Kincardine shoreline protection project develops a few holes

Kincardine's shoreline protection project, along the Lake Huron coastline at Macpherson Park, looks more like a lunar landscape than a beach.

Friday, caution tape was run along the west side of the boardwalk after there were holes discovered in the newly-restored shoreline. A sign also cautions people not to walk along the slope because there are holes in it and rocks sticking up out of it. People are to use the two access points - at the flag pole and below the swings at Macpherson Park.

Adam Weishar, public works director, said that with respect to signage and warnings, as part of the project and style of armour stone placed to lessen the wave action and impact, there are voids left between some of the areas.

"Staff recently met to review and derive a path forward for monitoring and placement of additional material to fill in the voids," he said. "During construction, a decision was made to fill voids with sand, and we will continue to use that same method.

"The signage directing pedestrians to the walkways is to avoid having people walk all across the uneven surfaces; we installed a few walkway areas for that purpose."

Recreation director Karen Kieffer added that staff is currently filling the holes and she anticipates this will be completed within the next two weeks. 

"Once the holes are filled to our satisfaction, the caution tape will be removed," she said. "The posted signs are temporary. We will evaluate the need for more permanent signs once the project is complete and we determine if further signage is required."

The $300,000 project was completed this spring and has been somewhat controversial, given concerns from residents that it could obscure the view along the parking lot that serves Macpherson Park and Dunsmoor Park, at the bottom of Lambton Street, Kincardine.