by LAKE ONTARIO PARK
Waterfront Toronto has engaged stakeholders, including the Outer Harbour Sailing Federation, in a series of meetings and consultations over the last several years. From the beginning of these discussions Waterfront Toronto made it clear that they wanted our member clubs to remain within the boundaries of the proposed park. At the same time, they want to make as much of the waterfront available for all the citizens of Toronto. So there arose naturally the question of how best to situate the sailing, rowing and windsurfing clubs in the park balancing between the needs of the citizens who want to row, windsurf and sail and others.
Throughout these discussions our view has been that the right of citizens to have access to the water in the park includes the right, not just to walk along the shore, but to get out on the water, in boats and windsurfs. To do this, facilities directly on the water are needed to make possible the launching and recovery of boats and, for safety reasons, access to these must be somewhat restricted. One cannot for example, have children swimming near the boat docks.
Our view is that the OHSF clubs are the ideal way for citizens to realize the right of access to very inexpensive boating on the waters of the park, especially when compared to private clubs and boat rentals.. Our clubs are open access; there are no membership committees or social restrictions, as is the case in some of the elite boating clubs. We are open to all citizens who want to be on the water and are willing to take one of our courses to learn the essential skills and safety rules of boating (or can demonstrate this knowledge).
After several years of discussions and negotiations our feeling is that this view has been accepted by Waterfront Toronto. A compromise has been reached, which is reflected in the language of the Lake Ontario Park Master Plan, which addresses our most important concerns, and will allow us to remain in or near our present positions, with direct access to the water and ownership and control of the docks and ramps and the areas around them. It is possible that we may be sharing access to the waterfront with the general public during the winter when no boats are being sailed, but the compromise recognizes that issues of safety require that we control access to our docks and ramps during sailing season. In addition, the master plan contemplates that our clubs will remain the main venue for teaching sailing, rowing and windsurfing on the waters of the outer harbour.
We look forward to working with Waterfront Toronto and the city to expand our memberships as well as our educational programs including programs for children, youths and disabled sailors. We believe that the park, when built will bring many more citizens to the water and make them aware of the tremendous fun that can be had in taking little boats on the water. We look forward to continuing to provide a venue for all citizens of Toronto to learn to row, sail and windsurf on beautiful Lake Ontario.
Read more about the plans for the park and the public realm along the 37 kilometers of Lake Ontario shoreline. Waterfront Toronto’s monthly newsletter is a good source for information on the development process and upcoming meetings:
Lake Ontario Park Master Plan Pt 1