Once again there are concerns about who gets to use the beach in the community of Balm Beach.
Public access to the beach has been disputed for more than a decade. At one point, a tall wooden fence was built by one property owner to keep the public out, but last year the fence was removed when the property was sold.
However, the dispute is gearing up again as some water front property owners have applied to extend their property lines from the high water mark to the water’s edge under the provinces Boundary Act.
The biggest concerns property owners have is the garbage that is left behind by visitors, including beer bottles, dirty diapers and even drug paraphernalia.
There are signs posted along some parts of the shoreline warning visitors the beach is private property up to the water’s edge.
Wendy Burns enjoys visiting the beach, but says this part of Georgian Bay is not always welcoming
“They (property owners) will come down and ask you to get off the property to the point where they will call the police and the police will remove you from the property,” said Burns.
Southern Georgian Bay OPP say they have been called five times this summer because of trespassing complaints, but no charges have been laid.
Police are urging visitors to avoid confrontations with property owners.
“If they are on private property and the property owner asks them to leave, they have to by law or they could be subject to an arrest or charge,” said Const. Susan Jessop.
The township would not comment on the status of private property, but told CTV News signs are posted at road allowances to show public owned land.
