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Improving Access to Brome Lake Purpose of Study This brief review was conducted by TBLTA to provide background information for public discussions concerning: 1. Courses of action to meet a Master Plan objective to improve access to the lake ; 2. The review and revision, if desirable, of specifications for the construction of a new Douglass Beach pavilion How the study was carried out The town supplied details of properties on the shoreline of the lake owned by TBL; A survey was made to determine what opportunities now exist for: (1) public access to the lake and (2) for watercraft launching, mooring and rental. (Discussions were held with TBL and organizations having lake access, or responsibility for activities involving the lake.) A real estate agent was consulted to identify lakefront properties, currently for sale, which might be suitable for future public waterfront parks or beaches. Conclusions While the current version of the Master Plan contains the objective: improve access to the lake, it is not specific regarding such questions as: Access for whom (residents and/or visitors)? To do what? During which seasons? The review adopted a broad perspective, considering all possibilities for increased access opportunities for residents and visitors during summer and winter seasons to enjoy the widest variety of activities. 2
In the past, the town has not always viewed lake winter activities with enthusiasm. In 1990, Mayor Decelles threatened to ban ice fishing. In 2007, Mayor Wisdom threatened to ban all motorized vehicles on the ice. Neither threat was put into effect. One activity which is definitely not welcome, summer or winter, is the use of the lake by pilots to practice take-offs and landings. The town s Tourism Committee has already decided that the lake cannot be considered a growth product (un produit porteur) on the grounds that there are few ways of exploiting it, few park areas close to the lake, few access points - and beaches which are often overcrowded. They have settled instead on promoting restaurants serving duck as a delicacy and cultural events. It might be noted that these latter attractions are not consistent with the main reasons visitors (3,000 respondents) gave in 1995 for visiting TBL (#1 general attractiveness of the area ; #2 nature-related activities ; #3 the lake ). If increasing access to the lake is indeed to be an objective of the town and its residents, attitudes will have to change, and thought and resources devoted to the task of making this happen. As opportunities become available to acquire more waterfront parkland, for example, they should be given consideration. As will be shown in the detailed section of the report, opportunities to expand lake access and make Brome Lake more of an attraction for residents and visitors, while severely limited, do exist. In particular: Update Douglass Beach: Since Douglass Beach is the main town-owned lakefront property, it should be designed for maximum effectiveness. The allocation of the land to accommodate parking /picnic area/beach uses and possible future boat rentals should be carefully planned when locating the new beach pavilion. The owner of the adjacent property to the west (formerly known as Foster Park) could be approached to see if additional 3
land could be purchased by the town at a reasonable price. The Boat Club, located on the east side, might consider an arrangement which would allow public use of an adjacent strip of land in some manner. Modify Design of Beach Pavilion: To provide for potential growth of winter activities on the lake, Council might want to consider modifying the present design of the new pavilion to make provision for space which could be used in the future for people to change their skates or skis, get warm, and perhaps have a snack. Consider New Points of Access: Only a few locations have been identified which would increase the number of access points to the lake. The most significant of these is an 8.3 acre river-front property, suitable for a park, presently listed for sale. (See page 11.) Encourage Lake Activities: In the past, the town has provided few facilities for the public to enjoy the lake during the summer, and none during the winter (other than parking lots at Tiffany Park and Douglass Beach). Despite this, there have been efforts from the private sector to encourage lake activities during the winter. * * * * * * 4
