatherings.

“The decision to restrict access to the municipal lands along the Ganaraska River is not an easy one, and we are disheartened to have to impose this safety measure again,” Mayor Bob Sanderson commented in the announcement.

“The number of COVID-19 cases, including the new variants, in our community, has escalated and our priority is the health and wellness of our residents. The temporary closure of land, while disappointing, is needed to help slow the spread of the virus.”

As fishing season approaches, local residents have raised concerns about large group gatherings and an increase of visitors to the area. Prior to enforcing this land access closure, municipal staff consulted with the Port Hope Police Service, Municipal Law Enforcement and the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority.

The municipality has provided details on closures in both phases.

In Phase 1, these will include lands that border the mouth of the Ganaraska River south of the CN Railway tracks (excluding the beaches), the municipal boat launch, access to the Fishway (also known as the Fish Ladder or Corbett's Dam), the fish-cleaning station (which remains closed), and all access to GRCA properties, including the Ganaraska Millennium, Port Hope, Sylvan Glen and Thurne Parks Conservation Areas (which also remain closed).

Temporary signage surrounding the impacted area will be installed immediately to alert residents and visitors of the temporary land use restrictions.

Phase 2 takes effect Friday, April 23 – the opening weekend of trout fishing. It will see closure of all lands (including parks and trails) that border the Ganaraska River from Molson Street South to Lake Ontario (excluding beaches). Access to GRCA properties (including Ganaraska Millennium, Port Hope, Sylvan Glen and Thurne Parks Conservation Areas), the Fishway (also known as the Fish Ladder or Corbett's Dam), municipal boat launch and fish-cleaning station will remain closed.

Municipal staff will install temporary signage along the river on April 23 to alert residents and visitors of the temporary land use restrictions.

Access to beaches, playgrounds, picnic areas, parks, and trails that do not border the river will remain open.