Parks Canada-administered places in Ontario delay season opening to align with provincial measures
Peterborough, May 18, 2021 – The health and safety of visitors and employees are of utmost importance to Parks Canada and the Agency is following the advice, guidance, and requirements of public health authorities and experts in its operations and continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
To align with measures introduced by the Province of Ontario to limit the spread of COVID-19, Parks Canada administered places in Ontario will delay the launch of most visitor services including camping until at least June 2, 2021. This includes the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
The following services and facilities on the Trent-Severn Waterway will remain closed to visitors until at least June 2, 2021:
- Lockage and overnight mooring; and
- All camping; oTENTiks, Ôasis, and the Rosedale cabin.
All Parks Canada reservations impacted by this delayed opening will be automatically cancelled and refunded in full. Visitors do not have to do anything to cancel their reservations.
Parks Canada is asking Canadians to observe travel restrictions, to respect the guidance of public health experts and all public health restrictions, and to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep one another safe.
The Parks Canada website provides detailed information on what locations are open, what visitors can expect, how to prepare for a visit and what services may be available. Visitors should check pc.gc.ca before they travel.
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Information:
Karen Feeley
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Trent-Severn Waterway, Parks Canada
705-750-4930
Karen.feeley@canada.ca
Trent Port Marina has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Canada certification once again this year by Blue Flag International, administered in Canada by Swim Drink Fish. This internationally recognized award is granted to specific beaches and marinas that meet the highest environmental, safety, cleanliness, accessibility and sustainability standards. Trent Port Marina is one of only 10 marinas in Canada to receive the award this year.
The Blue Flag award demonstrates a community’s commitment to providing a clean, safe, and accessible waterfront. Blue Flag communities are respected for being among the best places to live, work, study, and play. Trent Port Marina is the only beach or marina in the Bay of Quinte area to have achieved this award, which speaks volumes to the hard work and dedication of staff and supporters.
“We are proud to be among a small number of marinas across Canada honoured with the Blue Flag certification again this year. Trent Port Marina works with boaters and the Quinte West community year-round to ensure this designation is maintained annually,” says Manager of Marina and Waterfront Facilities Kathy Lammers. “The Blue Flag program along with other environmental initiatives including the Great Lakes Cleanup Project and Boating Ontario’s Clean Marine program, is a key focus of our efforts to operate Trent Port Marina in an environmentally sustainable manner.”
“The outstanding work of the Marina staff has exceeded already high expectations for professionalism and quality throughout the years,” says Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. “The constant effort that we continue to see from the management and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic shows their commitment to providing exceptional service no matter what challenges we are facing, so the Blue Flag Award comes as no surprise. I commend the staff at the Trent Port Marina for their ongoing work year-round.”
On May 25, 2021, Blue Flag International will pay recognition to Blue Flag Canada beaches and marinas in a global announcement.
The Trent Port Marina has been recognized for its excellent marina management again this year by Blue Flag Canada.
Swim Drink Fish, the organization that operates Blue Flag Canada on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, states in a recent report that, “The Trent Port Marina sets the bar for Blue Flag Marinas in Canada,” confirming that it is a “premium-class municipal marina unlike any of its kind.”
A Blue Flag award demonstrates a community’s commitment to providing a clean, safe, and accessible waterfront. Blue Flag communities are respected for being among the best places to live, work, study, and play. The Trent Port Marina has proudly flown the Blue Flag for the past three seasons.
“COVID-19 presented many challenges in 2020, but thanks to patient and understanding boaters, Trent Port Marina had a very successful season,” says Trent Port Marina Manager Kathy Lammers. “The Marina sorely missed the many boats that visit from the United States, but we look forward to extending the usual warm welcome to those visitors when it is safe to do so.”
“The outstanding work of the Marina staff has exceeded already high expectations for professionalism and quality,” says Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. “The effort that went into the Marina this past season during the COVID-19 pandemic just shows our commitment to providing exceptional service no matter what challenges we are facing. I can’t commend the staff at the Trent Port Marina enough for their ongoing work year-round.”
The Trent Port Marina is proud to be part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup project. As a part of this initiative, the TPM uses cutting-edge technology to filter plastic waste out of the water and stop more plastic from entering our waterways. One Seabin and two LittaTraps have been installed at Trent Port Marina to collect waste from the water and storm drains.
