Wasaga Beach Provincial Park: Beach Management Secondary Plan

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Ontario Parks

Date: June 26, 2017
© 2017, Queen’s Printer for Ontario
ISBN 978-1-4606-9968-3 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-4606-9970-6 (PDF)
ISBN 978-1-4606-9969-0 (HTML)

Examination and adjustment history of management direction

Approval statement

I am pleased to approve the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Beach Management Secondary Plan as the official policy for beach management in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. The plan reflects the intent of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Parks to protect the natural and cultural heritage values of the beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, and to provide high quality, ecologically sustainable outdoor recreation and heritage appreciation experiences for the residents of Ontario and visitors to the province.

This plan outlines the goal of beach management and site-specific actions related to managing the beach’s natural, cultural and recreational values. The document also summarizes the involvement of Indigenous communities, the public and stakeholders that occurred as part of the planning process.

The secondary plan for Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will be used to guide beach management in the park over the coming years. During that time, the plan may be examined to address emerging issues or changing conditions, and may be adjusted as the need arises.

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who participated in the planning process.

Bruce Bateman
Director
Ontario Parks
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Date 26 June 2017

Summary

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is a valued natural and recreational area on the shore of Georgian Bay in the Town of Wasaga Beach. Established in 1959, this 1844.3 hectare (ha) area has been managed as a recreational class provincial park with day use facilities.

This secondary plan presents park-specific actions for beach management and aims to ensure that Wasaga Beach Provincial Park’s natural and recreational values are managed sustainably over the coming years. The document begins with the goal of beach management, and outlines management actions. A companion background document attached further provides supplemental information on the planning and management context and describes the park’s shoreline values.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park protects a range of recreational and natural values and processes, including some provincially significant features. Ontario Parks seeks to protect these values by varying management activities along the shoreline throughout the year based on the significance of features and recreational opportunities. Actions included in the beach management secondary plan aim to balance the protection of recreational and natural values, while ensuring that Wasaga Beach Provincial Park continues to provide outstanding ecologically sustainable recreation opportunities for park visitors. The following are highlights of the actions contained in the beach management secondary plan.

1. Beach raking (mechanical grooming) will continue to occur and vary based on season and location; raking patterns will aim to balance recreational opportunities and protection of natural features to the greatest extent possible.
2. Management actions for shoreline vegetation differ based on significance; significant vegetation, including wetlands, will be protected from disturbance to a greater degree than vegetation that is not considered significant.
3. Species at risk will continue to be protected in accordance with the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA), Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) and park policies, as well as other applicable legislation and guidance for the protection or recovery of species at risk.
4. Detritus is a naturally occurring organic material deposited along the shoreline; it will be managed for aesthetic purposes in support of recreational opportunities. Management will vary throughout the year and location along the shoreline, with most active management during the summer months.
5. Invasive species pose a threat to both recreational opportunities and natural values in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. The park will continue its efforts to control and where possible eradicate invasive species, including Phragmites australis subsp. australis (also known as Phragmites or Common Reed).
6. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has hosted many special events; the park will work closely with the Town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario Provincial Police, emergency services, and others to continue to deliver high quality special events in keeping with applicable legislation while protecting natural values.
7. Ontario Parks will work collaboratively with Indigenous communities, the Town of Wasaga Beach, interested groups, members of the public and stakeholders to ensure that they continue to play an important role in the operation and management of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
8. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will continue to offer beach stewardship, education and outreach programs for park visitors, local residents and cottagers each summer.
9. Efforts will be made to protect habitat, restore and enhance biodiversity, and enable natural processes to occur, where possible.
10. Broad direction is provided for designating areas for specific uses. In general, designating areas for specific uses will not occur, as most of the beach is considered a multi-use area; however, some circumstances may arise where designating a specific area for a use or activity will occur as this is the most appropriate management approach.
11. When necessary, further evaluation of projects may be required and carried out in accordance with A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (Class EA-PPCR).

For more information in French, please contact the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940

1 Introduction

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is an 1844.3 hectare (ha) recreational class provincial park located on the shores of Nottawasaga Bay in southern Georgian Bay (appendix 1, figure 1). It was established under the Provincial Parks Act in 1959 and is now regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA). Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is situated entirely within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Wasaga Beach (appendix 1, figure 2).

The park is a popular destination, especially in the summer, and welcomes over one million visitors each year. In addition to welcoming visitors from international and national destinations, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is located within a community and is used year round by local and nearby residents. Recreational uses related to the beach include swimming and other water sports, beach sports, relaxing on the beach, bird watching and other nature viewing, walking, and enjoying sunsets or special events.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is one of several protected areas along the shorelines of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The park protects a range of recreational, cultural, and natural values. The beach is a strongly valued recreational and cultural feature; it is recognized as one of the top ten beaches in Canada, and contributes significantly to the culture, identity and economy of the Town of Wasaga Beach.

The sand beach, as a natural value, is considered to be a relict beach or having relict sand deposits left behind from the last glaciation period and is a non-renewable resource. It is important to undertake stewardship activities that will protect the sand resources while addressing biodiversity considerations (e.g. invasive species control) and dune restoration.

The entire 14 kilometre (km) stretch of shoreline within the park has been actively managed to some degree for many years. Both the recreational opportunities and natural heritage features that exist today are at least in part the result of past and current management practices; for example, past native vegetation planting initiatives (e.g. planting of American Beach Grass (Ammophila breviligulata)) assisted with dune formation. This reduced the amount of sand blown inland and contributed to a healthy beach and dune ecosystem, but also altered the amount of flat sand available for recreational activities. Some on-going natural processes still occur and overlie human management activities.

This document aims to provide clear direction and set realistic expectations for managing the beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. It begins with the goal of beach management and outlines management actions. An attached companion background document provides planning and management context and describes the park’s shoreline values; maps are included in appendix 1, while a summary of consultation that occurred during the development of the plan is included in appendix 2.

2 Goal of beach management

The goal of beach management in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is to:

• provide high quality, ecologically sustainable beach recreational opportunities and public beach access
• recognize the cultural heritage and historical importance of the beach and beach activities
• permanently protect and, where possible, enhance the quality of natural heritage values and processes, and the ecological integrity of the beach
• educate park visitors and others on the natural heritage values of the beach and dune system

3 Beach management actions

The sections below include background and other information about individual topics and actions to achieve the overall beach management goal.

The actions included in this document have been assessed to ensure that they contribute to achieving the beach management goal and meeting the PPCRA's objectives. These actions will be carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and park policies, and will be subject to the considerations outlined in the implementation section below (section 4). Ontario Parks will use an adaptive management approach when undertaking beach management activities in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (section 4).

Site-specific direction for managing the park is provided in the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Master Plan, which was approved in 1978. Through the master plan, the park’s shoreline is organized into distinct areas for management purposes (appendix 1, figures 3-10). In 1978, beach areas were given formal names, but are now referred to as:

• Allenwood Beach Area: Archer Road to Mary Street
• New Wasaga Beach Area: Mary Street to northeast shore of the Nottawasaga River mouth
• Beach Area 1: mouth of the Nottawasaga River to 3^rd Street
• Beach Area 2: 3^rd Street to 16^th Street
• Beach Area 3: 16^th Street to 23^rd Street
• Beach Area 4: 23^rd Street to 30^th Street
• Beach Area 5: 30^th Street to 45^th Street
• Beach Area 6: 45^th Street to 71^st Street

Over the years several sub-areas have been identified where distinct management actions have occurred. These areas include:

• The Point (located in Beach Area 1)
• Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nesting habitat (currently located in Beach Area 1 and New Wasaga/Allenwood, although the location and/or size of area depends on Piping Plover nest sites, which can change from year to year)
• Areas set aside for specific uses or recreational activities (e.g. kiteboard launch areas, designated swimming area, dog beach, etc.)

Park operating dates and seasons listed below are consistent with Ontario Parks' operating standards, and are provided for information purposes only; this information is intended to provide context for understanding beach management practices. Changes to park seasons and operating dates are not anticipated, however, it should be noted that future changes to these dates would not be subject to consultation.

