You asked: Can I kayak in Newmarket's Fairy Lake?

Local experts answer your questions

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 2, 2019
Kim Zarzour

Can we kayak on Fairy Lake?

Athol Hart remembers when he was a youth, swimming, floating on homemade rafts and playing fetch with the dogs in Fairy Lake.

As chair of Heritage Newmarket, the local historian wanted to put a canoe on the lake for the Rebel Heartland events recently. However, he was informed by the town’s department of recreation and culture that even an empty canoe would not be allowed --which is why he was surprised to see posts on social media from a local councillor extolling the beauty of a downtown Newmarket paddle.

“A peaceful kayak trip up and down the Holland River into our Fairy Lake. We are so lucky to have so many choices for recreation, right in our downtown,” Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kwapis posted on Facebook.

It wasn’t that long ago Peter Stanton, 54, a prominent local businessperson, drowned while paddling in the waterway connected to the Holland River --a tragedy that shocked the town and left many convinced that it is not safe for recreational activity.

Kwapis said he took “all the preventive measures” when he launched his kayak in the pond in the centre of the town this summer, adding “can’t miss out on such an incredible gift we have in Newmarket.”

While there is no specific bylaw prohibiting kayaking/boating in Newmarket, Peter Noehammer, the town's development and infrastructure commissioner, said the town advises against conducting any water-related activities on Fairy Lake due to the unpredictability of the water levels and water flow.

There are signs posted to remind residents to take extra caution when in and around water courses, he said.

These signs are meant to caution people who choose to participate in water-related activities in the water, to get out of the water and walk along the trail for a safer re-entry point.

“I have no doubt the town discourages kayaking on the lake, especially in the northern portion, because of the obvious waterfall danger,” Kwapis said. “I would not kayak there as well and would certainly discourage anyone else to do so. That northern portion is very dangerous and getting close to it would be careless and very risky.”

Anyone using these waterways uses them at their own risk, he added.

Rainfall amounts can change water levels and speeds very quickly, making kayaking even more challenging, he said.