Hamilton reopens Waterfront Trail, parking lots beside parks

The city of Hamilton has announced the reopening of the Waterfront Trail but the mayor says residents must still practice physical distancing.

In a statement issued early Friday, Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the trail, which runs between Confederation Park and the Burlington Lift Bridge, will reopen on Saturday along with parking lots that are adjacent to parks.

Eisenberger says he made the decision in close consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and the Emergency Operations Centre.

Playground equipment, picnic benches, sports fields, courts and any other amenities still remain closed at this time.

The mayor says activities that are allowed within the parks include playing catch, kicking a ball, letting your kids run around, walking or running on a track within a park, having a picnic on the grass, personal yoga practice, flying a kite, and exercising. Residents can only be in groups of up to five people from the same household.

“Exercising and maintaining an active lifestyle is an important part of keeping both physically and mentally healthy during this pandemic. I am thrilled residents will now be able to enjoy our waterfront trail while continuing to practice physical distancing,” said Eisenberger.

The mayor says all escarpment stairs are still closed as well as Albion Falls. The parking lots at Albion Falls will also remain closed.

Hamilton Public Health Services continues to recommend limiting activities to members of your own household to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintaining a physical distance of two metres from those others.

“I appreciate the community’s efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and their patience as we continue to look at safely reopening additional amenities,” said Eisenberger.