The following is an update provided by the Municipality of Highlands East on Thursday April 2:
Geocaching Mineral Collection Boat Launches & Public Docks in Highlands East
On March 30 2020 the Provincial government extended the Declaration of Emergency by issuing a new emergency order to close all outdoor recreational amenities such as sports fields and playgrounds. This new order closes all communal or shared public or private outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario including but not limited to playgrounds sports fields basketball and tennis courts off-leash dog parks beaches skateboard and BMX parks picnic areas outdoor community gardens park shelters outdoor exercise equipment condo parks and gardens and other outdoor recreational amenities. These actions are based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and because of this we are implementing additional safety measures to help slow the spread of the virus and keep our community safe.
Geocaching and Mineral Collecting In an effort to maintain the health and wellness of our community and to adhere to the directive put in place by the Provincial government geocaching and the mineral collection sites are prohibited and closed to our community. Geocaches involve the touching of GPS units and the caches themselves; preventing proper disinfection and sanitization after each use. This is a preventative measure for the well-being of all members in our community and to promote the proper physical distancing practices. Signage will be posted at the collection sites and mineral collection waivers will not be issued by the Municipal Office during this time.
Water Access Points (Boat Launches) & Public Docks The various water access points (boat launches) throughout Highlands East will remain open to the public at this time. Many of these water accesses do not have high traffic volumes or what would be considered “high touch surface areas.” All public docks throughout Highlands East will remain on municipal property and will not be put into the local lakes. The docks are not being put into the water bodies at this time to prevent groups from forming at these locations and for the health and well-being of our residents.
