Young people enjoying the beach.
This young person enjoying the water.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
What a great summer to spend time at the beach. A walk-out sandy shoreline, clean waters, and shady trees to relax under. The Westport Lions Beach is privately owned by the Westport Lions Club and is maintained by volunteers for the enjoyment of the community.
However, the Westport Lions have had problems at the beach this summer. They are solvable problems if the club can get the cooperation of a few of our beach users.
The club has never experienced vandalism and washrooms left in a mess in the last eight years. Both have occurred this season. One toilet was plugged because someone had tried to flush a whole fish down the toilet.
Another problem is some dog owners. Lion volunteers are increasingly harassed when they politely ask dog owners to follow the rules of the beach, namely that dogs must be on a leash and dogs/animals are not to be on the sand and in the water.
It is unsettling when several Lion members pointed out to a former resident of Westport that his dog should be on a leash, he merely shrugged his shoulders and carried on. The Lion grass cutters have witnessed a couple of dog owners that walk their dogs to the beach on a leash, but upon arrival, release their dogs to run free. The Lions Beach property is not a dog park.
One reason why the Westport Lions Club do not want dogs and horses in the water is that they could add to the bacterial count of the water. The club acknowledges that there are other reasons, but it would be a shame to have to close the beach because of the high bacteria count. The club wants to do everything possible to keep the beach open. The beach is tested weekly and last Friday a sign was posted at the beach that read:
UNSAFE FOR BATHING HIGH LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN THESE WATERS MAY POSE A RISK TO YOUR HEALTH
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District
HEALTH UNIT
Your Partner in Public Health
However, on the health unit’s website, it stated the beach had acceptable levels of bacteria. A call was placed to the Health Unit and the writer was told that the website was accurate and that the Health Unit would investigate the sign.
Another reason for not having animals in the water is a young child may be hurt or frightened by some dogs while swimming.
On a positive note, the volunteers have reported only a couple of times that they had to remove dog pooh from the grounds. The club thanks users that clean up after their pets and take their garbage home with them.
It might be helpful to review the beach rules. The beach rules are:
- Pets must be on a leash
- No animals should be in the water or on the sand
- Clean up after your pets
- No open fires
- No camping
- Boat trailers are not to be parked on Lion’s property
- Take your garbage with you
- Please keep the beach area clean
- Premises are to be vacated at dusk
- The beach is unsupervised and used at your own risk
- Parents are responsible for their children
It should be stressed that only a few people do not adhere to the rules, but those few do frustrate volunteers.
Westport Lions Club 