Today was the big site meeting down at Martindale Pond on Henley Island about the access problems. As it turns out the rowing corporation does want to work together and everyone seems to have come to a great compromise in principle. There are some details to be ironed out and everything will not be in place this year, but hopefully by spring things will be all worked out.
There was representation for the city there in the way of two councillors and parks management as well as representation from the rowing corporation and various recreational groups. The corporation has suggested that they give us an area more south east of where we have been launching. This would mean that a new fence has to be built further down the island, some grading would have to be done, and a small dock put in. It sounds as though the corporation has a dock that they would be willing to contribute, and the city is going to try and support by building the fence and doing the grading.
The first step will be figuring out the expense of it all, and figuring out if the city needs to budget the expense or if it is something that can be done relatively low cost without having to go to committee.
The corporation also wants to develop more of a relationship with the recreational users and would like to see an official organization representing us at the table.
There is a lot of work to be done moving forward, but there is good positive progress being made. Of course all these proposal are tentative and need to get passed by the corporations board and city council, but everyone there seemed to be in full support. This is a great day for everyone involved!
We may also be looking to do some fundraising to ensure that this can get built, so keep your ear to the ground.
A launch point for recreational users of Martindale Pond in St.Catharines, Ontario
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Know Your Rights. Harassment of fishermen is illegal!
Picked this up off a post in a local fishing forum. Seems like it would apply to our paddlers that like to fish. And with all the politics on the pond lately I thought I would post it here. Know your rights!
It has recently been brought to my
attention that on some waterways in Niagara fishermen are being
harassed. What we need to know as fishermen is that if you are
legally fishing, then no
one has the right to interfere with you.
By
legally fishing there are some criteria that you will need to meet:
- Have your fishing lisence on you, and be sure it is appropriate for the fish that you are targeting.
- Make sure you are not trespassing and that you are on a public waterway, or have proper permission to be on the waterway if it is private.
- Make sure you are following the regulations. (Having regulations and knowing them do you no good if you are not following them)
Provided
you meet the criteria, then there is something you should, know and
it is part of a little piece of legislation called the Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. In
the act you will find the following section:
13. (1) A person shall not
interfere with lawful hunting, trapping or fishing by,
(a) tampering with traps, nets,
bait, firearms or any other thing used for hunting, trapping or
fishing;
(b) placing himself or herself in a
position, for the purpose of interfering, that hinders or prevents
hunting, trapping or fishing; or
(c) engaging in an activity, for the
purpose of interfering, that disturbs or is likely to disturb
wildlife or fish.
If you are doing
your part and following the regulations and someone is harassing you,
then you need to inform them that they are in contravention of the
Fish and Wildlife Conservation act section 13(1). If they fail to
respond and continue to harass you then you have the right to contact
the Ministry of Natural Resources and ask for them to enforce this
section of the act.
Hint: If you are like a large
portion of the population you may have a smart phone, in which case
you would most likely have the ability to record the conversation or
even make video of it if you think that you may need proof of the
interaction. Of course you should never show agression and put
yourself or anyone else at risk. Another thing to consider is that
even if someone else is breaking the law by harassing you, it doesn't
give you the right to break any laws in retaliation. Always be
respectflul. Be firm, inform them of the contravention and go about
your business. Never let things escalate. If anyone threatens you,
then they are also breaking criminal legislation which would mean
that you need to report to the MNR and the police.With any sign of
agression you should remove yourself from the situation and report it
immediately!
Niagara Regional
Police 905-688-4111
MNR Toll free:
1-800-667-1940 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
Below are some
links with information:
Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Act
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97f41_e.htm#BK15
MNR
contact
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/index.html?CSB_ic-name=topMenu&CSB_ic-info=contact-us_Eng
Ontario Federation of Anglers and
Hunters article
http://www.ofah.org/news/Enforcement-key-to-addressing-harassment-of-anglers-and-hunters
In summary, I would suggest the we all
have section 13(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act printed
out and stored with us in our tackle boxes. This way we can educate
people when they harass us. But again, never let yourself be in a
volatile situation, it's just not worth it. If you sense any sort of
danger leave and report immediately!
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Your opinion counts!
For anyone that is not familiar with what is currently taking place on Martindale pond you can find more information here:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/01/boaters-rowers-ask-whose-water-is-it
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/13/water-groups-on-rocky-ground
Everyone involved thus far want a peaceful resolution that will work for all parties. This of course may involve some compromise. One thing that can be done to help the cause is to email your councillor and the mayor to let them know where you stand. For anyone that doesn't know how to get in touch with their city council via email we are giving you the information below. For everyone that is already involved, thank you very much. For those that are not but want to be, start by sending an email and voicing your views.
