The Town of Gravenhurst now says part of Muskoka Beach Park will be available for public use.
After further review with the Town’s engineering consultant, a portion of the park will be available, including a designated swim area.
Work must still be done to make the beach safe, however.
Plans are in place to phase the work as much as possible over time to permit the construction to proceed while allowing the public to continue to enjoy at least a portion of the current beach area.
“We are planning for a more centralized beachfront a safe distance from the Hoc Roc River,” says Andrew Stacey Director of Infrastructure Services. “While the defective shoreline walls continue to be the primary safety concern at this location, future plans will include a more naturalized rock retaining wall as opposed to concrete. When finished, there will be a newly defined picnic area and greater accessibility to all of the park elements. Additional funding was required through Council to address the failure of a secondary shoreline wall which increased the project scope and delayed the start of the project”
There is a short construction window that includes a need to abide by both Federal and Provincial guidelines for the protection of fish and fish habitat. As the rehabilitation project progresses, some restrictions will need to continue to be in place to protect the safety of the general public.
Ongoing site engineering will continue over the summer, with the project being tendered this fall with actual construction to follow.
Schedule of opening for additional outdoor amenities:
Public beaches
All municipally operated beaches are now open which is three weeks earlier than a typical summer season.
Swim buoys and safety awareness signage has been placed at all beach sites inclusive of Muskoka Beach Park.
The public is reminded to abide by all posted onsite COVID-19 protocols and applicable beach rules.
Beaches remain unsupervised at this time.
Gravenhurst Ball Diamonds
Wharf, Muskoka Bay and Gull Lake diamonds will be open to the public today (Friday May 28)
The opening was delayed to permit grooming operations to be scheduled of the infield diamonds.
The public is reminded that under the current Provincial framework, team sports are not practiced or permitted within this amenity.
Gull Lake Volley Ball
Play area will be opened to the public on Friday June 4th
Prior to opening, edging will occur to enhance the delineation of the court, including the placement of additional court sand as part of the Parks Division ongoing beautification efforts.
Splash Pad
Splash Pad will be open and available to the public on Friday June 11th
Prior to opening, the pad is being scheduled to be power washed and the mechanicals are being seasonally serviced.
Opening of the pad is occurring a week in advance of a typical summer season.
Picnic Pavilions and Shelters will be open on Saturday May 29th