Background detail on Brome Lake Detailed Findings Brome Lake is an ideal lake for recreational use by residents and visitors. Features It is easily reached from Montreal being located close to Exit 90 on Autoroute 10. It is ringed by mountains and renowned by windsurfers and sailors for its wind conditions and warm water. (Winds, generally from the southwest, average 6 km/hr, exceeding 12 km/hr 10% of the time, during the day in the summer). With an area covering 14.5 km 2 (5.6 square miles) it has 20.6 km of shoreline, almost all of which is privately owned. The lake is approximately 5.7 km across at its widest dimension. The fishing is good summer and winter. In the past, ice on the lake has started to form in mid-december, disappearing at the end of March or beginning of April. The lake is fed by 6 streams. Several provide potential access points. Water Quality Because of its shallow depth it is comfortably warm during July and August with an average surface temperature of 24 o C. The lake was closed in August 2006 (until October) by the Quebec Department of Health which claimed (in error) the existence of a bloom of toxic blue-green algae. Since then, while patches of algae appear in the lake from time to time, no harmful toxicity has been discovered during the summer. However the lake closure, widely publicized, had a detrimental effect on the lake s reputation. 5
Security The town s Nautical Safety Committee organizes a patrol of the lake during busy periods to ensure that boaters act safely. At other times, in cases of boaters in distress, a patrol boat is moored at Marina Knowlton. In the winter when there is trouble on the ice, the town s fire department comes to the rescue. In summer, a slow-speed zone, marked by buoys 150 m from the shore, encircles the lake to protect swimmers and fishermen from speeding motor boats. In the winter, both Marina Knowlton and Domaine des Erables keep a watchful eye on lake ice conditions. Present Lake Access Locations for Public * * * * * * (a) Town owned (See map of lake on page 15.) 1. Douglass Beach (435 of shoreline): This is the only public beach on the lake which is patrolled by lifeguards (10am to 6pm during the summer). The parking lot holds between 130 and 150 cars. (Visitors pay $10, up to 3 pm then $6. Residents can buy a pass for $4 per year.) A canteen (concession) is available for snacks and light lunches. The beach is well used, more by residents during the week and by tourists/visitors during the weekend. At present, there are no facilities to dock or rent boats. (The dock shown in the photo has been removed.) 6
2. Tiffany Park (745 of shoreline): This is not really a beach, even though it is used for unsupervised swimming by some and is popular for wind-surfing and para-skiing. It has free parking, a wonderful view, and a picnic area with benches. But, since cars with trailers use the boat ramp (for low boats which can only reach the lake by passing through a culvert), space is limited. The town owns 14 acres behind the parking lot between the highway and the railway right-of-way. Most of it is in wetlands. The dry part behind the picnic area is close to residences. It is possible that the parking lot could be extended on the town property behind the houses bordering the highway. If a municipal boardwalk through the wetlands is ever considered in this zone (leading to the railway right-of-way for example), RLB suggests that the zoning bylaw be changed to permit it. (A Certificate of Authorization from MMDEP would still be required.) 7
3. Benoit St. (29 of shoreline): This TBL-owned strip of land, leading to the lake, is a continuation of Benoit Street and lies between two private properties close to Marina Knowlton. However, at the moment, it is not an official public right-of-way to the lake. This status is under review by the town. 4. Bondville Road (40 of shoreline): This fenced in area is presently leased by TBL to 18 neighbouring residents who moor and launch their boats at the private dock located there. 8
5. Foster Dam Property adjoining Highway 215 which includes the dam: Not suitable for swimming or boat launching, although kayaks have been known to ride the waterfall when gates are open and flow is appropriate. Could serve as a location for start of a public path along the Yamaska River (downstream of the dam) with agreement of the owner (Domaine des Erables). (b) Privately owned 1. Marina Knowlton: Boat launch with mooring slips for 50 boats (motorboats and sailboats). Gas pump. Food and beverage available. 2. Domaine des Erables: Campground. Boat ramp. Rental of rowboats and small boats with 9 hp motors. In winter provides access to lake for ATV s and snowmobiles. 9