In general, for the purpose of this plan, beach management seasons are as follows:

• "peak season" refers to the time period between the Canada Day weekend and Labour Day. All aspects of beach management are carried out during this time.
• "shoulder season" refers to the time period between the second Friday in May or park opening until Canada Day weekend, and from the Tuesday following Labour Day weekend until Thanksgiving or park closing. During this time, beach management is more limited.
• "off season" refers to the time period between Thanksgiving or park closing and the second Friday in May or park opening. During this time, minimal beach management occurs.

The beach is always accessible for walk-in visitors, with the exception of those areas closed for operational or resource management purposes. However, the opening of facilities (e.g. parking areas, washrooms) and provision of services (e.g. staffed gate houses, maintenance activities) associated with different beach areas are phased in and out over the course of the year. In general, operating dates are as follows:

• Beach Area 1: Early April to Thanksgiving weekend
• Beach Areas 2, 5, 6, Allenwood and New Wasaga: Mid-May to Thanksgiving weekend
• Beach Area 3: Late April to Thanksgiving weekend
• Beach Area 4: Late June until Labour Day weekend

3.1 Beach raking (mechanical beach grooming)

The term 'beach raking' should be interpreted to include all forms of mechanical beach grooming. In other words, beach raking is the use of mechanized or powered equipment, such as a tractor and landscape rake attachment or beach cleaner, to alter the surface of the beach.

Beach raking is an efficient and effective way of removing larger articles of debris from the shoreline. It also improves beach aesthetics for some beachgoers and some adjacent or local property owners, and maintains vegetation-free areas for beach sports and other activities (e.g. sunbathing).

Beach raking has been demonstrated to have detrimental effects including but not limited to:

• Impairment of beach and dune functions (e.g. flood abatement and vulnerability during storm events).
• Negative impacts to plants and wildlife, including nutrient availability and cycles, and foraging opportunities.
• Destabilization and migration of sand, leading to:
• Exposure of the water table and wetter beaches (i.e. lower ecological and recreational quality).
• Inland movement and deposition of sand along nearby roads, infrastructure and private residences, resulting in the erosion of beaches.

Beach raking is used to maintain vegetation-free areas, break up compacted sand, and to collect and remove hazards for recreational purposes in several of Ontario’s provincial parks, including at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Beach raking patterns have been developed to promote recreational use of the beach while protecting the most significant values. Because of the dynamic nature of the beach and dune system, beach raking patterns are adjusted and adapted based on changing conditions. Factors considered in the development of beach raking patterns include visitation patterns and requirements, operational constraints and ecological features.

Vegetation-free areas are maintained to a greater extent in beach areas that receive the highest amount of visitation and where park facilities are available for visitors (i.e. washrooms). In locations that receive fewer visitors, natural vegetation is retained, in part for its natural heritage and ecosystem service value, and in part as a buffer between park visitors and adjacent private land. Along most of the shoreline, active management is used to maintain a vegetation-free area at the water’s edge for recreation and access purposes.

Methods:

Beach raking is accomplished through a variety of approaches using a tractor and landscape rake attachment, or other specialized machinery.

Frequency:

During the peak season, beach raking occurs in all beach areas at least once per week and up to once per day. In the shoulder seasons, beach raking is less frequent and generally occurs once per week. Beach raking does not occur during the off season.

Actions:

• Continue existing beach raking patterns and frequency, subject to the direction listed below.
• Beach raking will not occur in:
  • known Piping Plover habitat, subject to section 3.5.2 in this plan; Piping Plover habitat is protected under both the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the provincial Endangered Species Act (ESA),
  • mature sand dunes, as they provide important ecological and stabilizing functions,
  • the Point in Beach Area 1, which is designated as a provincially significant earth science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) where access and active management has been restricted to provide habitat and allow natural processes and functions to proceed unimpeded,
  • areas with concentrated stands of Phragmites australis subsp. australis (also known as Phragmites or Common Reed) to prevent disturbance and spread of the invasive species (refer to section 3.6 for invasive species management actions),
  • areas that equipment can't access or that have natural hazards (e.g. rocks, creeks, wet areas, municipal storm water outlets)
  • areas that are vegetated, subject to the actions listed in section 3.5.1.
• Evaluate beach raking patterns annually, or more frequently as needed, and make adjustments based on an adaptive management approach, which involves making informed decisions based on the best scientific information available, as well as considering available equipment and technology. While input received from stakeholders or others may be considered in the evaluation of raking patterns, beach raking patterns are not subject to public consultation.
• If a change in visitation patterns, operational constraints or ecological factors leads MNRF to consider increasing or decreasing the size of the beach area subject to raking, the potentially affected area will be examined to identify potential impacts, risks and mitigation prior to changing beach raking patterns.
  • Should vegetation removal be proposed to enable additional beach raking, the actions listed in section 3.5.1 will be followed.
• Seasonal variations in raking patterns or frequency:
  • In shoulder seasons, staff will avoid beach raking on windy days (to prevent net loss of sand) and the beach will be raked only when necessary.
  • In shoulder seasons and when there is sufficient area to meet recreational demand, beach raking will not occur within 3 m of the water’s edge, mature dunes, and natural creeks to allow for shorebird foraging, nutrient cycling and to minimize disturbance to dune vegetation and creek banks. Beach raking to remove detritus, litter or hazards may occur in accordance with sections 3.4 and 3.5.
• Beach raking will not occur in areas where vegetation has been removed by a third party proponent as a result of an authorization (work permit) under the PPCRA (see section 3.5.1).

3.2 Sand management

Sand movement occurs naturally as part of the beach and dune sediment cycle. In this cycle, sand is deposited on the beach through wave action. It is then blown by the wind and deposited inland where it forms dunes. During storm or high water events, dunes are eroded and sand is transported offshore where the cycle begins again.

Actions:

• Sand management activities must be authorized by the park superintendent and may be subject to timing constraints or other conditions (e.g. environmental assessment) to ensure the protection of the environment, park values, and public health.
• Sand may be removed from unwanted areas along the beachfront, such as beneath the boardwalk or adjacent to break walls, as required using heavy equipment; it will be redistributed on the beach or used in dune restoration.
• Sand blown inland onto roads or parking areas will not be redistributed on the beach due to the potential presence of contaminants (i.e. road and vehicle debris or fluids, salt, invasive species seeds, etc.) unless the sand has been sifted and tested to ensure it does not pose an environmental or public health risk. Should it be confirmed that the sand does not pose a risk to the environment, park values, or public health, it may be redistributed on the beach adjacent to where it was removed, or used in dune restoration within the area covered by the beach management secondary plan, if operationally, environmentally and financially feasible. Sand removed in the spring from areas that are not salted or used during the winter (e.g. park or municipal parking areas that are closed in the winter) may be redistributed along the shoreline or used in dune restoration without sifting or testing.
• Importing new sand or relocating existing sand from one area of the beach to another for recreational purposes will not occur due to the potential negative economic and environmental impacts of this practice (e.g. expensive, may damage or destroy beach and aquatic life, hard to find new sand that matches the properties of existing material).
• Fencing, such as sand fencing, will continue to be installed in the fall to reduce sand loss and the amount of sand blown into undesirable areas (e.g. roads, parking areas, lawns); fencing will be removed in the spring. The location and length of fence(s), as well as installation/removal dates, will be determined on an annual basis by park staff. Authorization may be issued by the park superintendent to permit adjacent private property owners to install sand fencing in the park adjacent to their land, subject to conditions and timing constraints.
• Maintaining vegetation or planting native vegetation will be used as a form of sand management, where appropriate.
• Where required for access, curving walking paths up to 3m in width will be permitted as required to direct pedestrian traffic through unraked areas (e.g. from parking areas or other beach access points to raked beach areas).

3.3 Storm water drainage outflow and erosion management

Storm water from some residential, commercial and other development areas in the Town of Wasaga Beach is collected and drained to nineteen municipal drainage outflows that discharge storm water onto the beach. Storm water then flows across the beach into Georgian Bay.

In the past, management activities associated with municipal storm water drainage outflows have typically been undertaken by the park and, in some circumstances, with assistance from the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Erosion management occurs along the entire length of the beach, with the exception of areas where access has been restricted for resource management purposes (e.g. Piping Plover habitat and the Point in Beach Area 1). The purpose of managing erosion sites is to reduce safety hazards, maintain safe access for park visitors and staff, and minimize the amount of material eroded from the beach.

