Recently there was some discussion on Facebook about “new signs” posted around Fairy Lake prohibiting skating and some enforcement that followed. Acton UP reached out to the Town of Halton Hills to ask, “what’s UP?”
We spoke with Kevin Okimi, the Director of Parks and Open Space for Halton Hills. He explained that these signs go up every year and that the by-law was passed in 2013 but previously existed in another by-law dating back to 2003.
By-Law No. 2013-0062, Part VII, 12 (b) says “While in a park, no Person shall ice skate, ice fish, ice sail, ski, snowboard, ski-bob, sled or toboggan in any Park except in those areas designated for that purpose”.
The reason for this says Okimi is “safety. The Town does not monitor ice conditions.”
He continues, “The Town recognizes that the lake has been used historically for recreation in winter months. People seem to accept the risk despite the posted signs, and since no complaints have been received, no enforcement has occurred historically, so people are not aware that the activities are actually prohibited.”
So, what changed?
“In early January, there was a combination of the Provincial Stay at Home Order (COVID), the opening of outdoor ice rinks, safety concerns with storm water ponds, combined with milder than typical weather, which lead to an increase in enforcement activities.“ This extended to Fairy Lake which is normally enforced on a complaint basis.
Residents can expect enforcement to “return to complaint based” says Okimi, now that ice rinks and storm water pond measures have been in place for a few weeks and consistent colder temperatures have set in.
However, residents should also be mindful that By-Law Officers will continue to follow up on complaints received through the COVID-19 Hotline. COVID violations would typically be “game play or gatherings over five people”. And when responding to complaints, enforcement staff may also need to enforce any prohibited activities under the parks bylaw that are observed at the same time. For example, if while attending a COVID call at Prospect Park, people are observed skating on Fairy Lake, they could be asked to stop.
Fines for COVID violations may be more than the parks by-law fines, which vary from $50-$100. Enforcement officers do not typically issue fines unless residents are uncooperative and refuse to comply with requests to cease any prohibited activities.
The Town continues to encourage people to use the Town’s official outdoor skating rinks at Prospect Park and, new this year, Acton Arena. These areas are designated for pleasure skating, again due to COVID, and as such playing hockey is prohibited (Halton Hills By-Law 2013-0062, VII, 12. (d)). Okimi reminds residents that “We (The Town of Halton Hills) are trying to provide
Comments