17 reasons to hit the beach before summer is over (Kingston)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
17 reasons to hit the beach before summer is over
17 of Kingston’s 18 beaches have a perfect swimming record this season. Here are the top 3, and the ones you must watch out for.
Kingston, Ontario (August 30, 2011) - Long weekend is fast approaching and back-to-school is creeping up. You have one last shot at summer. Spend it on some of Canada’s best beaches, right here in Kingston.
Kingston’s beaches were some of the best in Canada this year. You need to get out on the water to celebrate Canada’s best before summer ends.
Here’s where you want to be this long weekend, and why:
1. Richardson’s Beach - open 100% of the summer
Sometimes known as MacDonald's Beach, this is a rocky beach near the heart of Kingston.
In 2008, a group of professors, students, residents, and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper held a mass swim here to rally support for a revitalized public swimming area in downtown Kingston. This event was a catalyst in the push for more and better beach access on Lake Ontario!
2. Big Sandy Bay - open 100% of the summer
Big Sandy Bay is one of the great beaches of Lake Ontario. Located on Wolfe Island, it is a ferry ride away from Kingston or Cape Vincent.
The Bay is part of an environmentally significant dune and wetland complex. It is only open to the general public for swimming June - September. Visitors coming to the island from Kingston are strongly encouraged to leave their cars on the mainland and bike to the beach from the ferry terminal.
To get to the Bay, take Highway 95 to Reed's Bay Road to 3rd Line Road. Park in the lot or lock your bikes at the gatehouse. The 1.3-kilometre nature trail takes you to the beach.
“Big Sandy Bay on Wolfe Island is Lake Ontario's greatest swimming beach, bar none. It is safe, clean, fun and an adventure to find,” says Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Mark Mattson.
3. Lake Ontario Park
Lake Ontario Park is one of Kingston's largest waterfront spaces. The City is currently going through a major re-envisioning process and the area is likely to change dramatically in the next generation. Public surveys found that a beach will be one of the most important features to be revitalized at Lake Ontario Park.
“Swimming on Kingston's waterfront connects you with an activity Kingstonian's have enjoyed since the City was founded over 338 years ago and reminds you of the reason Lake Ontario is a Great Lake and Kingston is a great City,” says Mattson.
It’s not all perfect in Kingston. Kingston Rotary has been posted unsafe for swimming 67% of the summer. Historically, this beach has not been safe to swim at due to poor water quality. Also, be wary of the seven beaches that are no longer monitored. Though historically many of these beaches have had good water quality, lack of data for 2011 means you cannot tell if it’s safe to swim.
The most important question you’ll need to answer before you hit the beach: “Is it safe to swim?”
Swim Guide has helped tens of thousands of people make beach memories this year alone by answering that very question. Download the app from www.theswimguide.org now to make your memories this weekend at Canada’s best beaches.
Did your beach pass?
Arrowhead Beach Park
100%
Back Beach - Amherst Island
100%
Bath Filtration Plant
100%
Big Sandy Bay - Wolfe Island
100%
Brooks Ferry Landing
100%
Collingwood PUC
100%
Davidsons Beach
100%
Desert Lake
100%
Fairfield Park
100%
Floating Bridge
100%
Gilmore Beach
100%
Grass Creek Park
100%
Lake Ontario Park
100%
Point Pleasant- Everett
100%
Reddendale Crerar
100%
Richardson's Beach
100%
Sydenham Lake
100%
Kingston Rotary
33%
Adolphustown Park
Not monitored
Alwington
Not monitored
Cartwright Beach East
Not monitored
Collins Bay Pier
Not monitored
Du Pont Invista
Not monitored
Lake Ontario Hospital
Not monitored
Lemoines Point
Not monitored
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Media Inquiries:
Allie Kosela, Outreach Coordinator, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
allie@waterkeeper.ca
416-861-1237