Management activities include:

• Erosion management, such as filling in areas that have eroded due to storm water flow, or installing silt fencing or other barriers, to reduce public safety hazards and maintain safe access.
• Invasive species control and removal (where possible - this is often limited because the presence of standing water restricts the use of chemical controls).
• Clearing out blocked flows to allow direct water movement to Georgian Bay (this reduces pooling on the beach).
• Educational signage and outreach to inform park visitors of the hazards associated with storm water outflows.
• Vegetation communities have become established around municipal storm water drainage outflows and natural creeks that flow across the beach. Implementation of management activities must consider impacts to both invasive and native species (refer to section 3.6 invasive species management actions).

Actions:

• Ontario Parks will continue to work with the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, local stakeholder groups, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, and others to establish and follow best management approaches for storm water drainage outflows, with consideration for climate change impact mitigation and adaptation.
• Ontario Parks will work with the Town of Wasaga Beach and others as required to ensure appropriate tenure is in place for current and any future municipal storm water drainage outflows, and that appropriate agreements are in place outlining responsibilities for the operation and management of the outflows.
• A site visit will be conducted prior to clearing out blocked municipal or natural drainage flows to determine if vegetation communities will be negatively affected (refer to section 3.5.1 for vegetation management actions and 3.6 for invasive species management actions).
• Ontario Parks will continue to address eroded areas to ensure safe access and reduce public and staff safety hazards. Where possible, eroded areas will be repaired with hand tools, however, heavy equipment (e.g. tractor) may be required in the event of a significant erosion event. Other approaches to erosion management may also be considered, such as installing silt fencing, matting, or other barriers.
• Signs may be installed or other methods may be used to inform park visitors of hazards associated with storm water or natural drainage outflows.

3.4 Waste collection (garbage, litter) and hazard removal

Waste collection in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park requires significant resources at certain times of the year. An average of approximately 114 tonnes (approximately 114 000 kg) of garbage was removed annually from the park in 2014 and 2015; 181 tonnes (or 181 000 kg) of garbage was removed in 2016. Frequent waste collection is required during peak season, particularly on weekends when waste accumulates quickly in garbage cans, recycling bins and the park’s many public spaces (e.g. litter on the beach or in parking areas). Waste collection and hazard management vary based on the time of year and staggered opening and closing of park areas (see section 3), as well as the conditions outlined in the implementation section (section 4). Innovative approaches to reducing waste will be considered by park staff in partnership with various stakeholders and agencies.

Hazards along the beach, such as sharp objects (e.g. glass, nails) or public safety hazards (e.g. old sections of dock), are removed by park staff using hand tools or heavy equipment. Removal and disposal methods vary based on the type and location of objects.

Natural material and objects along the beach are not considered waste or hazards, except in extremely unusual circumstances; see section 3.5 for actions relating to natural objects along the beach.

Actions:

• Continue to provide frequent waste collection during peak season in all beach areas, and reduced waste collection during the shoulder seasons and off season.
• Provide educational programs or material to encourage park visitors to minimize waste produced during their visit, encourage local residents and other park visitors with municipal waste collection to take their waste home for disposal, and educate park visitors about the value of natural objects along the shoreline, which are not considered waste or hazards.
• Continue to explore opportunities to reduce and redirect waste; this may include collaborating with members of the public, other agencies or stakeholders, or other initiatives led or supported by the park.

3.5 Natural flora, fauna and objects on the beach

3.5.1 Vegetation

This section relates only to the management of native vegetation; invasive species management is addressed in section 3.6.

Vegetation plays an important role in the beach and dune system by trapping blowing sand (Rogers and Nash 2003). Vegetation also acts to stabilize the beach and dunes to reduce the impacts of erosion from wind, storm events, or higher lake levels; this role will be particularly important as the climate changes resulting in lake level changes or increased storm frequency or severity.

Through past outreach and consultation processes, it is apparent that public interest in beach vegetation management is mixed; while some groups would prefer to see all beach vegetation removed, others support the protection of natural vegetation.

Natural objects (e.g. plant material, branches, etc.) play an important role in embryo dune creation, nutrient cycling and providing foraging and shelter opportunities for shorebirds and other wildlife. Natural objects are not considered waste, garbage or litter; they are also not considered hazards except in extremely unusual circumstances.

Large natural objects, such as trees, stumps and branches, can negatively affect the recreational experiences of some park visitors. Additionally, large natural objects can obstruct maintenance activities which support recreation; for example, large natural objects along the beach impede beach raking.

In 2015, MNRF Ontario Parks authorized beachfront landowners adjacent to the park to clear vegetation within the regulated park boundary in front of their private residences. Permits are not issued to adjacent landowners to clear vegetation in known Piping Plover habitat. Conditions for how vegetation could be cleared and the size of the cleared area were established for the 2016 season. The issuance of authorizations under the PPCRA for this type of work, along with associated conditions, is subject to periodic reviews. The presence of a species at risk (SAR) or SAR habitat that could be negatively affected by vegetation removal would revoke or preclude authorization.

An ecological inventory of shoreline vegetation, including wetland evaluation, was undertaken in 2016. Information from this inventory, as well as the 2005 Life Science Inventory of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (North-South Environmental Inc. 2005), or other applicable information will be used when implementing the following actions.

Actions:

• Vegetation-free shoreline will be provided in each beach area for recreational opportunities between the water’s edge and foredunes through active control, unless Lake Huron water levels increase to the point where the water’s edge is at the foredunes or at the edge of a significant vegetation community (i.e., significant vegetation communities and foredunes will not be removed to create flat, vegetation-free beach for recreation). Control methods could include preventing vegetation from becoming established through regular disturbance (i.e., raking) or vegetation removal by means of tractor, plough, discer and harrows.
• Should vegetation removal be proposed, a site specific visit will be conducted; this assessment will assist in determining a course of action based on the specific situation. Proposed changes could result from sustained high or low water levels, which can significantly reduce or increase the width of beach, or other influencing factors such as changing recreational demands or natural heritage value information.
• Beach, dune and wetland vegetation species, communities or ecological associations considered significant will be protected and where possible enhanced. A vegetated area is considered significant if:
  • the species or community is assigned a globally, nationally or provincially rare ranking by NatureServe or the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC)^{footnote i[i]}
  • it is a wetland designated as provincially significant through the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System.
• Disturbance to significant vegetated areas, including wetlands, will be minimized through a variety of methods such as access control, fencing, signs, enforcement, educational or outreach initiatives, limiting fragmentation, establishing appropriate raking patterns, or minimizing vehicle use within vegetated areas.
• Restoration efforts will aim to enhance the ecological health and biodiversity of significant vegetated areas; restoration will focus on ecosystem function, stabilization and habitat creation through native vegetation planting or other methods (see section 3.10).
• Unless required for ecological restoration, habitat improvements or emergency access, vegetation removal will not occur in:
  • Known Piping Plover habitat, which is protected under both the federal SARA and the provincial ESA.
  • Mature sand dunes, as they provide important ecological and stabilizing functions including providing a protective buffer against high water, wind and storm events for private or adjacent lands, which is an important role as the climate changes.
  • Significant vegetation communities or wetlands.
  • The Point in Beach Area 1, which is designated as a provincially significant earth science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)
• Beach, dune and wetland vegetation not considered significant will be passively managed and may be enhanced. In these areas, vegetation may be removed to support recreational opportunities (see below).
  • Disturbance to vegetated areas not considered significant will be minimized where possible through a variety of methods such as access control, fencing, signs, enforcement, educational or outreach initiatives, limiting fragmentation, establishing appropriate raking patterns, and minimizing vehicle use within vegetated areas.
  • Where required for access, curving paths up to 3m in width may be defined to direct pedestrian traffic through vegetated areas not considered significant (e.g. from parking areas or other beach access points to raked beach areas). As required, paths will be defined using signs, fencing or other means (e.g. accessibility mats, boardwalk, etc.). The number of paths will be considered and minimized to reduce fragmentation and disturbance to natural values.
  • Restoration efforts in vegetated areas not considered significant will aim to enhance the ecological health and biodiversity along the shoreline; restoration will focus on sand retention, stabilization and habitat creation through native vegetation planting or other methods (see section 3.10).
• Ontario Parks will not remove vegetation or maintain vegetation-free areas on behalf of adjacent landowners who have obtained authorizations issued under the PPCRA (e.g. work permits).
• During the peak season, large natural objects washed in from Georgian Bay (e.g. branches, stumps, etc.) will be removed from areas where the beach is raked. Removal methods and timing will aim to minimize disturbance to the park’s natural heritage values and park visitors.
• During the shoulder and off seasons, natural objects (e.g. branches, stumps, etc.) will be left where they lie wherever possible. If objects require removal, a site specific visit will be conducted to assist in determining a course of action based on the specific situation.
• Natural objects (e.g. branches, stumps, etc.) washed on shore within areas where access is restricted for resource management purposes (e.g. Piping Plover habitat, the Point in Beach Area 1) will be left in place unless they pose a public safety hazard.

