Sandy Beach in Hudson, Que. closed for the summer
The town of Hudson, Que. has closed Sandy Beach for the summer, just as the weather is starting to be warm enough to enjoy it.
The beach is on private property and so too are the trails leading up to the popular destination.
The town made the announcement on Friday.
"It is a disappointment for many families already since the pathways were closed on March 11," said Hudson Mayor Chloe Hutchison.
The private land where the beach is located is owned by a developer. Concrete blocks are in place along with signage to keep people away.
"I think this is a good wake up call for the town as well, to take on our responsibilities and to ensure that people respect private property," said Hutchison.
For decades, there has been talk about development near Sandy Beach. Much of the land is owned by Nicanco Holdings and recently the Quebec Environment Ministry pulled a permit for the developer to backfill a portion of the land.
The town said buying the private section of the beach to make it public would be a costly option.
"But reality is, we have so much work in terms of infrastructure deficit, looking after public assets, roads, [and] buildings, we can't simply put that aside for another 20 years because we want to purchase the entire space," said Hutchison.
The town said it wants to add a path on public land to the beach, but that would mean going through wetlands and complying with environmental regulations.
CTV News tried to reach Nicanco, but did not hear back.
The mayor said she is in favour of development in the area, providing it is done respectfully.
"Development done in balance, in equilibrium with, I think, the environment, but also social values," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
How to keep insects out of your house, according to an entomologist and other experts
Now that temperatures have warmed up even more this spring, you may be anxious at the thought of bugs invading your home or you may already be battling the pests. Here are expert tips on how to keep them away.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Ford thanks Ottawa as minister cites 'deep concerns' over Toronto's decriminalization
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking the federal government for rejecting Toronto's long-stalled pitch to decriminalize the possession of illegal drugs.
G7 officials make progress but no final deal on money for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets
Finance officials from the Group of Seven rich democracies said they had moved toward agreement on a U.S. proposal to squeeze more money for Ukraine from Russian assets frozen in their countries. But the ministers left a final deal to be worked out ahead of a June summit of national leaders.
What we know about the young missionaries and religious leader killed in Haiti
The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from the U.S. were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.
After toddler's near drowning in backyard pool, Quebec mom has warning for parents
A Quebec mother who saved her child from the bottom of a backyard pool last weekend has a message for other families.