City of Kingston re-opening some municipal boat launches
Beginning today, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, The City of Kingston will be reopening some of the municipal boat launches throughout the area.
While the boat launches at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Marina will remain closed to the public due to provincial emergency orders, the following boat launches are being reopened:
- Collins Bay boat launch (4086 Bath Road)
- Grass Creek Park (2991 Highway 2)
- Lake Ontario Park (920 King Street West)
- West Street boat launch (1 Ontario Street)
- Cataraqui Street boat launch (at Emma Martin Park and the Woolen Mill)
Although the boat launches are re-opening, COVID-19 precautions and emergency orders remain in place. As such, signage is in place at the boat launches reminding residents to practice physical distancing (remaining two metres or six feet apart from others) at all times while loading/unloading boats, and while on the waterways. Fishing remains open in Ontario, and the City requests residents follow all fishing rules and regulations as set out in the Ontario Fishing Regulations. The City is also reminding residents that, while City parks and specific amenities like boat launches are open, other amenities remain closed under the provincial emergency orders. Those closed amenities include playground equipment, benches, washrooms, and picnic tables.
At this time, municipal marinas remain closed. Preparation work is underway at Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas using staff from other recreation facilities that are currently closed, so members of the public might notice City Staff working along the waterfront. According to the City, the work being done is maintenance, but it will also help prepare for the potential re-opening of marinas to boaters should the provincial emergency orders be amended to allow for the operation of marinas, along with measures put in place in coordination with KFL&A Public Health. Safety precautions, including physical distancing, are being employed in all of this maintenance and preparation work, the City said in a press release on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.
Decision regarding the opening of marinas will adhere to Ontario’s Framework for Reopening and provincial emergency orders, according to the City.