3.5.2 Species at risk, significant species and significant vegetation communities

Species at Risk:

Species at Risk are those species that are listed on the Species at Risk Ontario (SARO) List. This is the official list of endangered, threatened, special concern and extirpated animals and plants in Ontario. Species-specific information in this section relates to SAR known to be present in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park as of 2017. This information may change as new SAR arrive or are found in the park, as the status of a species that are present in the park is changed on the SARO list, as new SAR are designated, or as SAR are determined to be no longer present in the park.

Known SAR along the beach include Piping Plovers, which have nested along the beach for several years, Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus), which travel, forage and carry out life processes along the beach, and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), which have been observed foraging along the shoreline by Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) staff. Additionally, Eastern Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus), which are present in the Dunes area of the park, may use the beach area as part of their territory according to the MNRF.

The Piping Plovers at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park are currently ranked as endangered on the SARO List. They are part of the Great Lakes breeding population within the prairie sub-species (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus). The 2005 sighting and 2008 successful nesting of the Piping Plover in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park was significant as this species had not successfully nested in the southern Great Lakes area of Ontario in over 30 years (Toews et al., 2008). Since 2005, Piping Plovers have continued to return annually, and have nested successfully, at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Piping Plover and its habitat are protected under the provincial ESA as well as under the federal SARA. These statutes also protect the areas Piping Plovers require to carry out their life processes including breeding, nesting, feeding, foraging and areas required for rearing their young. Protected habitat areas may incorporate large sections of beach (e.g. up to 1km around a nest). The ESA protects habitat by prohibiting activities that would damage or destroy the features and functions present in that area.

Monarch Butterflies are currently ranked as a special concern species on the SARO List, and are known to travel along the beach. Ontario Parks' policy states that special concern species that have been identified on the SARO list are given the same level of protection as with endangered and threatened species.

Barn Swallows are currently ranked as a threatened species on the SARO list. Barn Swallows are small birds that often live in proximity to humans; they build distinctive mud nests almost exclusively on human-made structures. Between 1966 and 2009, the numbers of these birds decreased by 65%.

Actions:

• Ontario Parks will adjust and adapt management practices as required to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, policies and recovery initiatives for SAR within Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Adjustments may be required due to new occurrences of SAR within the beach management plan area, or if new management techniques or approaches are recommended for the protection or recovery of a SAR under the ESA and/or SARA.
• In order to improve early detection and monitoring, Ontario Parks will provide training and information to field staff to assist staff members in identifying SAR, and to ensure staff members are knowledgeable of the present or potentially present SAR within the park.
• Piping Plover protection (in addition to ESA and SARA protection requirements):
  • Beach raking will not occur in known Piping Plover habitat, unless raking is part of habitat improvements undertaken in accordance with approved guidelines or recommendations under the ESA and/or SARA for the protection or recovery of the species.
  • Subject to the actions in section 3.5, natural objects will generally be left in place in known Piping Plover habitat.
  • Vegetation removal, pathway creation, and other disturbance will not occur within known Piping Plover habitat, unless the action is specifically for the protection or recovery of the species.
  • Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will continue to support the established Piping Plover volunteer and educational outreach programs, or other relevant programs or initiatives related to Piping Plover that may evolve over the lifespan of this plan.
• Monarch Butterfly protection:
  • Disturbance to vegetation (e.g. milkweed, wildflowers) required by Monarchs to carry out life processes will be minimized.
  • Should ornamental gardens be proposed within the area covered by this plan, native plants that support pollinators and butterflies will be used.

Significant species, vegetation communities and ecological associations:

A significant species, vegetation community or ecological association is:

• A species, community or ecological association assigned a globally, nationally or provincially rare ranking by NatureServe or the NHIC^{footnote ii[ii]}.
• A wetland designated as provincially significant through the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System.

Significant species may or may not be listed on the SARO list; however, due to their global, national or provincial ranking, consideration must be given to ensure appropriate management of these features.

Actions:

• Disturbance to significant species, communities or ecological associations will be minimized through a variety of methods such as access control, fencing, signs, educational or outreach initiatives, limiting fragmentation, establishing appropriate raking patterns, or minimizing vehicle use that could negatively affect these features.
• Protection, restoration and/or enhancement of significant species, vegetation communities and ecological systems will be undertaken where feasible in accordance with section 3.10.
• See section 3.5.1 for actions related to vegetation management.

3.5.3 Detritus

Detritus is a naturally occurring organic material carried by wind and currents from Georgian Bay and deposited along the Wasaga Beach shoreline.

The source of this material is from the many watercourses and rivers that flow into the bay, as well as the nearshore environment in Nottawasaga Bay. It is non-toxic and primarily consists of leaf matter and other natural debris from wetlands and river bottoms; a major source for this material is from the internationally and provincially significant Minesing Wetland upstream on the Nottawasaga River.

Detritus is continuously deposited, but is most noticeable in large amounts after severe weather causing increased wave action on the lake. The deposition of detritus is unpredictable and may occur at any of the beach areas within the provincial park. The material can range in depth and occur as a liquid/solid mass intermittently along the shoreline.

Detritus provides food and shelter for many species, including the endangered Piping Plover; however, accumulation of detritus is a concern for recreational users for aesthetic reasons.

Management of detritus has typically involved collecting the organic material, allowing it to dry along the shoreline, and then removing it by means of heavy equipment. In the past, detritus was trucked offsite outside of the park or piled at the edge of the foredunes.

Detritus collection and removal poses many challenges for park staff. The collection of detritus is time consuming, requires heavy equipment on the beach, and removes sand along with the detritus. Disposal of detritus along the foredunes results in the addition of organic material to mineral (sand) substrate, which is undesirable as it alters the composition of the sand dune and allows unwanted vegetation to become established, while disposal offsite is time consuming and results in trucking and/or disposal costs.

Actions:

• Continue to prepare and provide educational and outreach material with information about detritus (e.g. composition, source, safety, ecological function, best management practices (BMP) for leaf and yard waste disposal for local residents, particularly those living along the Nottawasaga River, etc.).
• All detritus will be left in place along the Point and in known Piping Plover habitat.
• Seasonal variation in management of detritus:
  • Larger quantities of detritus washed onto the beach will be removed during peak season only.
  • Removal of larger quantities of detritus may occur outside of peak season under limited circumstances, such as a special event or long weekend.
  • Smaller quantities of detritus will be left in place along the entire shoreline throughout the entire year to allow for nutrient cycling.
• Using the results of the 2016 ecological inventory of the shoreline, and other relevant information, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will update the approach to detritus disposal. Detritus will continue to be collected from the shoreline as noted above and disposed of so as to minimize negative impacts to natural and recreational values in the park.

3.5.4 Wildlife mortality events

Dead birds, fish and other wildlife can regularly wash up on the beach. In some circumstances, such as during events of botulism on the lake, large numbers of carcasses of dead fish and birds wash up along the shoreline and cannot be adequately collected manually, so are collected using other methods (e.g. tractor / loader, etc.).

Actions:

• Collect and dispose of dead birds, fish and other biological hazards appropriately following applicable MNRF and other protocols, policies and BMPs.