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/01/boaters-rowers-ask-whose-water-is-it
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2012/08/13/water-groups-on-rocky-ground
Everyone involved thus far want a peaceful resolution that will work for all parties. This of course may involve some compromise. One thing that can be done to help the cause is to email your councillor and the mayor to let them know where you stand. For anyone that doesn't know how to get in touch with their city council via email we are giving you the information below. For everyone that is already involved, thank you very much. For those that are not but want to be, start by sending an email and voicing your views.
St. Catharines Council Email addresses
Brian McMullen – Mayor
905-688-5601 x1540
Jeff Burch – Merriton Ward 1
905-327-5153
Dawn Dodge – Grantham Ward 5
905-327-9704
Mark Elliott – St.Patrick's Ward 4
905-327-1763
Matthew Harris – St.Andrew's Ward 2
905-329-6802
Joseph Kushner – St.Andrew's Ward 2
905-685-1817
Bill Phillips – Grantham Ward 5
905-327-5363
Peter Secord – St.Georges Ward 3
905-327-9854
Mathew Siscoe – St.Patrick's Ward 4
905-329-8162
Len Stack – Port Dalhousie Ward 6
905-327-5235
Jennifer Stevens – Merritton Ward 1
905-328-6722
Greg Washuta – St.Georges Ward 3
905-327-9905
Bruce Williamson – Port Dalhousie
Ward 6
905-327-9754
Working Together
I went out for a paddle on the pond yesterday and spent a fair bit longer on the water then I had planned on. It is always hard to drag yourself away from this waterway as it has much to offer.
As usual I encountered many people down around the island, including a number of rowers. I've always seen the rowing shells as being somewhat majestic, especially when they are moving on the water. To me it almost sounds like a zipper as they move along the water, it is definitely a distinctive sound that is hard to miss. There isn't much that compares with a quiet morning in the water of the back bays witnessing the rowing shells in the practice lane gliding by.
I'm certain that as with most things in life, a few bad apples spoil the bunch. With recent turmoil surrounding the launching of recreational water craft from the island, I'd like to believe the actions of a few do not reflect the sentiment of the majority. This of course pertains to both sides. I know for fact that any of the very small amount of users that do pose interruption or risk with the rowers do not represent the majority of recreational users (RU). Everyone that I talk to amongst the RU's agrees that any sort of action that would interrupt the rowing or pose any sort of risk is absolutely deplorable. None of us would support this sort of action and all of us would be very happy to inform any reckless users of the waterway on proper etiquette pertaining to the rowing course and waterway use in general.
Now of course I would like to think that the rowing community feels the same way about the RU's on the water. I have very little to support the previous statement, but I do know that the human condition is the same in most of us. My thoughts at this point are just that, my thoughts and opinion, so be careful not to put too much weight on it. I do however imagine that the majority of the rowing community does not take issue with RU community.
So then why such difficulty coming to a resolve on this issue? Well I guess that would be the million dollar question. I do know that there are several very good resolutions to this problem, the simplest of which would be to just remove the rocks that were placed in the traditional launching area. I truly believe that working together is the key here. The waters of Martindale Pond would definitely be a better place for all the communities involved if we all worked together. The old saying about luring more flies with honey than vinegar holds true here.
Could you imagine a world where the rowers and the RU's shared the island and worked together to promote and educate? I certainly could.
Here's my little daydream. I could see the RU's not only launching from that minuscule slice of real estate that we traditional do, but sharing bigger pieces of the island and having a small dock near better parking. I could see us not just being an outsider there, but being a part of the club, using the facilities and participating in many ways.
The club has a great opportunity here to draw on the resources of hundreds of people. Now of course it would be mayhem having hundreds of people on the water at once, and I doubt that would happen. But the users that would use the waterway given decent opportunity would be far reaching I am sure. With the use of good parking, washroom facilities, a place to purchase lunch, maybe a small tackle shop, the extra revenue for the club would be substantial.
It really isn't that hard to figure out. If the club were working with the RU's then they would have more opportunity to steer RU activity on the pond. If we were part of the club, they could educate us on how the rowing works, what to watch and listen for. They would also be able to help us recognize the areas to steer clear of at the appropriate times. There would be great opportunities for the club to generate revenue with fishing tournaments that they could organize for the rowing off season. Instead of making the island exclusively about rowing, the club could make it about waterway recreation of all sorts. Of course there would be a lot of work involved and that would take take away from the rowing, but there are plenty of people waiting in the wings that would jump in to take on the work.
