Life’s a beach

Report suggests to charge visitors, give free access to residents

Wellington’s crown jewel is back in the spotlight. Last year’s summer season at Wellington Beach caused issues for some Wellington residents as beach-goers trespassed across private property, took dangerous risks to swim to the beach from Wellington Park or the United Church seawall, and many caused traffic snarls as beach-goers unloaded their vehicles or waited for access. Staff reported significant challenges trying to manage traffic flow and visitor expectations. At last Thursday’s Committee of the Whole, council passed a staff report on improved safety and management strategies for Wellington Beach. Staff are recommending that Wellington Beach be free for resident use, but in order to offset costs, visitors are to be charged a $10 per person entry fee, with no in and out privileges. The beach gate will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-May to mid-September on Saturdays, Sundays and on statutory holidays. Staff are also recommending that the Belleville Street boat launch be closed, and the Wellington Beach boat launch operate with reduced hours on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with the ramp unavailable for launch from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that the bulk water hauling station be temporarily relocated to the Wellington and District Community Centre, at a cost of $15,000. This would allow uninterrupted access to bulk water, but improve the safety and usability of the beach while also preventing excessive noise for residents.

Earlier this year, the County conducted an online survey to better understand who uses Wellington Beach and how residents wish to fund additional measures to control visitor volumes. More than 1,000 responses were received, with more than 60 per cent being from non-Wellington residents. A slim majority of respondents support providing access to residents and visitors, with visitors paying a fee and residents accessing the beach for free, while a significant number of respondents preferred beach access be free for resident use and only available to residents.

Director of Community Development & Strategic Initiatives Todd Davis told council that the season will start with keeping 50 per cent of the 350 available spaces at the beach for residents. “In order to earn the revenues required we need to try and allow 50 per cent of those visitors to the beach to be guests to the County,” said Davis.

Councillor Janice Maynard thought that giving County residents free and unlimited access would be more fair than turning the beach into one that allows residents only. “If the beach is somewhat more regulated, then you might see the return of the residents that have been scared away in the last few years,” she said. Maynard then asked how many trailers would be allowed to park in the boat launch area on a day to day basis. “Does that still allow for some public non-launch related parking or use in the lower area where there is actually some shade?” asked Maynard.

Davis explained that even though an exact target had not yet been set, it was staff’s intention to keep the launch open Monday to Friday and allow for vehicles and trailers to be parked after the boats are launched. “On weekends we would see probably more people interested in fishing activities that would come prior to the 8 a.m. period, and then there wouldn’t be anybody coming with a truck and trailer after that time frame. It’s on top of mind that we keep space not for just boats and trailers to park. It is a park so we want to ensure it is being well used by all different user groups,” said Davis.

Councillor Jamie Forrester had large concerns about how the County will ultimately be able to manage this plan. “I can just see it out there now. We will have the beach police as you are coming in asking ‘can I see your ID?’ I don’t know how you even come close to managing this in a proactive way. And I think the thought of doing it is just silly on our behalf. I think it will be forever a problem for you and you will be kicking yourself in the ass,” said Forrester. “When I look at the beach, water is something we’ve always valued. That people have access to water. I don’t think it should be for Wellington residents. I don’t think it should be for Picton residents. I would like to see a perfect world that everyone gets down there and enjoys the beach.”

Davis agreed that it would likely be a challenging summer, but that staff had taken comments from a January 28 meeting, and spent extra time trying to find an operating model that would work. “I think our intention is to try and bring down the simmering point of challenge that County staff had to deal with last year,” said Davis. “We are not going to be checking to make sure that every single member of a party is a resident of Prince Edward County. We are going to have to allow the residents themselves to identify if they are bringing a group of six in, and four are County residents and two are not, we are going to count them all as County people as long as they are with a County resident,” he explained.

Councillor Ernie Margetson asked if staff had considered charging a vehicle premium for those who drive in, and whether the County had made any headway locating an alternate West Lake boat launch that could be put in place by the summer.

Davis noted that last year a $20 flat rate was charged per car, and it was recognized that once the parking lot is full, it doesn’t mean that the beach is full. “If we charge a per person entry fee as opposed to a vehicle entry fee, we would get a better sense as to the numbers and capping that limit at 350 people,” he said. Davis also noted that the County is working towards securing a new boat launch, but that he can’t guarantee it will be done for the upcoming season. “We are in pursuit of a boat launch. There is a private operator that is operating a boat launch with maybe an opportunity for more capacity,” he said. Davis told council that the County was also looking to possibly lease land to create a boat launch, but that would mean a long list of things that need to be done to make it viable.

Mayor Steve Ferguson asked how the plan would be administered on site. “Is someone going to show up and have $10 in their hand, or will we be preselling?” he asked. Ferguson also noted that with no in-and-out privileges, there would need to be water and food offered at the beach.

Davis explained that to keep it as simple as possible, it would be a first come first serve paid entry. “We had hoped to develop a system that would allow for a presale versus on the day purchases. We looked at a lot of different methods to make that work and what we came to realize is that we don’t have enough runway, and its too much capital investment,” said Davis, who also noted that having a beverage and food amenity available is important. “We will bring something back that allows us to have that type of amenity on the beach that provides the services that people are going to be looking for. The goal is to have an operator for the 2021 season, either through a food truck, or beverage vehicle,” he said.

Councillor Mike Harper believed the plan was good for everyone. “I think it looks after fishermen, in the sense of they are early morning risers. The leisure boaters are more late morning heading out. It is all about sharing really. Perhaps they will have to do an early morning run, or do an evening run, or frankly schedule some holidays through the week.” County staff will bring a by-law updating fees and charges related to the beach to a future council meeting.