Woodbine, Cherry beaches to see ban on motorized watercrafts this summer

By ALAN SHACKLETON

Motorized watercraft will be banned within 150 metres of both Woodbine and Cherry beaches this summer.

Toronto Council made the decision at its April 22 meeting.

The motion as first presented to council only called for a ban on the motorized watercraft off Woodbine Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach on the islands and Humber Bay Shores in Etobicoke.However, a motion by Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher to include Cherry Beach and the Outer Harbour on the west side of the Leslie Street Spit in this summer’s ban as part of the Toronto Personal Watercraft Safety Plan was also approved by council.

Personal watercraft (jet skis) and the irresponsible use and illegal renting of them around city beaches was the motivation for the plan.

The issue came to the forefront last summer at Woodbine and other city beaches due to numerous incidents of unsafe operations of the jet skis and the proliferation of businesses and individuals renting them out without licences and without permission to be on city property.

While local councillors are pleased the city is taking the safety concerns seriously and implementing the plan for this summer, a number of concerns remain. Among them is who will cover the cost of buoys set up in Lake Ontario off the areas where the motorized watercraft will be banned, and how the Toronto Police Marine Unit will effectively enforce the ban.

“The swimming and non-motorized water-sports users are encouraged by the city’s leadership and the adoption of the PWC (Personal Watercraft) Safety Plan, including Motorized Watercraft Exclusion Zones (MWEZs) at key swimming beaches. Waterfront councillors deserve real credit for listening to the community and acting on what they heard – public input clearly shaped both the direction and the urgency of these measures,” said a spokesperson for Toronto Beaches Open Water Swimmers in a statement sent to Beach Metro Community News.

However, the group said it must be clear that the exclusion zone covers the length of the Eastern Beaches from Ashbridges Bay to the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, including Woodbine, Kew/Balmy and Scarborough beaches. If it does not, the ban will be “ineffective” and “just move the problem eastward” down the beaches, said the group.

The group also stressed the importance of the exclusion zones being clearly marked by buoys in the lake.

“Waterfront organizations have confidence in the (Toronto police) Marine Unit’s commitment and responsiveness. However, enforcement will depend almost entirely on whether those zones are clearly marked. If visible marker buoys are in place, enforcement is realistic. Without them, it will be very difficult in practice…At this point, there is still uncertainty about whether those buoys will be installed in time for the summer,” said the group.

“The immediate priority is resolving the buoy issue – both installation and funding – between the City and the Toronto Port Authority. These markers are essential to making the plan work.”

Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, who successfully pushed for an exclusion zone last July off Woodbine Beach after numerous safety incidents and illegal rental operations, echoed the concerns about the placement of the buoys and their importance.

“Physical buoys are essential so that everyone understands where the line is, and so the Toronto police Marine Unit can enforce the no-go zone,” said Bradford in a statement to Beach Metro Community News.

“The city is asking the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) to fund the purchase and installation of the buoys, but the TPA has not yet agreed to cover the costs. I believe having the buoys installed at Woodbine is non-negotiable, so at Council I moved a motion to direct the City Manager to report back to Council at our next meeting if there is a financial gap to fill. This is a key priority for me, and I’ll use every tool at our disposal to keep the waterfront safe and enjoyable for everyone in our community.”

While the exclusion zone in the waters off the beaches is intended to keep motorized watercraft out of those areas and improve safety for swimmers and the users of non-motorized watercraft, the issue of illegal jet ski rentals taking place on city properties near Lake Ontario is also an ongoing concern.

Last July, an enforcement blitz among a number of city departments including bylaw and parking the police Marine Unit resulted in numerous charges and fines. Bradford said that level of attention from the city towards illegal rental businesses is expected to be the norm for this summer.

“City staff have assured me there is a much stronger enforcement plan for this summer, but I’m looking for results – not promises,” he said.

“We will be watching closely to see if these actions are enough to deter the rental companies, and make changes to the plan if illegal operations continue.”

Bradford also issued a warning to those running illegal watercraft rental businesses on city property. “To these companies thinking of pulling these stunts again, let me be clear: we will be relentless to shut you down and keep Woodbine Beach safe.”