3.6 Invasive species management

Invasive species are harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health (Government of Canada 2004; OMNR, 2012). Invasive species degrade habitats and can out-compete native species. This is of particular concern in areas that protect SAR, significant values, and in sensitive or specialized habitats. The government of Ontario is addressing the threat of invasive species through legislation with the Invasive Species Act. Ontario Parks will comply with applicable legislation, regulation and policy associated with the Invasive Species Act and other relevant legislation.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has undertaken several invasive species management projects, many with the substantial support of volunteers. Within the beach system, the primary focus has been on management and control of invasive Phragmites or Common Reed (Phragmites australis subsp. australis); however other invasive species are also present. Ontario Parks will continue to manage and, where possible, eradicate invasive species within Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Actions:

• Because no single control mechanism is effective on its own for the control of most invasive species, an adaptive, integrated pest management approach will be taken to manage invasive species. Control actions may include any combination of cultural control (e.g. burning), mechanical control (e.g. mowing) and chemical control (e.g. pesticide application). Ontario Parks will undertake chemical control of invasive species with pesticide(s) and method(s) of application, as approved in Ontario through the appropriate regulatory body (e.g. Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency and the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change).
• Where available, MNRF or other federal or provincial government legislation, regulation, policy or guidance documents will be used to inform management activities (including but not limited to tools, approaches and methods). Ontario Parks may also consider species-specific or landscape BMPs, including, but not limited to, those produced by the Ontario Invasive Plant Council or Ontario Invasive Centre.
• In order to improve early detection and monitoring, Ontario Parks will continue to provide training and information to field staff to assist staff members in identifying invasive species, and to ensure staff members are knowledgeable of the risks, mitigation and control methods associated with present or potentially present invasive species. Periodic monitoring by park staff will allow for early detection, which will enable park staff to take action while populations are small. It will also allow Ontario Parks to determine whether control efforts are effective and to apply that knowledge to future control approaches.
• Invasive species educational and outreach programs will continue to be developed and delivered to interested park visitors, members of the public and stakeholders (see section 3.9). For example, the park could encourage members of the public to report invasive species occurrences to Early Detection Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) Ontario, which is a provincial invasive species tracking database.
• Wasaga Beach Provincial Park staff will continue to work with stakeholders and partner agencies on invasive species control. For example, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has collaborated with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) on invasive species control and outreach.
• Volunteer events will continue to be organized to control invasive species, subject to available resources and staffing.
• In order to prevent or reduce the risk of invasive species spread, machinery used within provincial parks will be cleaned according to the Clean Equipment Protocol for Industry; this is particularly important when moving vehicles and equipment from a location with a known population of invasive species to other locations.

3.7 Special events

A special event is any activity within a provincial park which is organized and carried out primarily by any individual, group, agency or association that is not sponsored by the MNRF.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has hosted many successful special events in keeping with the PPCRA. While some special events, such as Wasaga Under Siege, have been organized by the Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park with support from park staff, others are organized by external proponents. Regardless of whom is organizing a specific event, if it is occurring within the regulated park boundary, all events and organizers are bound by the PPCRA, its regulations and Ontario Parks' policies as well as all other applicable legislation, regulations and policies.

A wide range of proposals for special events are received by the park each year. Special events play a significant role in the Town of Wasaga Beach’s tourism strategy. Ontario Parks is committed to continuing to work closely with the Town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario Provincial Police, emergency services and others in relation to special events.

Actions:

• Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will consider authorizing special events that contribute to achieving the overall park goal and objectives, beach management goal, or that align with the purpose and objectives of the PPCRA, and are in keeping with park policies and other applicable legislation (e.g. ESA, Environmental Assessment Act, etc.).
• Special events that do not align with the beach management goal or the purpose or objectives of the PPCRA will not be considered.
• Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will continue to work with the Town of Wasaga Beach, and other proponents and agencies, to facilitate the delivery of appropriate, high quality special events within the park.
• Health and safety of all those involved in special events is very important; efforts will be made to ensure the health and safety of park staff, park users, and others involved in the delivery or management of special events.

3.8 Collaborative and partnership opportunities

Ontario Parks will work collaboratively with Indigenous communities, the Town of Wasaga Beach, interested groups, members of the public and stakeholders to ensure they play an important role in the operation and management of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Actions:

• Partnerships and collaborative efforts that contribute to achieving the beach management goal may be considered.
• Activities undertaken as part of a partnership or collaborative effort must be in keeping with the PPCRA, its regulations, Ontario Parks' policies and values, and all other applicable legislation.
• Partnerships or collaborative efforts may be subject to approval and may require the parties to enter into a legal agreement with the Crown.

3.9 Education and outreach initiatives

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has beach stewardship and education programs, and offers a variety of outreach opportunities to park visitors, local residents and cottagers each summer. Understanding and appreciation among beach users of habitat protection and enhancement, and of the cultural significance of the beach, can be promoted through education in the park.

Providing educational opportunities in locations that are commonly used by park visitors may help to prevent unnecessary disturbance to the park’s natural values and promote conservation (e.g. signs indicating sensitive or significant ecosystems).

Actions:

• As resources become available, create interpretive signage for the wildlife and bird viewing areas along beach access walkways to educate park users on the varied values of the beach and dune system (e.g. signs could include images and/or information for shorebird identification, shorebird biology / behaviour, other wildlife (dragonflies and damselflies), invasive species, dune and beach importance and habitat, cultural heritage resources, etc.).
• Include information in communications materials (including social media) about the importance of the beach and dune systems for both recreation and wildlife habitat, and how timing and location of beach management is important to providing for both values.
• Organize, promote, deliver or facilitate beach stewardship events and activities that contribute to achieving the beach management goal and implementing beach management secondary plan actions.

3.10 Habitat protection, restoration and enhancement

The PPCRA states that Ontario Parks shall maintain and consider restoration of ecological integrity (see companion document). Wasaga Beach Provincial Park approaches this legal responsibility in a variety of ways; for example, sand trapping through fencing or vegetation protection, habitat improvements through planting native species, or limiting disturbance to sensitive areas or species through access control. Invasive species management, which also restores and enhances habitats, is discussed in section 3.6. These activities aim to achieve the beach management goal, including protecting biodiversity and enabling natural processes to occur, where possible, while providing recreational opportunities.

While not a comprehensive list of potential activities, habitat protection, restoration and enhancement within Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will focus on improving the health of the overall beach and dune system, wetlands and wetland plant communities, wild pollinator habitat, Monarch Butterfly habitat, shorebird habitat, and adapting to or mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Habitat protection, restoration and enhancement approaches may include the following:

Dune Restoration: The planting of native grass species such as Marram Grass (Ammophila breviligulata) along the foredune areas helps stabilize sand dunes. Marram Grass is able to tolerate sand burial, extreme heat and extreme cold but nevertheless remains extremely sensitive to human disturbances. Restoration efforts along the beach primarily focus on ensuring healthy foredune function within the most active region of a beach and dune ecosystem.

Vegetation protection: Vegetation contributes significantly to the stability of dunes, sand retention, erosion mitigation, and biodiversity of the beach and dune system. See section 3.5.1 for vegetation management actions.

Fencing: Sand fences can be useful for trapping sand, where vegetation alone is inadequate, and for control of pedestrian traffic. Directing pedestrian traffic to appropriate locations and access paths can assist in the protection of sensitive plants and habitats, including areas where restoration is being undertaken. Similar to the effect of vegetation, sand fences slow the wind velocity near the surface to reduce sand movement, resulting in sand accumulation at the base of the fence (Rogers and Nash 2003).

Access control : Access control (temporary or permanent) is an effective way of reducing negative impacts on significant areas. It is achieved through fencing, signs, education, or other methods such as accessible mats. In addition to restricting access to certain areas, habitat protection can be achieved by directing use away from sensitive areas by increasing active management in areas that are already highly disturbed.

Actions:

• Undertake restoration and habitat enhancement as described above and in keeping with goals and objectives of the PPCRA and park policies, subject to the following points:
  • In areas where backshore property is part of the provincial park, major and minor restoration activities will be considered and balanced with recreational opportunities.
  • In areas where backshore property is privately owned, major restoration activities on adjacent park property will generally not be considered unless explicit, written support for restoration is received by the park superintendent from the adjacent private property owner. This is required due to the potential for adjacent landowners to apply for and receive authorization under the PPCRA to maintain vegetation within the regulated park boundary in front of their private residences. Minor restoration activities may be considered in areas with adjacent private property; consideration will ensure that park and other resources are directed to the most appropriate and effective projects with the best outlook for long-term success.
• Disturbance to naturally vegetated areas, including wetlands and dunes, will be minimized where possible through a variety of methods such as access control, fencing, signs, educational or outreach initiatives, limiting fragmentation, establishing appropriate raking patterns, or minimizing vehicle use.
• Design walkways with a meandering or curving pattern to prevent sand build-up and sand-scouring. Fencing could be used to control access (e.g. restricting access to certain areas or defining paths).
• Encourage establishment or re-establishment of native dune species where possible (e.g. marram grass). This may occur via planting or natural succession.
• Sand fencing may be installed to encourage dune growth, sand retention along the beach, and to prevent the movement of sand to unwanted areas (e.g. parking areas, private property). The location, length and orientation of fencing will be assessed annually or as required to ensure functionality and restoration or sand trapping objectives are being met.

3.11 Areas available for specific uses or recreational activities

As previously described in the scope section (see companion document), whether or not an activity or use is or will be permitted in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will not be addressed in this secondary plan. Instead, permitted uses will be addressed in the overarching park management planning process that is currently underway. This section is aimed at providing broad direction for setting aside a portion of the beach in order to provide a designated space for a specific use or recreational activity.

Provided a use or activity is permitted under the PPCRA, other applicable legislation and regulations, and park policies, the following actions will guide implementation:

Actions:

• The designation of areas for specific uses or recreational activities will generally be avoided as most of the beach is considered a multi-use area; however, some circumstances may arise where designating a specific area for a use or activity is the most appropriate approach.
• The park superintendent will use applicable legislation, regulations, policies and professional judgment to guide the establishment of areas for specific recreational activities or uses.
• Health and safety of park users is very important; efforts will be made to ensure the health and safety of park staff and users.
• Designating areas for specific uses is an operational decision and does not generally require consultation or involvement. However, Ontario Parks may seek to work collaboratively with a particular user group, organization, stakeholders, or members of the public to understand the concerns, spatial requirements or other conditions necessary to undertake a specific use or activity.
• Where feasible and appropriate, signs, fences, maps, educational material or other means of differentiation will be used to ensure park visitors and staff members are aware of the recreational activities that may occur in a given area.

3.12 Inventory, monitoring and research

There are many inventory, monitoring and research needs related to beach and dune management in order to manage the park’s values adaptively. Partners will be an important resource for meeting these needs.

Research and monitoring by academia or other appropriate agencies will complement the periodic monitoring of the beach and natural heritage values undertaken by park staff. Inventory, monitoring and research related to topics such as recreational trends or activities, shorebird activities along the beachfront, detritus, vegetation species, vegetation communities, cultural heritage values, beach and dune ecosystems, groundwater flows and quality, or other natural heritage values will be encouraged.

All inventory, monitoring and research activity will be subject to the PPCRA and other applicable legislation and policies.

Actions:

• Use adaptive management strategies based on information collected through inventory, monitoring and research to modify operational approaches where needed to protect park values, including recreational values and opportunities, and cultural and natural heritage values.
• Continue to provide training to park staff on the identification of invasive species and species at risk (refer to sections 3.6 and 3.5.2, respectively)

4 Implementation

Years of ongoing implementation has demonstrated that beach management at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is an evolving practice.

The implementation of projects and actions outlined in this secondary plan will:

• meet the requirements of applicable legislation, regulations and policies including those outlined in the planning and management context section in the companion background information document.
• be authorized by the park superintendent and carried out by park staff. Some operational elements of this plan may be undertaken by a third party, or partner, with written authorization by the park superintendent.
• be dependent upon the availability of funding and unforeseeable changes in priorities or policy.
• comply with the requirements of the Class EA-PPCR. This may include further opportunities for consultation.
• use an adaptive approach to management activities; this allows for modification of management strategies in response to new information, and monitoring and analyzing the results of past actions and experiences. Adaptive management is a systematic, practical approach to improving park management.

Implementation of management actions outlined in this secondary plan may be influenced by other factors. These include:

• Staffing and resource availability (daily and seasonal fluctuations).
• Equipment availability and condition.
• Emergencies or emerging priorities requiring response/action (e.g. medical, health, safety or enforcement responses).
• Weather events and daily weather conditions.
• Water level fluctuations (daily, seasonally, or longer term). Water levels may limit or expand the park’s ability or create opportunities to undertake certain management activities.
• Recreational demand (e.g. long weekends, high or low visitation, etc.).
• Natural or biological factors (e.g. heavy detritus load, wildlife mortality event, presence or absence of a SAR or significant natural heritage value, rocks, trees, creeks/wet areas, etc.).
• Special events and other commitments for management (e.g. restoration events).

5 Plan amendment and review

This plan may be reviewed or amended to address changing issues or conditions. Formal examination of this plan will occur in keeping with the requirements of the PPCRA, and will be harmonized with the examination of the overall park management plan. During the examination, which is guided by Ontario’s Protected Areas Planning Manual and associated guidelines, the plan will be evaluated to determine whether it is still relevant, effective and current or requires an adjustment or replacement.

- End Beach Management Secondary Plan -

Companion background information document

I Planning and management context

Planning and management of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will be consistent with all relevant legislation, regulations and provincial policies, including but not limited to the Provincial Parks and Conservations Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA), Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), 1990, Invasive Species Act (ISA), 2015, and the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA), 2005.

Other initiatives may also be considered in the management of the park; these initiatives could include but are not limited to recreational and tourism opportunities such as cycling and trail initiatives, as well as mental or physical health and wellness programs; climate change actions; invasive species management; best management practices (BMPs); wetland protection; wild pollinator habitat protection; and landscape level planning.

II The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA)

The Provincial Parks Act guided the management of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park from the establishment of the park in 1959 until 2007. In 2007, the Provincial Parks Act was replaced with the PPCRA. The PPCRA has two principles that guide all aspects of planning and management of Ontario’s system of provincial parks, including planning and management of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park:

1. Maintenance of ecological integrity shall be the first priority and the restoration of ecological integrity shall be considered.
2. Opportunities for consultation shall be provided.

The PPCRA defines ecological integrity as referring to a condition in which biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, and the composition and abundance of native species and biological communities, are characteristic of their natural regions, and rates of change and ecosystem processes are unimpeded. Simply stated, ecosystems have integrity when their lands, waters, native species and natural processes are intact.

The PPCRA also outlines four objectives for establishing and managing provincial parks:

1. To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.
2. To provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable recreation opportunities and encourage associated economic benefits.
3. To provide opportunities for residents of Ontario and visitors to increase their knowledge and appreciation of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage.
4. To facilitate scientific research and to provide points of reference to support monitoring of ecological change on the broader landscape.

Beach management in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park contributes to all four provincial park objectives.

III Tourism, recreation and park planning

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park provides outstanding recreational and educational opportunities based on the natural and cultural features within the park; some of these features include the beach and public access to the shoreline and Georgian Bay, the park’s topography, Nancy Island Historic Site, and the Nottawasaga River. These features contribute significantly to the tourism opportunities within the local area, region and province as a whole.

Tourism is not specifically mentioned in the mandate of Ontario’s provincial park system (see section II of the companion background information document, above). However, providing ecologically sustainable recreation and heritage appreciation opportunities, and encouraging associated economic benefits, are parts of the provincial park system’s mandate. For planning purposes at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, tourism is considered an outcome or result of providing high quality, diverse, ecologically sustainable recreational and educational opportunities that are attractive to a wide range of people.

Tourism and park visitation contribute to the economic viability of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario’s provincial park system, and the local community, region and province. Through this planning process, guidance has been developed to protect the park’s recreational and heritage appreciation opportunities along the beach, which in turn supports tourism. The upcoming development of a park management plan will provide an opportunity to evaluate and prepare direction regarding park infrastructure, as well as other topics that are out of scope of the beach management secondary plan, such as zoning or permitted uses that will sustain or enhance tourism.

