Left Side of Sydenham Point Park Beach Unsafe for Swimming

We have been advised by the South East Health Unit that the left side of The Point Beach, 4410 Point Road in Sydenham, is unsafe for swimming due to unacceptable levels of E.coli in the water. The right side of the beach near the water plant continues to be well below acceptable thresholds and remains open for swimming.

We are posting signs to advise residents not to enter the water at the left side of the beach near the boat docks. The South East Health Unit is doing daily testing on business days. It is anticipated that the right side of Point beach will remain open for swimming. Day camps and swimming lessons run by the Township will continue next week with adjusted activities. We will communicate status updates with parents. 

There are many factors that can cause high levels of bacteria in water, including heavy rainfall, high winds, warm temperatures, algae, and contamination by wildlife feces. 

We have provided several updates to the public in the past about our geese control measures. Measures include a dedicated full-time staff member on-site to monitor and clean the park daily. They use audible bangers to scare off the geese. This was extremely successful last Summer and resulted in the Beach only being closed for one day. The Township will also use streamers as well as installing away with geese floating beacons that give off a subtle flash at night, and coyote decoys. 

The Township remains vigilant in utilizing all legal and humane geese control measures that are available. Canada Geese are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. Therefore, the Township is limited to humane methods to control geese. The culling of geese is not a permitted measure that can be considered.

During our daily monitoring, we have found evidence of people feeding the geese. We ask the public to help our efforts by not feeding the geese or any wildlife on public property and watch and report any signs of vandalism or theft of decoys and beacons.

The South East Health Unit monitors the water quality at all municipally owned or operated public beaches within Hastings and Prince Edward County, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington, and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District. Monitoring is done from early June until the end of August and includes a visual inspection of beach conditions and testing for bacteria. 

Residents with questions can contact Tim Laprade, Manager of Recreation and Facilities, at 613-376-3027, tlaprade@southfrontenac.net. Residents can also sign up to receive email updates on all beaches monitored by the South East Health Unit on their website. 

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