I am certain that it would not be hard for the club to entice local business to set up shop there. Could you imagine a small store on the island? Maybe canoe and kayak rental? Again, it would all have to coincide with the primary role of rowing, but it is totally doable.
With the pond and 12 mile creek, I believe that the City of St.Catharines and the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation are really missing out on a great opportunity here. There is a vast amount of revenue drifting in the current. If they want it all they have to do is open up to the idea of working together.
As usual I encountered many people down around the island, including a number of rowers. I've always seen the rowing shells as being somewhat majestic, especially when they are moving on the water. To me it almost sounds like a zipper as they move along the water, it is definitely a distinctive sound that is hard to miss. There isn't much that compares with a quiet morning in the water of the back bays witnessing the rowing shells in the practice lane gliding by.
I'm certain that as with most things in life, a few bad apples spoil the bunch. With recent turmoil surrounding the launching of recreational water craft from the island, I'd like to believe the actions of a few do not reflect the sentiment of the majority. This of course pertains to both sides. I know for fact that any of the very small amount of users that do pose interruption or risk with the rowers do not represent the majority of recreational users (RU). Everyone that I talk to amongst the RU's agrees that any sort of action that would interrupt the rowing or pose any sort of risk is absolutely deplorable. None of us would support this sort of action and all of us would be very happy to inform any reckless users of the waterway on proper etiquette pertaining to the rowing course and waterway use in general.
Now of course I would like to think that the rowing community feels the same way about the RU's on the water. I have very little to support the previous statement, but I do know that the human condition is the same in most of us. My thoughts at this point are just that, my thoughts and opinion, so be careful not to put too much weight on it. I do however imagine that the majority of the rowing community does not take issue with RU community.
So then why such difficulty coming to a resolve on this issue? Well I guess that would be the million dollar question. I do know that there are several very good resolutions to this problem, the simplest of which would be to just remove the rocks that were placed in the traditional launching area. I truly believe that working together is the key here. The waters of Martindale Pond would definitely be a better place for all the communities involved if we all worked together. The old saying about luring more flies with honey than vinegar holds true here.
Could you imagine a world where the rowers and the RU's shared the island and worked together to promote and educate? I certainly could.
Here's my little daydream. I could see the RU's not only launching from that minuscule slice of real estate that we traditional do, but sharing bigger pieces of the island and having a small dock near better parking. I could see us not just being an outsider there, but being a part of the club, using the facilities and participating in many ways.
The club has a great opportunity here to draw on the resources of hundreds of people. Now of course it would be mayhem having hundreds of people on the water at once, and I doubt that would happen. But the users that would use the waterway given decent opportunity would be far reaching I am sure. With the use of good parking, washroom facilities, a place to purchase lunch, maybe a small tackle shop, the extra revenue for the club would be substantial.
It really isn't that hard to figure out. If the club were working with the RU's then they would have more opportunity to steer RU activity on the pond. If we were part of the club, they could educate us on how the rowing works, what to watch and listen for. They would also be able to help us recognize the areas to steer clear of at the appropriate times. There would be great opportunities for the club to generate revenue with fishing tournaments that they could organize for the rowing off season. Instead of making the island exclusively about rowing, the club could make it about waterway recreation of all sorts. Of course there would be a lot of work involved and that would take take away from the rowing, but there are plenty of people waiting in the wings that would jump in to take on the work.
I am certain that it would not be hard for the club to entice local business to set up shop there. Could you imagine a small store on the island? Maybe canoe and kayak rental? Again, it would all have to coincide with the primary role of rowing, but it is totally doable.
With the pond and 12 mile creek, I believe that the City of St.Catharines and the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation are really missing out on a great opportunity here. There is a vast amount of revenue drifting in the current. If they want it all they have to do is open up to the idea of working together.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Respect
Anyone that keeps their ear to the ground in the community or keeps their eyes on the media knows that there has been some contention lately surrounding Martindale Pond. More accurately it surrounds the frequently used access to the pond from Henley Island as described in a St.Catharines Standard article found here and an update found here.
