Erosion along lakeshore forces removal of part of Kincardine Lions boardwalk

A portion of the Kincardine Lions boardwalk is sitting under the trees in Macpherson Park, so it doesn't fall onto the beach and float out into Lake Huron.

Last week, it was discovered that the bank along the shoreline had eroded substantially, causing concerns about the stability of the boardwalk, just north of the flag pole on Harbour Street.

The Lions Club assisted the Kincardine parks department in removing this portion of boardwalk, since the club had constructed it and knew the best way to take it apart, said Lions publicity chairman George Ling. "We helped move sections of the boardwalk before they fell onto the beach."

He noted that the ownership of the boardwalk was turned over to the municipality upon completion, so the municipality is responsible for upkeep and maintenance.


"Once the erosion problem is addressed, the municipality will be responsible to see that it is restored," said Ling, adding that any assistance from the Lions Club would be addressed at that time. "The remedial action to repair the retaining wall at the beach and lost areas of the park will not be a small undertaking and will probably be extremely costly."

Recreation director Karen Kieffer said staff from the parks and recreation, and public works departments are holding a site meeting soon, with representatives from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and municipal engineer B.M. Ross and Associates, to discuss the problem and come up with solutions to the erosion issue.

Years ago, a similar situation happened to Lover's Lane and Saugeen Street, also located along the lakeshore in Kincardine.