May 1, 2025
Dear Long Point Community Members,
You may have noticed some changes to municipal walkway 53 on Beach Avenue at Long Point.
This Beach Access Improvement Pilot Project was completed and paid for by the Long Point Biosphere’s North Shore Resilience project (www.northshoreresilience.ca). The project was funded by the Canada Water Agency and municipal partners.
The beach access upgrade involves creating an “S-shaped” path from Beach Avenue to the public beach through the installation of post and rope fencing. This walkway was designed to allow for future municipal maintenance of wind-blown sand (if necessary) and was constructed out of durable materials including laminated rope and cedar posts. The post and rope installation will be followed by information signs and planting of native grass species behind the fences, including Great Lakes Beachgrass, Little Bluestem, and Switchgrass. These are the natural grass species associated with dune ecosystems at Long Point, and they will support the building of small dunes along the perimeter of the path, behind the fence.
These dunes and grasses will reduce the amount of wind-blown sand transported on to the beach path, minimizing future maintenance costs. They will also protect the surrounding homes from wind-blown sand, as well as the trees at the end of the path with exposed root systems. This is an example of a “Nature-based Solution” which mimics natural systems, uses native plants, and improves biodiversity.
The project is being completed with the support of neighbouring landowners, Norfolk County, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Canada Water Agency.
The design is based on proven results in other regions across Canada, including Lake Huron: www.lakehuron.ca/beaches-and-dunes
We will be planting the grasses behind the fences May 8 and 9, and we would invite you to stop by to see the progress and to chat about the project.