IV Park Master Plan (1978)

Site-specific direction for managing the park is provided in the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Master Plan, which was approved in 1978. During the planning process, extensive public consultation confirmed that the beach is highly valued for the recreational opportunities it provides. As such, the park was classified as a recreational class park, and the entire beach is identified as development zone.

The master plan includes a description of the park’s known natural and cultural features. The master plan focuses on recreation within the park, but policies related to how the beach will be managed in support of recreation are not explicitly provided in the plan.

Ontario Parks is in the process of replacing the 1978 master plan with a new park management plan to guide the protection, operation and development of the entire park. The beach management secondary plan has been approved and implemented prior to completion of the park management plan.

V Scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

The area covered by this secondary plan is shown in appendix 1, figures 3-10. Beaches and dunes are interdependent, and are best managed as one system; it is essential to consider the cumulative effects of management activities on different elements within the system as well as on the system as a whole. This document refers to 'beach management', which should be interpreted to mean managing the entire active beach and dune system. The non-active dunes and shoreline features within the park (i.e., parabolic dunes and ancient beach ridges) are not included in this definition and are, therefore, outside the scope of this document.

This secondary plan will expand on direction in the existing master plan to provide more detailed direction for managing the beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park in keeping with current legislation, regulations, policies and government priorities.

Information related to budgeting, staffing levels, and operational schedules will not be included in this document.

Park areas and topics that are outside the scope of this secondary plan include: the Dunes area of the park (i.e. parabolic dunes and ancient beach ridges), Ross' Woods, Oakview Woods, Schoonertown, Nancy Island, Wasaga Trail Center, parking areas, picnic areas, park infrastructure (e.g. washrooms, utilities, facilities, boardwalk, trails, playgrounds, etc.), zoning and permitted uses. Permitted uses, zoning and other out-of-scope topics will be addressed in the overarching park management planning process that is currently underway.

VI Background and historical context: beach management practices

Beach management practices within Wasaga Beach Provincial Park are directed by applicable legislation and policies, and influenced by input received from local stakeholders, and park users.

Refer to section 3 in the secondary plan for information about beach management areas and seasons. In addition to enforcement of park rules, legislation and regulations, current beach management practices include:

• Litter picking and garbage removal
• Hazard removal (e.g. large debris washed in from the lake)
• Mechanical beach grooming (e.g. raking)
• Detritus removal
• Sand management (e.g. fencing to trap blowing sand)
• Access control for operational purposes (e.g. installation of accessible mats), or to protect SAR, sensitive habitat or species
• Educational signs, programs, and outreach
• Restoration or enhancement of natural habitats
• Invasive species management
• Storm water and erosion management

The above activities are undertaken in support of recreational opportunities, special events, and protecting and enhancing the park’s natural heritage values. Active management has occurred in all beach areas; however, some areas receive a higher degree of alteration and management than others due to recreational demand or the presence of a significant species or plant community.

Implementation of the activities listed above is dynamic and is influenced by a number of factors including water levels, weather conditions, snow and frost melting conditions, visitation levels, identified issues, stakeholder requests, and staff and equipment resourcing.

In addition to the short-term impacts noted above, longer-term changes in beach management have occurred over the years. For example, cars and vehicles used to drive and park along the beach; this created safety hazards for park visitors and had negative environmental impacts. More recently, Ontario Parks has adjusted beach management practices to provide better protection of natural heritage values and processes while continuing to provide high quality recreational opportunities.

Outreach and interpretive initiatives have increased public awareness of the value of good beach stewardship. This has resulted in many successful resource management initiatives that improve the health of the beach and dune system such as: invasive species removal and management, native species planting, and SAR protection initiatives (particularly relating to Piping Plover). The success of many of these initiatives is the result of the interest and hard work of many volunteers from the local community and elsewhere.

VII Beach and dune description and values

Beaches are products of erosion and the recovery of sand as shorelines adjust to the forces shaping them (Rogers and Nash 2003). To successfully interpret and manage beach areas, it is important to first understand the physical aspects, processes, history and uses that influence this system.

There are biological, social and economic benefits resulting from the proper management and protection of a beach and dune system (Donnelly 2013). Coastal beach and dune ecosystems play an important role in their surrounding communities, including: providing recreational opportunities, protecting property from flooding during storms or high water events, protecting against wind erosion and drifting sand during low water events, providing habitat for rare or specialized species, and nutrient cycling. There is also economic benefit to local communities from tourism: maintaining an intact beach and dune ecosystem is considered the least costly way to maintain a high quality recreational beach for future generations.

Below is a brief summary of the recreational, cultural and natural heritage values associated with the beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

VIII Recreational and cultural values

The beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is a significant cultural and recreational value for the local municipality, stakeholders, and park users. Wasaga Beach is generally viewed as a highly desirable beach destination within Ontario and is considered one of the top beaches in Canada. It has been celebrated for many years as the longest freshwater beach in the world.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park receives over one million visitors each year. While the provincial park at large offers recreational opportunities during the winter, such as skiing and snowshoeing, most visitation occurs in the summer season and is focused on the outstanding recreational opportunities along the shoreline. Given the park’s location within the Town of Wasaga Beach, visitation and exceptional recreational values, Ontario Parks recognizes the importance of the beach to the local community in that it provides opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and benefit from the recreational and natural heritage values within the park.

Since the early 1900s, the beach has attracted tourists and residents to the area. There have been a variety of activities and events over the years at Wasaga Beach. The Town of Wasaga Beach continues to link its cultural identity, recreational opportunities, such as special events, and economic development with the beach.

As demonstrated in survey results, visitation patterns and comments received at the park, many of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park’s visitors are interested in swimming, sunbathing and beach sports; they prefer sandy, dry, flat beach areas, and primarily use the beaches where the most active management occurs.

Special events most often occur in areas that receive the highest degree of active management, as those locations are directly across from the commercial sections of the town that focus on beach tourism.

Walking, swimming and sunbathing occur along the entire length of the beach, except where access is controlled for resource management or operational purposes. Survey results and comments from park users also demonstrate that some park visitors are interested in the park’s natural heritage features, such as bird species, wildlife, and natural settings.

High water levels result in a narrow strip of land between the water’s edge and adjacent private or developed areas. In the 1980s when water levels were very high, some areas of the park’s shoreline were completely covered by water, leaving no land between the water’s edge and adjacent private or developed property. Conversely, low water levels result in a wide span of land between the water’s edge and adjacent private or developed areas.

Expectations of some park users and local stakeholders associated with recreation have not always been realized. From a recreational perspective, portions of the beach are often wetter than desired; this wetness is due in part to current and past management practices inside and outside the park, as well as the height of the water table. This is especially true in the west beach areas and near municipal storm water outflows.

IX Natural heritage values

The shoreline of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is an active freshwater coastal beach and dune system. This dynamic system is made up of the nearshore lake environment, flat beach area, sand dunes and dune slacks.

The flat beach area varies along the shoreline and extends from the water’s edge to the foredunes or adjacent developed areas. This area varies in width and slope along the 14km shoreline, and from wetland to dry beach.

Hydrological conditions affect whether the beach is dry or wet. Dry beaches have low moisture and nutrient content in the sand, and no water on the surface. Wet beaches have high moisture content in the sand, and can be wet or have pooled water on the surface. Where the surface of the sand is close to the water table, the beach is wet; the beach is dry where there is greater distance between the surface of the sand and the water table (Crowe 2009). This area can vary greatly in its extent, depending on Lake Huron water levels which fluctuate widely from year to year.

A sand dune is a ridge or series of ridges of varying height, formed by the deposition of sand as a result of the forces of wind and water, and modified by vegetation, natural objects (e.g. driftwood) and topography. Sand dunes are dynamic, as the modifying forces are constantly altering the shape, location and characteristics of the dune. In a natural dune system, foredunes are the first dunes landward of the water’s edge, and exhibit some stabilization as the result of vegetation growth. Storm wave action may reach inland far enough to erode some, or all, of these features (Peach 2003).

Great Lakes Beachgrass Dunes are present in both Canada and the United States of America, including along sections of the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park shoreline. These features are ranked globally by NatureServe^{footnote iii[iii]} as G4 (rounding of G3G5 range ranking); the status of G4 ranking is "Apparently Secure", which is defined as "uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors".

