Visitors flock to falls

Spring rains add to waterfalls’ majesty

It’s a fairly long path down the escarpment at Cape Vesey on Husayn and Anne Banani’s property to get to the base of the waterfall, which is hidden from view until near the very end. At that point, the reaction of visitors is almost identical— they practically stop in their tracks and utter words such as “Wow!” or “Awesome!”. A cascade of water plunges vertically almost 20 metres and then rushes along a rock-filled slope to a placid marsh on the marge of Lake Ontario. The recent spring rains meant the flow was much stronger than in years past, and in fact was spilling onto the pathway as it meandered towards the falls. Those who came with ill-considered footwear were forced to stay well back, and there was more than one youngster whose low-cut wellingtons filled up with water after an errant step.

The middle of the stream provided an unobstructed view of Jackson Falls, with dozens of visitors standing on dry ground off to the side.

The falls at Cape Vesey was one of two on the Picton Rotary Club’s traditional Easter weekend waterfall tour. The second falls, located on Brenda MacKneson and John Lawes’s property at Jackson Falls, was equally spectacular. These falls are somewhat lower, but no less majestic, with a pleasing curved edifice and a clear pool at the base. The waterfall tour was started more than a decade ago by Rotarians Marion and Jim Hughes as a way to raise funds for local and international clean-water projects. They approached the properties’ owners and asked if they would permit public access on the Easter weekend.

They all agreed wholeheartedly. “When Rotary asks you for a favour, you have to say yes,” said Lawes. Over the years, attendance has steadily risen, reaching record levels last year with a weekend of perfect weather. Attendance was lower this past weekend, especially on Saturday, but improved considerably on Sunday. Quite often there would be dozens of people admiring the falls—or taking selfies— and serious photographers waiting for an unobstructed view had to be patient.

Past Rotary clean-water projects have included a sanitary system for schools in Mumbai, India, a water filtration project in Mexico, and a sustainable water project in Uganda. Last year, the funds went to provide equipment in shelter boxes. “These shelter boxes go to disaster areas and we pay for the water filtration kits that go inside,” said Picton Rotary president Brenda Hellyer. Funds raised during this waterfall tour weekend will go to a project that the club will choose later in 2019. In addition to supporting international projects, the Rotary Club is a strong supporter of local causes. It has donated $5,000 to the Picton Library for the new building, and has donated $7,000 to Reaching for Rainbows. The club also has a fund to support families in medical emergencies, and will also reach out to individuals in need. “Sometimes circumstances are overwhelming, and they can apply for extra help and we grant them that money,” said Hellyer.