Water-Based Activities
lockers are probably the best way to start, as revenues from the rentals likely would not be enough for a business to be interested, or for the Town to pay staff to operate it. With the lockers, revenues from the rentals can be used for maintenance of the equipment, and any surplus could be donated to the Lake Lisgar Revitalization Committee for Lake ecosystem protection efforts and water quality monitoring.
Lake Lisgar is a prominent feature in the Town of Tillsonburg. The lake’s large footprint borders Memorial Park, the Lake Lisgar Water Park, and the Gibson House which features an elevated viewing platform for visitors to passively enjoy. Currently, Lake Lisgar is used for fishing and paddling and does not authorize motorized vehicles. The Town should encourage the advancement and development of water-based activities (e.g. canoeing, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, water safety) at Lake Lisgar to increase opportunities for water-based recreation. One way of approaching this could be by offering paddle craft rentals to provide more recreation opportunities on the Lake. Concerns about increased use leading to increased sedimentation in the lake can be addressed in a number of ways: limiting the number of craft available (just 2 or 3 craft is enough to start), limiting the time frame of availability, and limiting the area accessible to paddlers, or any combination of these. There are a number of options for how to approach providing rentals. An EOI can be released seeking private parties to operate the rentals; the Town could provide the rentals directly (purchasing equipment and hiring a summer student); or the Town can provide lockers (see Figure 2-3) that would not require staffing. The Town should start with a small number of rentals and monitor for any negative effects on the lake. Given this approach, the
Figure 2-3: iPaddle Port is one example of a self- serve kayak rental product
Recommendation
PE 10. Explore opportunities to introduce non-motorized water-based programs (e.g. canoe, kayak) on Lake Lisgar.
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Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
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