Commercial Establishments offering Lake Access to Guests 1. Auberge Quilliams: Located at the mouth of the Quilliams stream, this hotel offers guests the choice of taking a canoe or kayak to (a) explore the Quilliams nature reserve or (b) enter the lake. There is a beach where guests can swim in the lake. At one time there was a concession to rent boats but this has been discontinued. 2. Cyprès Motel: Located beside the Auberge Quilliams, Le Cyprès also offers access to the Quilliams stream and the lake (via the Quilliams stream), Guests have the use of a limited number of canoes. There is also a lake beach. Private Access to Lake In addition to those with lakeshore properties, certain other residences close to the lake have lake access (via property deeds granting them lake access through private right-of-ways on land purchased by developers). Some of these developments are served by multi-berth docks providing space for numerous watercraft. (In 2010 it was determined that 467 motorboats and other motorized craft were resident on the lake.) The Brome Lake Boat Club (Club nautique du Lac Brome): This private club offers residents and their visitors a day camp and club facilities such as swimming, tennis and sailing lessons in the summer during July and August. The club owns a 10
variety of watercraft: sailboats, canoes, paddleboats, and two outboard motorboats. Whereas the club used to hold regular weekly races for local sailors, these stopped due to lack of interest. One annual regional regatta is held. Members can store their own boats at the club, pulled up on shore or on moorings. * * * * * * Activities for which the lake is suitable In summer Swimming Fishing Canoeing Kayaking Wind-surfing Para-sailing Water-skiing Scenic Boat Tours In winter Walking Ice-fishing Skating Skiing Sleigh rides Snowmobiling & use of ATV s Para-skiing Ice-boating (when ice conditions permit) Some of these activities are possible now, using existing facilities. Some require more parking spaces for cars and/or trailers. The present range of activities could be extended if facilities existed for equipment and boat rental as well as concessions to offer instructions. However, the limited number of present and potential lake access points presents a major obstacle. Many other lakes have a public dock where lake residents on a shopping visit to town (by boat) can tie up. Unfortunately this does not seem possible unless more lakefront could be made available at Douglass Beach. 11
Other obstacles to providing boat rentals that have been experienced by those who have tried it are: (1) the cost of insurance to cover cases of drowning or injury resulting from the equipment rental and (2) vandalism. Camping des Erables has posted a sign, indicating that all liability is assumed by renters of equipment as soon as they leave dry land. Potential New Lake Access Points for Public (property for sale) A. Properties for sale 1. An 8.3 acre riverfront property suitable for a park is for sale: This land, across highway 243 from the Tourist Office, is part of that owned at one time by the Christian Brothers. It has 638 on the Yamaska River facing the campground. Vehicle access is by highway 243 (Lakeside Road). The asking price is $775,000. Access to the lake by boat is possible - upstream. Swimming could be hazardous when the current is strong, but in the summer the gates are often all closed allowing canoes, paddleboats and kayaks to be propelled without undue effort. This property would have the space to permit the rental of these boats. There is also room for a restaurant or snack bar. It would appear that this land is about the only space left around the lake suitable for a public park. (The presence of a park is unlikely to disturb the present neighbours.) 12
2. One lake property presently for sale was considered unsuitable for a public park because of its proximity to residences (and its price). It consisted of 1.26 acres of land with 150 of waterfront (selling for $795,000) and was located on Bondville Road, slightly west of the Inverness condos. B. Existing Sites Requiring Minor Modifications 1. At Victoria Ave & bridge over the Coldbrook stream in Knowlton: If the Duck Farm agreed to allow the public on their land, a gravel path could be constructed beside the bridge, which would allow the members of the public to carry canoes or kayaks down to the Coldbrook stream, and thence to the lake. There is however no place to park since all nearby land is privately owned. 13
2. At Centre Rd.and bridge over the Pearson stream (by the Duck Farm): A gravel path could be constructed on town land (Lions Park property) which would allow members of the public to carry canoes or kayaks down to the Pearson stream, and thence to the lake. There is usually ample parking nearby beside the tennis courts. Prepared by: Peter F. Wade March 2012 14
L Location of lakefront properties owned by the Town of Brome Lake 15