Ash tree removal may affect ski season at Stoney Island Conservation Area

The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) announced back in the summer that it will be cutting down all the ash trees at Stoney Island Conservation Area, located on Bruce County Road 23 (B-line), north of the Town of Kincardine.

The SVCA is removing about 7,400 trees for safety reasons, but due to wet weather throughout the fall, the work has yet to begin.

John Melinz of the Kincardine Cross-Country Ski Club says because the SVCA is using big equipment to remove the trees, the trails will be closed to everyone.

“What we don’t know is how long this will take,” he says. “The SVCA is waiting for a good frost and hard frozen earth before starting, in order to minimize the damage. However, that may mean no ski season – we shall have to wait and see.”

Until more is known about the timing of this work, Melinz is advising people not to take out a ski club membership and to stay off the trails until they are opened by the SVCA.

“Everyone will be pleased to hear that the Sakari Bridge – which has seen better days – has been replaced with a steel bridge by the SVCA,” he says.

Meanwhile, with Stoney Island closed, Melinz says the public can go classical skiing on the golf course or snowshoeing in Geddes Park. If people are planning a trip to Sawmills Trails in Hepworth (an hour’s drive away), they may want to get a group together to travel there.

“Let’s hope things work out,” says Melinz.



The new steel Sakari Bridge at Stoney Island Conservation Area; photo by Terry Douglas