Have visitors to Innisfil Beach Park become “sign blind?”
Faced with numerous signs at every beach, including warnings that dogs are not permitted within 15 metres of the water’s edge, that no barbecues, smoking or littering is allowed and that beaches are reserved for ‘Beaches in Motion’ activities only, are beach-goers becoming numb and simply not reading or even noticing the signs?
Are people ignoring signs warning that the water is unsafe for swimming, at Beaches 2 through 5 at Innisfil Beach Park, on Lake Simcoe?
Between June and Labour Day, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit carries out water sampling at designated public beaches, including all beaches at Innisfil Beach Park, and the new parks at the 9th and 10th Line road ends.
The samples are tested for the presence of E.coli bacteria – a simple bacterium related to fecal matter. When levels are high enough, the beach may be posted as unsafe for swimming, or even closed.
High E.coli levels are often associated with heavy rainfall that washes dirt into the water – as well as high winds and wave action, stirring up the lake bottom or the presence of large numbers of swimmers or waterfowl.
Swimming advisory signs, warning of elevated bacteria levels and unsafe conditions, were posted at Bonsecours Beach, Leonard’s Beach, and Innisfil Beach Park North (beaches 2, 3, 4 and 5) on July 8, but not everyone has noticed the red and white signs, set up near the entrance to each beach.
“Where is that posted?” asked one mom, whose children were splashing in the shallow water of Beach 4 on Monday afternoon.
According to the SMDHU, the elevated bacteria levels “may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness.” Those who ignore the signs and choose to enter the water are advised to avoid dunking their head or swallowing the water.
For updates on advisories and closures, click here.
