Signs at the entrances to Innisfil Beach Park state the rules in pictograms: Dogs on leashes are permitted. Owners must pick up pet poop. Visitors are asked to throw trash into the bins provided.
And both ATVs and Snowmobiles are banned.
A Town of Innisfil spokesperson confirmed that ATVs and snowmobiles are not permitted on parkland unless otherwise posted, under a 2016 town Bylaw – although there are exceptions.
“We do allow ATVs/snowmobiles on the paved areas (where a car would normally go), and we see snowmobiles access the lake via the ramp (at the Innisfil Beach Park boat launch) in winter, which we permit,” said the spokesperson.
But what about the ATVs and Snowmobiles that have cut trails over grassy areas in the park, compacting the snow and creating icy ruts?
Not allowed.
“Generally, they are not permitted in parks on grassy areas and pedestrian pathways,” said Barrie Vickers, Chief Building Official.
It is his Community Development Standards Branch (CDSB), that is tasked with monitoring and enforcement, and responding to complaints.
But how can CDSB enforce the rules? By the time complaints come in, the snowmobile or ATV is usually long gone.
“Good question,” said Vickers. “The practicality of chasing snowmobiles – we’re not on snowmobiles ourselves, we’re not on ATVs.”
While there are a number of cameras installed in Innisfil Beach Park, they are mostly used for monitoring during the summer months, and are not in the best locations to capture rapidly moving motorized vehicles.
The enforcement branch has to rely on information provided by witnesses and complainants as well as the good will of riders.
“It’s like anything – there’s laws, and if people chose not to obey the laws, that’s an issue,” said Vickers. “There are a lot of responsible snowmobile riders and ATV riders, but there’s always the road riders.”
Community Standards Officer Mitch Harris said that the Town receives about 5 complaints a year, regarding snowmobiles and ATVs.
“We’re not always there at the time, but we do get descriptions, and we are able to follow up,” Harris said, urging anyone who spots a snowmobile cutting through a prohibited area to call the Town’s Customer Service line, and provide as much information as possible – including color of the vehicle, location and direction of travel.
Considering how rapidly the vehicles can move, he acknowledged that it’s unlikely an observer would be able to get a licence plate.
There was one incident last winter, when “we did get a fairly good description of a snowmobile and that led us to a track – and that led us back to a residence,” Harris said.
The fine for a ticket is $190; in court, that can increase to a maximum of $5,000 – but Community Standards Officers prefer to focus on rider education.
In the described incident, the rider was warned, and agreed to comply.
Vickers has a certain amount of sympathy for snowmobilers, who may have a big investment in their machines but neither the trailer nor the time to head north, to use the trails.
The snowmobile trails that used to exist in Innisfil east of Highway 400 are now all closed, and climate change is also having an impact.
“Weather is not doing the sport any favours,” Vickers noted. “It’s tougher and tougher.”
That said, there are good reasons for banning the motorized vehicles from parks. Not only is there the potential for damage to the sod and newly-planted seedlings, “there’s a possible hazard to people trying to enjoy the park.”
Anyone who spots a snowmobile or ATV driving on a pedestrian pathway or cutting through a park is asked to contact Innisfil Customer Service at 705-436-3710; choose Option 5 for After Hours complaints.
Just a note: ATVs and snowmobiles are permitted on Innisfil roads, as long as they obey the speed limit of 20 kmph on roads posted 50 kmph, and 50 kmph on roads posted for higher speeds. They are also banned between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. – but issues with the motorized off-road vehicles on town roads are not a matter for Community Standards, but the South Simcoe Police.
