More comments about Kincardine beaches and downtown

To the Editor:
RE: “Reader ashamed of unkempt beaches in Kincardine”

I agree wholeheartedly with Judi Brown.

My husband and I, along with many others, including some children, spent hours on the beach clean-up several weeks ago. All the beach debris was removed as much as possible and put in the back of a truck supplied I think by the municipality.

However, there were so many sticks and branches, we piled them all up at the back of the beach expecting the municipality to clear them away. 

I even called the recreation department which had no idea that the clean-up had taken place. I was told that the appropriate person would be told. 

We expected to see the piles of sticks removed but weeks went by and nothing was done.

As Judi said, we are now well into June and this mess is not a good advertisement for the pride the people of Kincardine have for their municipality and beautiful beaches.

Alison and Robert Wyatt
Kincardine
 

---

To the Editor:
RE: “Readers wade in with concerns about poor beaches in Kincardine”

I recognize that there are volunteers who look after most of the gardens along the beach and by the flagpole at the end of Harbour Street. I truly appreciate all of the volunteer efforts and those gardens all look amazing! Thank you all very much. 

It is the beaches along the shoreline and the garden areas by Dunsmoor Park that need attention. It would not take much time for some summer students to weed the garden area in Dunsmoor Park and put in some mulch. That would make a huge difference.

I received a notice at my residence that was hand-delivered by a summer student, regarding termite inspections. Maybe this is something that should be included in the mail-out of the tax invoices. Then, that time could be used by the summer students to help clean up the beaches and garden areas not being taken care of by volunteers.

There are actual trees and larger branches that have washed up on shore that require chainsaws to cut into smaller pieces for easier removal or possibly piled for beach bonfires. Most of the nice drift wood gets removed by those walking along the beach, but the larger and unappealing pieces are still on the beaches.

Judi Brown
Kincardine
 

---

To the Editor:

Just a clarification to correct some misinformation in this discussion.

The blue Muskoka chairs that have been put out in the downtown were paid for by the Kincardine BIA, not the municipality. Same for the new large blue planters and the restoration of the fountain on Harbour Street.

These were all projects of the Kincardine BIA which has the mandate, on behalf of its fee-paying downtown businesses, to maintain and improve the downtown retail district.

In doing this, we have always appreciated the co-operation and collaborative working relationship we have with the municipal public works and parks and recreation departments.

To those readers disappointed with the present condition of planters, I would point out it's been a particularly cold, wet spring and all vegetation appears to be a bit behind (look at our neighbouring farm fields).

A little patience and I’m sure these municipal gardens and planters will be in full, glorious bloom.

Rick Clarke
Lakeside Downtown Kincardine