Some would think that this is all much to do about nothing, and in some circles they would be right. But in the right circles they would be wrong. There is much buzz about who owns the island, where leases extend to and on and on. The thing is this, the recreational paddling community has been using this waterway since long before the days of the rowing club and all their competitions. Yes, they are a part of the community and yes they are valued. The vast majority of the recreational paddlers have tremendous respect for the rowers, corporation and the regattas, I know I do. And I'm sure that there is a very large part of the rowing community that reciprocate the sentiment for the recreational users.
To me what it boils down to is that we all have the same right to use this waterway, and respect. What we are lacking is respect towards each other. Now that is not to say there is total disrespect and that every recreational user disrespects every rower and vice versa. What it means is that all it takes is one bad apple. If one, or two in this case, kayakers cross the course during a regatta (whether there is a race on or not) then it is seen as all recreational users having total disrespect for the rowers and they get their backs up. The same goes for the paddling community, one coach with a megaphone screeching about a kayak in the water and the recreational community is up in arms. Should we disregard either of these scenarios? Absolutely not. Should we see them as the barometer by which we gauge an entire community? I don't think so.
At this point I think it would be wise to take the high road and this is where I am going to start just talking about the recreational community. We should still be using the pond and we should still be accessing where we always have, and for some that may be areas other than the island. But no matter where you access from, be respectful. Don't leave your garbage and go a step further, if you see some, pick it up. Use caution and be respectful of any events going on in the water. I've never rowed, but I could imagine that at high speeds it is not that easy for the rowers to make evasive manoeuvres, so give them space. Let's even go a step further and say lets yield to the rowers. Beyond that if you are out in the water and see other recreational users being disrespectful to anyone, any group, any property owner, stop and have a conversation with them and pass along the word about respect.
Where ever this whole business about access goes I do know that it will not go in the recreational users favour if we are disrespectful. Let's pay it forward with respect for everyone on the water and by being good environmental stewards by cleaning up after ourselves.
Now, what about the rocks? There are some intelligent people working on that, so lets just let them. You know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen. Whether the rocks get moved or not this has all started a new era for Martindale pond and moving forward we need to forge out our part of all this as recreational users. By no means should we be stepped on and taken for granted, but two wrongs don't make a right either. They say that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking, and that is just what I propose we do. We should always be doing the right thing whether someone is looking or not.
Some would think that this is all much to do about nothing, and in some circles they would be right. But in the right circles they would be wrong. There is much buzz about who owns the island, where leases extend to and on and on. The thing is this, the recreational paddling community has been using this waterway since long before the days of the rowing club and all their competitions. Yes, they are a part of the community and yes they are valued. The vast majority of the recreational paddlers have tremendous respect for the rowers, corporation and the regattas, I know I do. And I'm sure that there is a very large part of the rowing community that reciprocate the sentiment for the recreational users.
To me what it boils down to is that we all have the same right to use this waterway, and respect. What we are lacking is respect towards each other. Now that is not to say there is total disrespect and that every recreational user disrespects every rower and vice versa. What it means is that all it takes is one bad apple. If one, or two in this case, kayakers cross the course during a regatta (whether there is a race on or not) then it is seen as all recreational users having total disrespect for the rowers and they get their backs up. The same goes for the paddling community, one coach with a megaphone screeching about a kayak in the water and the recreational community is up in arms. Should we disregard either of these scenarios? Absolutely not. Should we see them as the barometer by which we gauge an entire community? I don't think so.
At this point I think it would be wise to take the high road and this is where I am going to start just talking about the recreational community. We should still be using the pond and we should still be accessing where we always have, and for some that may be areas other than the island. But no matter where you access from, be respectful. Don't leave your garbage and go a step further, if you see some, pick it up. Use caution and be respectful of any events going on in the water. I've never rowed, but I could imagine that at high speeds it is not that easy for the rowers to make evasive manoeuvres, so give them space. Let's even go a step further and say lets yield to the rowers. Beyond that if you are out in the water and see other recreational users being disrespectful to anyone, any group, any property owner, stop and have a conversation with them and pass along the word about respect.
Where ever this whole business about access goes I do know that it will not go in the recreational users favour if we are disrespectful. Let's pay it forward with respect for everyone on the water and by being good environmental stewards by cleaning up after ourselves.
Now, what about the rocks? There are some intelligent people working on that, so lets just let them. You know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen. Whether the rocks get moved or not this has all started a new era for Martindale pond and moving forward we need to forge out our part of all this as recreational users. By no means should we be stepped on and taken for granted, but two wrongs don't make a right either. They say that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking, and that is just what I propose we do. We should always be doing the right thing whether someone is looking or not.
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