However, within Ontario, open, active freshwater coastal dunes are rare; Great Lakes Beachgrass Dunes in Ontario are ranked by NHIC at a provincial scale as S2. The status of S2 ranking is "Provincially Imperilled", which is defined as "at high risk of extinction or elimination due to very restricted range, very few populations, steep declines, or other factors." The total area covered by coastal freshwater dunes in Ontario is less than 1800 ha .

The depressed areas between or behind dune ridges are referred to as dune slacks . These areas are typically hollows or valleys between ridges that indicate periods of time between successive ridge development.

The freshwater coastal beach and dune system in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park offers a variety of different soil, moisture, temperature and growing conditions and is therefore able to support a mosaic of vegetation community types^{footnote iv[iv]}, dry beaches and sand dunes intermixed with wet slacks. Very few species of plants can adapt to beach and dune habitats; those that do must tolerate extreme temperature and drought conditions, as well as burial of stems and roots by shifting sand.

Wetland communities play an important role in providing habitats supporting diverse wildlife and aquatic food webs, as well as water filtration, flood abatement and erosion control.

Vegetation plays an important role in the beach and dune system by trapping blowing sand, and acting to stabilize the beach and dunes to reduce erosion effects (Rogers and Nash 2003).

Detailed inventory and evaluation of the vegetation community types and species, including wetland evaluation, is ongoing to determine their condition and significance; this information will be used to adaptively manage natural heritage values along the beach, which will be particularly important in determining appropriate climate change mitigation or adaptation actions.

References

Bakowsky, W.D. and B.L. Henson. 2014. Rare Communities of Ontario: Freshwater Coastal Dunes. Natural Heritage Information Centre. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Bakowsky. 1996. Natural Heritage Resources of Ontario: Vegetation Communities of Southern Ontario. Natural Heritage Information Centre. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Crowe, A., 2009. Why do different beaches have different types of vegetation? Unpublished presentation. National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada. Burlington, Ontario.

Davidson, R.J., 1990. Protecting and Managing Great Lakes Coastal Dunes in Ontario. Parks and Natural Heritage Policy Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Toronto, Ontario.

Donnelly, P., 2013. Southern Georgian Bay Shoreline Stewardship Guide by the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 2015. Park Statistics 2014. Ontario Parks. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. Presqu'ile Provincial Park Management Plan. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources. 2009. Presqu'ile Provincial Park Resource Management Implementation Plan: Beach and Dune. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Peach, Geoffrey H. 2003. Beach and Dune Guidance Manual for Saugeen Shores. The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation.

Rogers, S. and D. Nash. 2003. The Dune Book. North Carolina Sea Grant.

Shrivastava, H. N. 1972. The Detritus Problem at Wasaga Beach. Ontario Division of Parks, Ministry of Natural Resources, Research Branch.

Toews, B.A., K.J. Toews, and C.E.J. Cartwright. 2008. The successful nesting of the Piping Plover at Sauble Beach marks a return to the Canadian Great Lakes after 30 years. Ontario Birds 26:16-49.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2009. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Action Plan for the non-native genetic strain of Common Reed (Phragmites australis). Unpublished report.

Kor, P. S. G. 1997. An Earth Science Inventory and Evaluation of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks, Central Zone. Open File Earth Science Report 9702.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1978. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Master Plan.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2014. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Terms of Reference [for management planning].

North-South Environmental Inc. 2005. Detailed Life Science Inventory of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Unpublished report prepared for Ontario Parks, Central Zone, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2014. Ontario Protected Areas Planning Manual and Guidelines: 2014 Edition. Peterborough. Queen’s printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2005. A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. Queen’s printer for Ontario.

Saugeen Shores Beach Maintenance Plan. 2016

Dugan, J.E & D.M. Hubbard. 2010. Loss of Coastal Strand Habitat in Southern California: The Role of Beach Grooming. Estuaries & Coasts. Vol. 33:1 pp. 67-77

Nordstrom, K.F. et al. 2012. Effects of beach raking and sand fences on dune dimensions and morphology. Geomorphology. 179:15 pp. 106-115

Kinzelman, J.L. et al. 2004. The effect of two mechanical beach grooming strategies on Escherichia coli density in beach sand at southwestern Lake Michigan beach. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 7(3): 425-432.

Schlacher, T.A. et al. 2008. Sandy beach ecosystems: key features, sampling issues, management challenges and climate change impacts. Marine Ecology, 29 (Suppl. 1): 70-90

Peach, G. 2006. Management of Lake Huron’s Beach and Dune Ecosystems: Building up from the Grassroots. The Great Lakes Geographer, Vol. 13. Special Issue on Great Lakes Shoreline Management

Appendix 1: maps

Figure 1: Regional context

Enlarge figure 1: Regional context

Figure 2: Park boundary

Enlarge figure 2: Park Boundary

Figure 3: Allenwood Beach area and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 3: Allenwood Beach Area and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 4: New Wasaga Beach area and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 4: New Wasaga Beach area and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 5: Beach area 1 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 5: Beach area 1 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 6: beach area 2 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 6: beach area 2 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 7: beach area 3 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 6: beach area 2 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 8: beach area 4 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 8: beach area 4 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 9: beach area 5 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 9: beach area 5 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Figure 10: beach area 6 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Enlarge figure 10: beach area 6 and scope of Beach Management Secondary Plan

Appendix 2: summary of consultation

Thank you to the Town of Wasaga Beach for generously helping to facilitate consultation through website postings and mailing assistance.

Notification methods:

• Over 6000 notices were sent by email or letter to Ontario Parks' mandatory planning contact list, stakeholders, local landowners, and local business owners. Notices were sent with follow up phone calls to potential affected Indigenous communities.
• Newspaper ads were placed in the Wasaga Sun and Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin
• The Town of Wasaga Beach posted notice on their website
• A policy proposal notice was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Environmental Registry from January 5 - February 23, 2017 (comment period was to end February 21 but was extended due to technical difficulties with the EBR website)
• The proposed Beach Management Secondary Plan was publicly available online on the Ontario government website, and hard copies were mailed as requested.

Results:

A total of 146 responses were received during consultation on the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Proposed Beach Management Secondary Plan; 144 responses were received from stakeholders and members of the public, while responses were received from two of the six Indigenous communities contacted. It is evident from the comments that many have a strong history with and personal connection to the beach.

There is consensus that the beach should be protected for future generations and that tourism and public access continue to be important considerations for the park. Many comments identified the need for continued resourcing to maintain and improve the beach and the importance of providing high quality beach experiences with the facilities to support those experiences. Comments regarding environmental considerations included keeping the sand on the beach, removing invasive species, continued detritus removal with consideration given to alternate methods for removal and disposal, and interest in reducing the amount of garbage/waste produced at the park. The municipal storm water outflows which drain out to the beach were also of concern.

The areas of disagreement primarily focused on beach vegetation and the amount of raked beach (some would like the entire beach raked, many would like more raking than currently occurs, while others would like less or no raking; some would like to see no vegetation, others would like some vegetation, and others would like the beach left completely natural). There is a divide among those who see the purpose of the park being to protect the resources present, those who would like the beach to be maintained to a high degree for recreational purposes, and those who would like to see a balance between protection of natural and recreational values. There is also disagreement among those who provided comments regarding the level of protection provided to Piping Plover habitat and how the area is maintained.

Some comments related to topics that are outside the scope of the plan, such as operational practices (ATV use, raking equipment, beach operating seasons, maintenance schedules, and permitted uses for dogs, kiteboarding, etc.). These comments will be reviewed by Ontario Parks staff and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park managers and may be used to inform operational practices or future discussions with park users, stakeholders or others, where appropriate.

All comments were considered in the development of the final plan. Comments resulted in more explicit explanation in the goal statement of the importance of providing public beach access and protecting ecological integrity, correction of errors, clarification of actions, clarification of how tourism is considered and incorporated into park planning, and improvements to beach management actions (e.g. committing to updating the park’s approach to detritus management and disposal to minimize negative impacts; expanding options for sand management; enabling raking for Piping Plover habitat improvements if consistent with recommendations for the protection or recovery of the species).