Cutting access to Wasaga’s Beaches

Several people who spoke were all there to ask about a very specific issue. That issue was the public access paths out in the Allenwood Beach area.

For those who could not attend, I encourage you to be sure to watch the YouTube recording… “if” the Town has recorded the meeting and publishes it. It certainly got heated each time this issue was raised.

Before we discuss the WOW stuff I have learned from some of tonight’s speakers (who were shut down by the audience jeers), I want to point out that this is probably the single most important issue that could affect EVERY resident or visitor to Wasaga Beach moving forward, forever.

From our most eastern property, to our most western, there are many access paths to the beach which have been used exclusively as access trails for generations. I have seen Thousands of families with their coolers and towels in tow, heading to one of these paths. All of that could STOP.

The Mayor appeared to have already decided on the issue of ownership of property right to the water’s edge by warning people that they should not use these paths as they lead to private property and yes… you could be arrested. I think he even said the town would stop maintaining these paths as well.

Stop and reflect on this for just a moment. Right now… the issue has heated up because of two specific paths in the east end. The town (despite appearing to have already decided) says they are undergoing an extensive study and will host public meetings about the issue.

One person I spoke with has said he spoke to the Towns lawyer on this issue and was told they had not researched the same depth this person had.

But, let’s imagine for just a moment that the select property owners at the centre of this, happen to win their fight. (I don’t believe that will happen based on documents I have seen) But IF…. Well then that decision/ situation could spread to all properties that are in similar situations. The Towns recently erected signs would spread from one end of town to the other. Suddenly… we no longer have the longest Freshwater Beach in the World.

Yes…. Even the development at the main beach could be subject to the same protections. Wow! Welcome to Wasaga Beach- No trespassing! As just ONE example… Thousands of people who use the access path between 41st and 43rd may be forced to divert after the no trespassing signs get added.

But why so much turmoil tonight? At one point, one speaker asked if our CAO Andrew McNeill would be excluded from any of the investigations and pending decisions because he owned one of the disputed properties. Mr. McNeill responded by pointing towards an area in the audience while correcting the man by saying his Mom owned the property.

The Mayor then stepped in and said that the CAO would have no part in the reports or decisions.

Well… in other Facebook threads and in talking to persons directly involved, it appears to be too late for that, our CAO is very involved. I have been told that he conducted one of his meet the CAO sessions with people about this issue recently and ended the meetings abruptly in anger. The residents left but insisted the town acknowledge receipt of their documents. Our CAO has apparently yelled at people using the path and the beach that has been there for many many years. This path has been used by thousands and thousands of people to access the beach. I was told that a great deal of the research done in this matter was done as a direct result of his insistance that his family owns to the water’s edge. I know documents and detailed summaries will one day be shared, then we can all decide.

So… as of tonight, the Mayor has cautioned everyone about using these beach access paths in Wasaga Beach. If I had been given the opportunity to return to the mike, I would have asked….

How many of these Paths in Wasaga Beach have been identified in the recent Surplus Properties reports. If these properties are in fact declared “surplus”, can anyone buy them when the Town sells? Or… will they simply be offered to the adjoining property owner?

Can I purchase one to have a 10’ wide beach front lot? If I had the opportunity, I would! Then I would erect signs welcoming everyone to use it. (Or would the sign be prohibited?)

This is a HUGE real estate issue. Imagine the increases in property value if it is suddenly decided that all of these properties should be sold off by the town? They have been legal access paths with a long tradition of use by THOUSANDS of beach goers who purchased properties within walking distance to an access path and suddenly those hundreds of properties are worth less money. But hey…. Suddenly the flip side could also be true. Would those properties now protected from visiting beach goers now have a massive increase in value?

The bottom line is that we live in Wasaga “Beach”. I would like to one day walk the entire length of the beach with my grandkids. That may be at my own legal risk now.

I have seen a very interesting paper trail that based on my observations, appear to show that the new deeds with “corrections” were issued years ago for several properties. The problem is complicated because there is no evidence I can see that the property claimed in these new deeds was ever purchased from the town (or anyone else). It appears to simply be a request to correct a deed.?.?.? Let’s hope the detailed investigation the town conducts will further explain these documents to us.

These documents go back to the original plans of subdivision. They include all kinds of truly intriguing information. The town is mentioned in many of the documents. These documents go back to when it was “Flos township”, but now… it is, “Wasaga Beach”.

It appears that the access paths were in fact gifted or sold to “the town” for a dollar to ensure they remain as paths for their intended use.

Recently, one man who I spoke with was threatened with arrest if he and his six year old daughter didn’t move down the beach from the sand at the water’s edge of one of these affected properties.

They moved on.

On their way home, they walked alongside the property that they had been ejected from by the OPP. The little girl was saddened to look over and see that her sand castle had been destroyed. When they got to the road, they noticed the OPP were still keeping an eye on the property ensuring they didn’t step on it.

Wait! What? The longest freshwater beach in the world, but just beware of the sections that could get you arrested simply by being there?

I promise to write more about this in future and include quotes from those directly involved as well as hopefully sharing a VERY interesting collection of documents, surveys and land registry information. (As I am sure the town will also do)

For now… consider this; it may become necessary for residents of Wasaga Beach to mount a legal action insisting the Town fight to reclaim properties or do some legal action to preserve our access to the longest freshwater beach in the world… our home!

Send me a PM if you are interested in being connected with the various people researching this and demanding answers.

Before closing today’s post, I want to add one very important point. All property owners who have been granted these amended deeds are NOT interested in excluding others from the beach. In fact, they enjoy the interaction with beach goers regularly and even do their part to help keep things clean. Wasaga Beach is FULL of wonderful people!

There are only a few who yell profanities at people as they walk the beach. Hopefully the town steps in to stop this unacceptable, unstable behaviour.