‘We try very hard to be inclusive’: New boat launch in Angus makes water more accessible

Nottawasaga River | Photo by Marg. Bruineman

From Simcoe.com, May 29, 2022
By Brad Pritchard

Gone are the precarious days of trying to drag a canoe up and down the steep, muddy riverbanks of the Nottawasaga River just to enjoy a simple day on the water.

Essa Township recently opened its new boat launch for canoes and kayaks in Angus, located next to the community park on Huron Street.

“This is amazing,” said Mayor Sandie Macdonald during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held May 18. “This will allow our residents to go out and to be able to be in nature, the way it was meant to be, and they can bring their families down here, too.”

Macdonald explained what prompted council to have staff investigate various locations in the community to install a proper boat launch. “We had people trying to launch boats dangerously,” she said. “They had done it for years, but it just became more dangerous because we have more people down at the river now, and it was time we had to find something that was safe.”

One of the primary objectives was to create a fully accessible launch, but this wasn’t feasible. The launch, which cost about $140,000, has accessible elements, but the only way to reach the dock is by a staircase.

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