Prospect Park Dock Replacement – Delayed HALTON HILLS, ON – The Town is still moving forward on the replacement of the dock on Fairy Lake at Prospect Park despite a delay with the overall project. Bids for the project received in March were in excess of the approved budget, and Conservation Authority restrictions would not allow work to be completed in the lake from April 1 to July 1. The Town has decided to retender the project and delay the construction until fall in order to ensure the best quality solution. “We are disappointed that we could not construct the dock this spring” said Mayor Rick Bonnette, “But we are committed to completing the dock replacement project in order to improve accessibility to Fairy Lake for all. Meanwhile our partnership with Holy Cow Canoe continues so as to provide canoe and kayak rentals at the park throughout the season.” The Town is currently redesigning the project to reduce costs, and investigating alternative funding sources. Improving site accessibility is key for both the replacement of the dock and ramp access to the launch area. Regular dock inspections and minor repairs will ensure that use is not impacted this season. The project will be retendered this summer with construction in the fall after the summer boating season is over. About the Town of Halton Hills The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto. The Town is the 2013 recipient of the National Municipal Environmental Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine. – 30 – Communications Contact: Alex Fuller, Manager of Corporate Communications 905-873-2601 ext. 2412 afuller@haltonhills.ca

2014

On change.org we have started a petition to update fairy lake with a wheelchair accessible floating dock.

Working dockside at Fairy Lake, I see on a daily basis the hurdles from a broken down dock. The general public tripping on the public dock as well, wheelchair bound people unable to reach the lake for the boundaries they have in front of them.

There are plans in the works to update the park at Fairy Lake in the near future. I would like the Town of Halton Hills to include updating the dock to introduce a Wheelchair Accessible floating dock that will allow for the many who cannot reach the waterside. Currently, the dock is falling apart with tripping hazards, bumpy uneven surfaces.

We communicate with many people in the community of  Acton who strongly agree it is time the Town focuses on removing the boundaries that prevent “enjoying the water”.

Please consider signing the petition.

UPDATE

Dec 9, 2015 — Received an email from the Town of Halton Hills. The town has agreed to replace the dock to include a wheelchair accessible dock based on community consultations. The community consultations will be likely in the Spring 2016 with the construction in the Fall of 2016.

We are the cow that jumped over the moon happy! @holycowcanoe

Holy Cow Canoe has been recognized as an International Safety Partner joining the lifejacket movement to promote personal responsibility through the wearing of lifejackets in small vessels. As a manufacturer of canoes we always encourage the importance of always wearing your life jacket. We know that wearing lifejackets saves lives –  Canadian Safe Boating Council estimates that “100 lives a year could be saved in Canada if people always wore their lifejacket when boating. But many boaters don’t. The CSBC recently signed an International Lifejacket Wear Principles Agreement aimed at encouraging lifejacket wear. To view the press release, click here. ”

About the principals of the International Lifejacket wear, here is an exert from their website:

“A collaboration by some of the most prominent boating safety authorities

and organisations in the world aims to promote lifejacket wear and prevent death by drowning.

Representatives of national boating authorities and organisations from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom today agreed on the International Lifejacket Wear Principles, following the Marine13 conference in Sydney. Although unable to attend the conference, the Boating Division of the US Coast Guard has also indicated its strong interest in the Principles.

Across these nations, the majority of all fatal boating accident victims drown and of these, around four out of five are reported as not wearing a lifejacket.”

We are proud to be a part of the Principals. Following a list of the best practices The Holy Cow Canoe encourages when you are in your canoe.

Always -Always -Always wear your life jacket, even if your a strong swimmer
•    Take a hand’s on lesson before attempting your first paddling experience
•    Be a swimmer
•    Check the weather
•    Check the water conditions Flood Status
•    Always paddle with someone
•    Assess your boat with 3 points of contact.
•    Do not stand or move about excessively.
•    Load the boat properly. Do not overload your vessel. Read this article on outfitting your boat
•    Keep yourself and equipment low and along the center line.
•    Balance your boat and remain seated at all times.
•    Keep your shoulders within the gunwales of the boat.
•    Carry a spare paddle
•    Always dress for an unexpected flip in the weather, wear appropriate clothing.
•    Wear a Hat or Helmet
•    Carry a Whistle or Sound Signaling Device, throw bags and other rescue gear
•    Carry a bilge pump and/or Bailer
•    Carry self-rescue devices such as paddle float, slings, tow ropes, and light/signal/flashlight/headlamp
•    Use sunscreen
•    Use UV Eye Protection
•    Carry drinking water (NO ALCOHOL)

We strongly advise becoming familiar with the your new canoe in a shallow area first before venturing out into deeper waters. On any new canoe, or water craft, it is a good idea to tip your canoe over on purpose in a shallow area so you become better familiar with how the canoe
will respond, behave, how far you can push the canoe safely, and in order to practice emergency.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
With the help of the other person in your canoe, you can get out in shallow water and flip the canoe to dump out the water and climb in. Your canoe will float even if it’s full of water until you can get to shore to empty it.

NOTE: ALWAYS SIT ON THE SEATS OR IN THE CENTER OF THE CANOE – SITTING ON THE SIDE OF A CANOE WILL CAUSE IT TO TIP OVER.

TO GET INTO YOUR CANOE:

1. HAVE SOMEONE HOLD THE CANOE STEADY

2. CROUCH LOW – keep your knees bent

3. GRAB THE SIDES OF THE CANOE FOR BALANCE as you walk to your seat

4. ALWAYS WALK ALONG THE CENTER

– keeping your feet on the center line will help keep the canoe from rocking.

5. STAY LOW – do not stand up or walk in your canoe when you are away from shore.

6. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET – you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly.

7. AVOID SUDDEN OR JERKY MOVEMENTS

– rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over.

CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT

1. Make a checklist and go over it before pushing off each time you canoe.

2. Canoes should be equipped with at least two paddles.

3. Every canoe should have two lines, a bowline and stern

4. An extra throw rope (for emergencies) should be stored safely in each craft. Store any loose ropes safely. Loose ropes

are deadly. Lines should be tied and wrapped before departing.

5. Attach a whistle (or other attention getting device) to your life vest to signal for help.

6. Carry a First Aid Kit inside the canoe. Store kits inside waterproof coverings.

7. Take a repair kit with you. Include quick repair items like duct tape, sealant, waterproof tape and other materials.

NEVER TIE PADDLES

Some canoeists tie paddles to the boat to avoid losing them.

Do not do this.

Tied paddles become extremely dangerous if the canoe does tip.

CHECK THE WATERS

→Class I – Moving water with small waves. Few or no obstructions.

→Class II – Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.

→Class III – Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow

passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require some scouting from shore.

→Class IV – Long, difficult rapids and constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout from shore often necessary and conditions make rescue difficult. Canoeists and kayakers should have the ability to roll.

→Class V – Extremely difficult. Long very violent rapids with highly congested routes that nearly always must be scouted. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Ability to execute a roll is essential for all boaters in kayaks and closed canoes.

→Class VI – Difficulties in Class V carried to the extreme of navigability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For experts only.