Comments on Proposed Wasaga…

Comments on Proposed Wasaga Beach Management Plan 2019-07-16
3. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the future use of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. As a hiker and cyclist ( Ganaraska /Wasaga Beach Hiking Club) who uses the park frequently and in all seasons I support the statement that the park should provide high quality interpretive and educational opportunities and experiences based on the park and the area’s cultural and natural heritage. However I find the park to be two different experiences. The 1.1million visitors in July and August use the beach for recreational activities, water sports and hiking and cycling trails. The park should encourage ecologically sustainable activities on the beach and river such as kayaking/canoeing, SUP, kite/wind surfing . There could be better access to fishing along the mouth of the river with earlier open season. The park trail system includes Shore Lane Trail – one of the most beautiful hiking and biking trails in the area. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail organization is working with the town to bring the trail through Wasaga Beach.(greatlakeswaterfronttrail.org). This is a great opportunity for the park and the town to work together to make this a first class multi use trail which would be a benefit to both.
Nancy Island Historical Site is the only location in town for information on history and culture of Wasaga Beach. The site has great potential to expand and become the hub/ education centre for information/courses/tours relative to indigenous history and culture, ecosystems of the natural environment area of the park, guided hikes, trails -offroad/onroad/mountain bike trails, orienteering, tree canopy walks (build it and they will come). A similar situation exists in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba where the park includes the small town of Wasagaming. The park office is the centre of activity both educational and tourist for the town. (www.pc.gc.ca) . Riding Mountain puts a big emphasis on including indigenous culture in the educational tours they offer. I feel this could be explored in Wasaga Beach since the area has been home to First Nations for many centuries. Last but not least a Dark Sky Preserve. A proposal for this is currently being discussed at the Healthy Community Network – an advisory committee to town council. This would be a good opportunity for the park and town to work together to make this happen and would be an economic, ecological and educational benefit to both.( https://www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/tag/dark-sky-preserve)
Alternatively the expansion of park use could be at the Nordic Centre at Blueberry Trail. This facility is only used for winter activities and could easily be expanded to accommodate all the aforementioned educational and cultural activities. In winter the park is currently used for cross country ski/snowshoe activities on marked and managed trails. There is potential for such activities as guided winter hikes on non marked trails, a skating trail, traditional dog sled tours and indigenous ways of surviving in winter.
In conclusion the first goal of the park should be to preserve the ecological integrity and diversity of species in the park but through educational activities the park could appeal to a wider public than present
6.1 I don’t know what part of the park you would put campsites. Maybe some areas of the beach. Not enough to make any economic gains for the park or the town? The natural area has no infrastructure for large scale camping. Also it’s not a wilderness park suitable for backcountry camping . Maybe some yurts or similar structures.
6.2 The park should be designated a Natural Environment park and promoted to the public as such.
6.3 Beach access should be clearly signed and limited – other paths thru the dunes should be closed off.
6.4 Rename the beach. Leave the numbered beaches as is. The public is familiar with the system, it’s easy to identify location of any beach and the cost of change would probably be considerable.