Georgina’s beaches to open on Canada Day

By: Mike Anderson

While residents of Georgina won’t be able to watch real-life fireworks on Canada Day, they’ll be able to take a dip in Lake Simcoe at one of the town’s waterfront parks. 

The Town’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will open the municipalities larger waterfront parks and beaches  – Willow Beach, De La Salle and Holmes Point — for public access on July 1, as part of the region’s Stage 2 reopening of public amenities. 

“York Region is moving to Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan. This is good news as we look to get our local businesses back on track and reignite Georgina as a thriving community,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk in a media release issued on June 18.

“This means the Town is reopening more public amenities, however, we are moving forward cautiously with a staggered approach to ensure we are making the right decisions for our community.

The Town continues to take the necessary preparations adhering to new health and safety procedures and protocols. We all have a role to play, and we can only open amenities if everyone continues to follow and adhere to the advice of public health officials.”

Although Georgina’s major beaches will be open to mark the unofficial beginning of summer, the Town says it will ensure health and safety protocols are in place to control public access.

However, the specifics of these protocols – which include permitted park/beach use, parking and new controlled public access measures – will be announced prior to reopening.

“The decision to open some waterfront parks has not been taken lightly, just as the decision to close them in March was not. We have heard from many who support the opening as well as from those who would like them to remain closed,” said Mayor Quirk.

“The EOC has reviewed this daily, and we know there is no solution that will make everybody happy. The health and safety of our residents, staff and visitors remains our top priority.”

The opening of other parks and amenities will be also be announced at a later date, as the Town continues its phased approach.

However, according to the release, the following public amenities are reopening on these dates:

·       June 19 – Skateboard parks, splash pads (ROC, Whipper Watson and Const. Garrett Styles Park).  ROC beach volleyball courts. (Volleyball courts at De La Salle will remain closed). Artificial turf field at the ROC.

·       June 22 –  ROC baseball diamond #1 – permits available

·       June 29 –  All ROC baseball diamonds – permits available

·       June 29 –  ROC soccer fields – permits available

The Town also reminds residents to obtain their 2020 resident parking pass which is now available online at georgina.ca/ParkingPass. In the interim, the Town will continue to accept 2019 resident parking passes.