Bond Lake ~ hiking trail disruption

Photo by Barry Wallace

Public access prohibited on Bond Lake Trail

I was surprised recently to see signs (pictured above) on the western side of Bond Lake, just off Yonge Street in north Richmond Hill, saying that "Public Access is Prohibited" and that the area is now patrolled and that the area is  an "Environmentally Sensitive Area".   Although boot-prints in the snow would indicate that the signs are being ignored by some, the fact of the matter is that it must be a frustrating disappointment for hikers that truly appreciate this nature trail.   The lake and the shoreline trail are getting more and more visitors, like me, from the King City area and many other parts of York Region, and prohibiting access is a major blow to walkers, hikers and bird-watchers.   What a shame.

An ancient Toronto and York Railway building on the Bond Lake shore has become a recent latter-day target for graffiti artists.

Toronto Region Conservation Authority workers visit the site to do forest management maintenance.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace