Town officials in Port Hawkesbury are receiving mixed feedback about a destination posted online that has been used for camping, which was brought to their attention in early July.
Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton says the ”look-off” area on Granville St., where it intersects with Prince St., has seen a ”significant volume” of campers spending the night; it has listed as a free camping site online.
She says a campsite is needed in the town, but not with liability and zoning concerns.
Chisholm-Beaton tells The Hawk councillors voted to restrict parking access to parallel to roadside, with signs and boulders at a special council meeting July 6.
“The reason that we used the boulders was because we had (them) already on the property, and it was a cost-efficient and also a time-efficient way to deal with the matter at hand.”
Chisholm-Beaton says the topic will be brought up at their next council meeting in September, but expects picnic tables could be added before then to allow visitors to enjoy the site.
She says there’s no way to police potential incidents in the area, so it’d be hard to hold people accountable.
Some residents have voiced concerns on social media, saying they want further access to their park back; others say signs, once in place, are all that should be required.
Chisholm-Beaton says there could be some other potential changes; the boulders and signs are temporary solutions.
“I think there may be a slight amendment made to allow for some accessible parking so that folks that have some mobility issues can get off the road if they want to get off and enjoy the property as a look-off.”
Chisholm-Beaton says it’s not a recreation site as of now, but that can also be revisited.