The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, January 28, 2022 Vol. 22
No. 4
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE
Skate Away
Skate trail, outdoor rinks open PAGE 6
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Rock climbing traffic exposes impact on rare cliffs by Trina Berlo An increase in rock climbing activity on ministry lands at Devil’s Glen is intensifying concerns for area residents and the ecological health of the rock face. In November, Clearview council was alerted to a road hazard being experienced by local farmers who were having difficulty navigating a road narrowed by cars parked on both sides of Concession 10 with wide farm machinery. Farmer Eric Millar documented times when he could barely get through to County Road 124 with his combine and other farm equipment, and asked council to consider prohibiting parking on one side of the road. Councillor Doug McKechnie brought forward a motion and as a result staff were directed to explore ways to encourage drivers to park on one side of Concession 10 in the area immediately north of County Road 124, or create more parking spaces to keep cars off the paved surface, and to bring a report to council prior to the summer of 2022. Parking is so common in that area that road crews have had to repair the shoulder several times per year, said Clearview’s deputy director of public works Dan Perreault. The road shoulders are preferred
Ontario Alliance of Climbers Facebook photo @jessicaarwenbest
parking for rock climbers accessing the area. Members of the Ontario Alliance of Climbers have been advised to park there and continue north on County Road 124 on foot where they cross the road and cut in through ministry land. The foot traffic is enough to warrant a pedestrian crossing on the county road. Rock climbers are accessing areas on two separate parcels of land. One is owned and managed by Ontario Parks and the other is on 20 hectares of crown land to the west of the park, known as the Reinhold property, which is owned and managed by the The Ministry of
Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF). Neither NDMNRF or Ontario Parks staff would agree to an interview but did consent to answer questions by e-mail. NDMNRF staff said they are aware of the concerns of overuse at both the Reinhold property and in Devil’s Glen Provincial Park. The Reinhold property is currently designated as a General Use Area and rock climbing is a permitted use. Park superintendent John Fisher said due to the current zoning and classification of Devil’s Glen Provincial Park, rock climbing is not expressly prohibited, though it is not promoted by Ontario Parks. “Rock climbing is an activity that has occurred for decades in many areas of the Niagara Escarpment. When an activity predates the regulation of a provincial park as is the case at Devil’s Glen, it is considered to be a pre-existing non-conforming use,” said Fisher. The Ontario Alliance of Climbers (OAC) is a volunteer organization that advocates for legal access to climbing crags throughout the province and classifies climbing at Devil’s Glen to be “tolerated.” “Tolerated is a little grey,” said OAC
co-chair Mike Penney during a 2021 town hall meeting. “Climbing is not formally permitted but it is informally accepted, so tread lightly.” “Know that your actions are being viewed by the land managers on a larger scale and that we’re more or less under the microscope to some degree,” said Penney. “A good example is Lion’s Head or DG [Devil’s Glen] where climbing is not expressly prohibited and there are no authorities that are ticketing or preventing us from climbing, however climbing is not expressly permitted. It’s not within the current land use guidelines. It’s a bit of a grey area.” In that meeting they advise members to park on Concession 10 and not on County Road 124 because “it could raise an eyebrow or two with the city, or the municipality.” In an interview with The Echo, Penney said the area is of interest to climbers because of the beautiful limestone cliff, of which there is very little in Ontario. He said climbing has become more popular as a result of the pandemic, like many outdoor activities, and that the OAC has seen an increase in memberships despite not being able to host events and fundraise, to attract (See “Bolting” on page 4)
Keeping the spirit of Winterama alive in 2022 by Trina Berlo With ongoing restrictions in place, Sunnidale Winterama organizers are doing what they can to keep the spirit alive and are encouraging all Clearview Township residents to join in the activities being offered. The 2022 theme is The Spirit of Winterama and Clearview staff and event volunteers have ensured that there is some fun to be had by facilitating photo submission-based contests. The 47th annual winter carnival was
to be held in New Lowell Feb. 4-6 but, like last year, it has shifted to activities that people can safely do at home and submit entries by e-mail. This year’s contests invite people to build a snow sculpture, enter photos of their beards, and the return of the traditional colouring contest for students in Grades K-2, and a poster contest for students in Grades 3-8. There will be awards for best beard and best Santa beard and prizes for the top three sculptures, Submit entries by Feb. 5.
All details can be found at www. discoverclearview.ca/winterama. Sunnidale Winterama buttons, a popular collector’s item since 1975, are on sale for $2 each and can be ordered by e-mailing sunnidalewinterama@ gmail.com. The New Lowell Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is doing take-out every Friday between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and event organizers are encouraging people to call in their orders to 705-424-1612. The Legion has been the longest-standing event
partner and has hosted many dinners and events in the past as part of Winterama. “I’d like to thank all of our volunteers and our long-standing community supporters for making Winterama a success over the past 47 years,” said Clearview’s community culture and tourism coordinator Amanda Murray. “We can’t wait to have people return in person.” Participants are encouraged to share their entries on social media @ sunnidalewinterama.
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