The Trent Port Marina in Quinte West is proud to be part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup project. Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is a major environmental issue. Millions of kilograms of plastic pollute rivers and lakes in the Great Lakes region every year. In addition to being an unpleasant sight, it causes serious harm to fish and wildlife and puts the quality of drinking water at risk for millions of people who depend on it.
As a part of this initiative, the Trent Part Marina is using cutting-edge technology to filter plastic waste out of the water and stop more plastic from finding its way in. The Seabin retrieves waste by sucking water in from the surface with a submersible water pump which then passes through a catch bag inside the Seabin. The LittaTrap is an insert that captures and retains plastic and trash that would normally be washed down stormwater drains and into rivers, lakes and oceans.
One Seabin and two LittaTraps have been installed at Trent Port Marina to collect waste from the water and storm drains. The Seabin is emptied daily and the LittaTrap is emptied every few weeks. Data is collected using an app designed for the purpose and is forwarded to the U of T Trash Team for analysis. On occasion, the contents of the two devices are mailed to the University of Toronto for a more detailed analysis.
The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup is possible thanks to financial support from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The project is a partnership of non-profit organizations, marinas, government agencies, as well as industry and University of Toronto researchers dedicated to cleaning up plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.
“Keeping our waterways clean has always been a priority for the City of Quinte West,” says Mayor, Jim Harrison. “We’re proud to be a part of a project that can help protect and improve water quality in the Bay of Quinte.”
Learn more about the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup: www.greatlakesplasticcleanup.org.
Trent Port Marina is also proud to fly the Blue Flag, an international environmental designation awarded on an annual basis. In 2020 only nine marinas in Canada were successful in achieving this designation. TPM is a member of the Boating Ontario Clean Marine program and has been proud to fly that flag as well since the Marina opened in 2015.
The Trent Port Marina is being awarded Blue Flag designation for the third consecutive year for its commitment and dedication to environmental sustainability. The Marina received its first Blue Flag designation in 2018 and is one of only nine marinas across Canada to receive the award in 2020. The Blue Flag represents the internationally recognized gold-standard for water quality, environmental management and education, safety, and amenities.
“Trent Port Marina has worked hard to achieve and maintain the Blue Flag designation,” says Kathy Lammers, Manager of Marina and Waterfront Facilities. “The Blue Flag confirms that our Marina is safe, clean and sustainably managed, something we are very proud of.
The Blue Flag is administered in Canada by nonprofit organization Swim Drink Fish on behalf of Blue Flag International and the Foundation for Environmental Education. Beaches and marinas in 47 countries fly the Blue Flag.
Following today’s announcement by Swim Drink Fish of 2020 Blue Flag awardees, the Blue Flag was raised at Trent Port Marina by Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison and Trent Port Marina staff.
Yesterday, Premier Doug Ford announced that marinas in Ontario can open to the public on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The Trent Port Marina will continue with plans to open docks to seasonal boaters on June 1, 2020. In order to ensure the safety of all boaters and staff and to maintain physical distancing, the main marina building, boaters’ lounge, washrooms, laundry and other facilities will remain closed until a later date.
The Fueling Station will also open June 1, with restricted hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Arrangements for fueling must be made in advance by calling on VHF Channel 68 or 613-392-2841, ext. 7100.
Marina Management and Staff are working to open transient docks and the remainder of the facilities as soon as policies, guidelines and restrictions allow.
“We’re excited that we will be able to welcome our seasonal boaters back to Trent Port Marina on June 1st,” says Marina Assistant Manager, Andrew Belej. “We regret that we’re unable to open the entire facility at this time and understand it will be an inconvenience for some boaters, but we will continue to work towards an expanded opening as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Trent Port Marina still has slips available for the 2020 season, as well as new personal watercraft docks. They also offer secure offsite storage for trailers and boats not going in the water immediately or at all this season. Contact the Marina office at 613-392-2841 ext. 7100 or visit www.trentportmarina.ca to reserve your slip or for any inquiries.
The City of Quinte West will reopen its boat launches by Saturday of the coming weekend. However, the Trent Port Marina will remain closed at this time.
The restrictions set in place by the Government of Ontario still limit the operation of recreational facilities such as marinas. Until those restrictions are lifted, the Trent Port Marina will remain closed.
There has been some confusion since last Monday when the Province announced that some marinas would be allowed to begin offering specific launching services. The Trent Port Marina doesn’t provide those services, so` this announcement does not impact our ability to operate. We are still completely closed to the public.
