Photo of Gypsy Lane presented to Whitewater Region Council on February 1st, 2023.
The Township of Whitewater Region will start the process to allow snowmobiles to use Gypsy Lane. Last month, concerns were raised from residents about snowmobiles travelling on the road where they shouldn’t be. Annette Gilchrist presented to council and raised concerns about safety, speeding, trespassing on private property, liability and costs to the Township as the road could be torn up. Gilchrist says there were no snowmobiles on Gypsy Lane at any time from 2009 to 2017.
The Township was asked to properly inform snowmobile riders where to safely and legally drive. Snowmobiles can be driven along public roads, but have to be kept as far away from the road as possible between the shoulder and fence line, also known as the ditch. On Gypsy Lane the culverts make in impossible for them to travel in the ditches. Local municipalities can pass bylaws that regulate or prohibit snowmobiles anywhere within their boundaries, on or off public roads.
A road allowance connects Gypsy Lane to the B114 trail and many snowmobilers use it to enter onto Muskrat Lake off of Summerfield Drive.
Heather Corrigan presented to council on February 1st, 2023, and wanted to open conversations between the Township and local snowmobile club. Corrigan says talking with the President of the Whitewater Sno-Goers, the organization would be open to discussions with the township to turn the road allowance off Gypsy Lane into an OFSC trail. Corrigan says snowmobilers provide an economic boost to the region and would be in favour of posting signs reminding everyone to slow down.
Councillor Chris Olmstead says Gypsy Lane is a much safer route than Forester Falls Road for snowmobiles and commented that this issue has been before council for three terms. Olmstead says it’s time for council to act. Councillor Michael Moore said it’s time for the Township to investigate to the best of their ability and proceed. Mayor Neil Nicholson asked staff to coordinate with the OPP and OFSC and implement any educational measures to make the trail available to snowmobiles and residents.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
