Great news for our winter enthusiasts! We know how much snowmobiling adds to the vibrancy of Haliburton during the colder months, and it is Haliburton's goal to make it easier for riders to access the great restaurants and shops in the east end.
Dysart el al Parks and Recreation team, led by Director Andrew Wilbee, has been hard at work exploring options to bring snowmobilers closer to the heart of the community, especially when the ice on the lake isn't safe for travel.
The Journey So Far: HCSA Weighs In
The town of Haliburton recently met with the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association (HCSA), and they are happy with the current designated parking area near the Welcome Centre. Snowmobilers are already using this area and walking to restaurants along Highland and Maple Avenue without issue—which is fantastic!
However, the main concern is providing a reliable, off-lake access route. This is especially important for safety when the conditions are unpredictable.
The Proposed New Access Route: From Sam Slick to Head Lake
To address the need for a safe alternative route, Haliburton staff is proposing a path that runs parallel to the Head Lake walking trail, starting at Sam Slick Park and ending at the boat launch.
The Plan: Create a marked and signed path.
The Catch: HCSA cannot take on any more trails, and their groomer won't fit. This means the Council would need to approve and accept responsibility/liability for this new route.
The Next Steps: Snowmobilers would then travel from the boat launch through the Head Lake parking lot to reach the existing designated snowmobile parking area near the Welcome Centre.
🚦 Two Options to Get Even Closer to the Action
Once riders are parked at the Head Lake designated area, staff have explored two options to get them closer to the bustling intersection of Maple Avenue and Highland Street:
Option 1: A Quick Hop to York Street 🛵
This is the simpler approach:
Create an opening in the fence of the current snowmobile parking area.
Allow snowmobilers to pass through onto York Street.
Riders can travel along York Street and park in the upper library parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis.
Option 2: Through Head Lake Park to the Lower Library Lot 🏞️
This option would bring riders right up to the doorstep of the main retail area, but it comes with higher risks:
Create an opening at the far end of the designated snowmobile parking area to access Head Lake Park.
Mark and sign a trail that travels through Head Lake Park to the lower library parking lot.
The Library CEO would need to be notified and approve parking in this lot.
⚠️ Important Consideration for Option 2: Haliburton staff warned council that they need to be transparent about the risks. Before the current designated parking area was installed, Head Lake Park infrastructure (benches, paved pathways, sprinkler systems, and memorial trees) was damaged by snowmobilers driving off-trail. Choosing Option 2 means a higher risk of parks infrastructure being damaged, even with a marked trail.
💰 The Financial Impact
The good news is that the initial investment is manageable. Staff estimate approximately $1,500 will be required to purchase the necessary stakes and signage to clearly mark and delineate the proposed trail(s) for the new route from Sam Slick Park and whichever final option Council chooses.
What Happens Next?
This recommendation is now before the Mayor and Members of Council for review. They will weigh the benefits of bringing snowmobilers closer to our businesses against the potential costs and liability, particularly concerning the two options for the final leg of the journey.
We’ll keep you updated on the decision! Which option do you think is best for our community and our park infrastructure? Let us know in the comments!
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