The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is posting “No Trespassing” signs on trails, parks and natural areas to urge people to stay out while crews continue to clean up from the Dec. 22 ice storm.
The red and white signs read “No Trespassing: Dangerous conditions exist beyond this point – Area closed.”
Thousands of trees were damaged during the ice storm on the 20,000 hectares of land owned by the GRCA. Dozens of staff, augmented by four private tree firms, have been working steadily since December to clear out hazardous trees and branches. In addition, trained and properly equipped volunteers belonging to snowmobile clubs have been working on some trails.
But the damage is so heavy that some popular areas and trails may not see work crews for weeks.
GRCA parks staff have authority under provincial law to issue trespassing tickets. They haven’t written any yet, but could issue tickets to those who ignore requests to leave a property or return after having been asked to leave.
The GRCA is also concerned about “do-it-yourselfers” who have been going onto trails and into parks to clear away debris so they can use the areas.
“The problem is that while they may be moving branches and trees on the ground, they’re not clearing the material far enough away from the trails to be safe for snowmobilers,” GRCA officials state in a press release.
“Nor are they dealing with the danger posed by hanging branches and leaning trees. The risk is that visitors could think a trail is safe but could be hit by falling debris or, in the case of snowmobilers, run into newly-fallen branches or trees. This has been a problem particularly on the Elora-Cataract Trailway.”
Cottage roads closed
In cottage areas at Conestogo Lake and Belwood Lake, roads remained closed as of Jan. 17 and cottage owners asked to stay away until roads have been reopened.
Updates will be provided regularly to the cottage associations.
The latest status of other GRCA properties indicates:
– Shade’s Mills Park (Cambridge) and Belwood Lake Park (Fergus) have opened for the season for ice-fishing, although the warm spell earlier this week disrupted activities. With the return of colder weather, Shade’s reopened Jan. 17. Belwood will reopen when ice conditions are safe. Visitors are urged to stay out of forested areas;
– Laurel Creek Park (Waterloo) opened briefly last weekend for skiing, but had to close because of the warm weather earlier this week. It will remain closed until snow conditions improve; and
– Pinehurst Lake Park (between Paris and Cambridge) remains closed due to heavy tree damage. It’s uncertain if it will open at all this season.
Visitors discouraged
All other GRCA paid-admission parks remain closed, including Conestogo Lake, Elora Gorge, Elora Quarry, Guelph Lake, Rockwood, Brant and Byng (note: these parks are normally closed during the winter).
All rail-trails remain closed including Elora-Cataract, Cambridge-Paris, SC Johnson Trail (Paris to Brantford) and Brantford-Hamilton.
Four nature centres – Laurel Creek (Waterloo), Guelph Lake, Shade’s Mills (Cambridge) and Apps’ Mill (near Brantford) – are open for school classes and GRCA-organized events.
Visitors are discouraged from walking on their own along trails or in wooded areas.
All unpaid admission areas remain closed including Puslinch and Starkey Hill (Guelph).
