Cobourg’s West Beach

When the report on the Waterfront eventually gets released, it will no doubt include something about Cobourg’s natural West Beach.  Let’s hope it recommends that it’s mostly left alone.  Popular with residents and little known by visitors, it has recently had three benches added to the boardwalk.  For several years, the Cobourg Beach Society was a volunteer organization that tried to get some action on extending the boardwalk the full length of the beach (all the way to Cobourg Creek) but two years ago it folded.  It did have some left-over funds and it worked with the Town to use those to pay for building the benches.  The Town used its own staff and wood salvaged from trees that had been cut down in Cobourg for whatever reason.  The result is a very welcome addition.

West Beach bench - photo by Ken Wren
West Beach bench – photo by Ken Wren

The extensions were added to the boardwalk last Spring, the benches built over the last 2 years and then installed last week.  Bob Cairns, past President of the Cobourg Beach Society provided information on their involvement.  A plaque acknowledging their contribution is mounted on the seat back – nicely inset so it won’t irritate the backs of anyone using  the benches.

The photo at right is of four ladies who are regular “walkers” on the boardwalk and who said that the benches were a great idea.  The photos below give some idea of what the West Beach and the boardwalk is like.

For anyone who wants to avoid the crowds, this would be a good place to come and walk or just relax.

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Kyle
5 years ago

Actually there are a number of lakefront properties in Cobourg that have “water lots” attached to them and extend property ownership a distance out into the water. The edge of the water is not a property line and walking into the water does not give immunity from trespassing. The Ontario Government was considering a bill to allow public transverse allong the water line but I do not know what ever happened to it.

Rob Yorki
5 years ago

I have always loved the contrast between the busy, sandy East Beach and the rugged, natural West Beach. The West Beach almost feels like a secret that only Cobourgians know about….Both of our beaches should be protected for today and for generations to come AND when possible, expanded.

5 years ago

It was such a great idea to have these benches nice to sit and view the lake It is also sad that an old lady gives such harassment to any one who wants to walk the beach does she really want and need all that beach ,do to water levels she gains more beach every year How selfish can one be live and let live

Yvonne michalski
Reply to  Robert
5 years ago

Huh?? What are you talking about? Please proof read and try again.

Rusty Brown
Reply to  Yvonne michalski
5 years ago

A certain property owner claimed her property went all the way to the water line and so fenced off “her” property and prevented anyone from walking on “her” beach westward past a certain point.

gerinator
Reply to  Robert
5 years ago

Answer: Pull up the pants to the knees and take a refreshing stroll through the water. Not their property. I did and no trouble, at least that I heard.

Waterboy
Reply to  gerinator
5 years ago

I think it’s just to the waters edge so I quite literally walk at the edge of the water. Perhaps I’m wrong about that? Eitherway it’s quite hilarious how their property fluctuates with the water level.

Bill Thompson
5 years ago
CiW
5 years ago

It’s only a matter of time.

Suzanne Delanty
5 years ago

A big thank you to former Mayor Peter Delanty who initiated the walk way and helped procur important areas of land ,along the West Beach during his term as Mayor! ,

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Suzanne Delanty
5 years ago

I’ve done that a couple times, right to his face, because he deserved it.

Pamela Jackson
Reply to  Suzanne Delanty
5 years ago

In my six years on Council, 2000 – 2006 I do remember Mayor Delanty’s passionate dedication
to securing more and more of the west beach for all Cobourgers to enjoy. He was a fine Mayor and he made many important advancements, this one included, in his time as Mayor.

Frenchy
Reply to  Pamela Jackson
5 years ago

Cleary, Peter is testing the waters here. No doubt in his bid to run again.

Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

Well done Cobourg Beach Society!

Mr Sandman
5 years ago

It really is too bad the west best is tarnished by a couple of the selfish “private property” people standing on the backs of a dubious claim. Don’t get me wrong I love the west beach but there is a certain soul-suckingness when you run into those damned signs. I for one walk in the skim of the water on those properties. An old bat came out yelling at me one day, couldn’t discern what she was saying, so I just carried on my way.

Dubious
Reply to  Mr Sandman
5 years ago

What do you consider “dubious” about their claim? Some people call it a deed!

Deborah OConnor
5 years ago

The West Beach is a wild wonderland. Some 60+ years ago my mother, her friends, and assorted children used to take us there to swim. Living on Ball Street made it the closest beach we could walk to and we kids loved it. Now I love that it has stayed in the same undeveloped state since those sunny days in the early 50s. I hope that never changes.

Rusty Brown
Reply to  Deborah OConnor
5 years ago

My recollection exactly: living on Ball St. in the 1950s and being able to go down to the West Beach on a whim for the afternoon, and being able to take the dog down there in the evening for a swim. We took it for granted at the time, not realizing just what a special situation it was to be a kid and have all that right there.

Wally Keeler
5 years ago

Cobourg Ecology Garden has also installed a couple more benches, as well as stem their trees that became unstable. Aside from the benches provided by the Cobourg Beach Society, the natural disorder of things washed ashore several logs for private perching. No buried diapers here. The west beach provides peace, quiet, serenity, natural beauty, even on long summer weekends and it’s only minutes walk away. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155096566172396&set=a.41462052395.63737.579682395&type=3&theater

Graham
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

As a walker with mobility difficulties the benches are really wonderful. Although it is still a pleasure to find a good piece of driftwood to sit on and be a bump on a log for a while contemplating the water.

Rusty Brown
Reply to  Graham
5 years ago

I’ve noticed the some people even light small bonfires and roast things on them on the July 01 evening while waiting for the fireworks to start. I don’t know if that happens at other times at day’s end on the West Beach. Seems harmless enough, but probably too good to be allowed to last.