The Trent Port Marina team has been hard at work in the background, as we prepare to open as soon as possible. This includes planned capital projects to improve the Trent Port Marina’s offerings. We have a goal of opening June 1st, provided Government of Ontario restrictions are lifted. Even if restrictions are lifted sooner, there are a number of essential maintenance tasks that can only be completed after restrictions are lifted.
We still have slips available for the season and new PWC docks are being installed next week. They can be reserved for the season for $575 + HST. Reservations can be submitted online or by calling (613) 392-2841, ext. 7100.
The Trent Port Marina team appreciates your patience for a little longer while we work towards a safe, healthy, happy and long boating season ahead!
The City of Quinte West has extended the closure of all municipal facilities indefinitely. For that reason and to comply with the current Government of Ontario directives, Trent Port Marina will not open on May 1 as scheduled. There is currently no set opening date but staff are continuing with capital projects and preparations for the season in order to be prepared for the earliest possible opening.
The due date for payment of outstanding moorage fees for the 2020 season has been extended until an opening date is known. The Trent Port Marina team will continue to develop plans and policies to deal with the delayed opening and will communicate them via this website on a regular basis.
The Marina’s Gathering Hall will also remain closed indefinitely. All events scheduled up to June 1 will be cancelled and full refunds issued. Marina staff will contact customers individually to confirm cancellation and reschedule wherever possible. We thank you for your understanding and extend our best wishes to everyone to stay safe and healthy.
Trent Port Marina is hosting an afternoon of environmental education for anyone interested in learning more about the importance of fostering healthy shorelines and waterways. Eco-Wisdom for Shorelines and Waterways will be held at the Trent Port Marina on Friday, July 5th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The event is being delivered in partnership with Lower Trent Conservation (LTC), Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (BQRAP) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH).
A variety of information and demonstrations will be made available to the public in an effort to promote best practices for healthy shorelines, drinking water source protection, and aquatic invasive species awareness.
“It’s our hope that those who attend will walk away with a better understanding of the environmental challenges existing on Lake Ontario, including the Bay of Quinte and other local waterways,” says Lower Trent Conservation CAO Rhonda Bateman. “Practicing good stewardship of our shorelines and watercourses is essential to ensuring a vibrant, healthy future for our community, and beyond.”
The Trent Port Marina recently received news that it has been awarded with the esteemed ‘Blue Flag’ eco-certification for a second year in a row, making it one of only a dozen marinas in Canada able to boast this unique and prestigious honour.
“The ‘Blue Flag’ award represents a gold-standard for water quality, environmental management and education, safety and amenities,” says Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. “When you see the blue flag flying, you know the Marina is environmentally conscious, clean and accessible which is something our community can take great pride in.”
“Hosting of this environmentally-friendly focused event is a testament to our Marina’s commitment to maintain and enhance its ‘Blue Flag’ status,” adds Quinte West Councillor Sally Freeman.
For more information on this event visit www.trentportmarina.ca or contact Kathy Lammers, Manager of Marina & Waterfront Facilities for the City of Quinte West at 613-392-2841 x. 7101
Trent Port Marina Receives Blue Flag Certification
Quinte West’s Trent Port Marina (TPM) is being recognized again this year for its commitment and dedication to environmental sustainability. The TPM has once again received Blue Flag designation, one of only 12 marinas across Canada to receive this award in 2019. The Blue Flag represents the internationally recognised gold-standard for water quality, environmental management and education, safety, and amenities.
“When you see a Blue Flag flying at a marina, you know that it’s clean, safe and sustainably managed,” said Kelsey Scarfone, Water Programs Manager with Environmental Defence. “These world-class marinas have worked hard to achieve the standards set by this prestigious award, and we’re proud to recognize that accomplishment.”
The Blue Flag is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). More than 4,000 beaches and marinas in 45 countries fly the Blue Flag.
The official raising of the prestigious Blue Flag will happen at TPM Saturday, June 15th. Mayor Jim Harrison will be present along with Marina Manager Kathy Lammers and representatives from Environmental Defence, the Canadian Operator of the Blue Flag Program.
Where:
Trent Port Marina
15 Creswell Dr., Trenton
When:
Saturday, June 15th, 2019
1:30 pm
Who:
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison, members of City Council
Kathy Lammers, Trent Port Marina Manager
A representative from the Blue Flag Program