McKinnon Lane access point, located on Shipley Avenue in Port Elgin. Town photo
Jane Glenn | April 10, 2026
Looking to increase clarity, usability and safety, Saugeen Shores Council is moving forward with a two-phase plan to improve some access points to Saugeen Shores public beaches.
Parks and Facilities Manager Adam Parsons, did a photographic inventory of all access points, detailing how they are currently identified and maintained. The report also recommended actions to "improve usability and clarity of the 53 access points that already exist along the 18 kilometres of Lake Huron waterfront in Saugeen Shores."
Improvements for 21 of the 53 locations were recommended, however a two-phased approach was suggested by staff.
Phase one outlined "immediate, inexpensive, short-term improvements," such as maintenance, new signage and delineation for 14 access points, Parsons said, adding that many of the recommendations made in a previous report from 2022 are still relevant and being implemented, they "just require more ongoing maintenance."
Defining pathways with posts, clearing minor vegetation and sand encroachment can be done by Town staff or routine contractors, Parsons explained, while enhanced signage will "create a consistent, recognizable standard across established points."
Phase one fixes would fall under the 2026 operating budget, requiring no additional capital. These recommendations improve safety and access to the shoreline "while respecting the natural environment and staying within our resources," Parsons said. The work would be carried out through the rest of the 2026 season.
Seven locations have been earmarked for the second phase of the project, which will focus on resolving conflicting interests, boundary disputes, encroachment and confirmation of ownership. These are access points where it's unclear if it is public or private, "which can lead to confusion for visitors and residents," Parsons explained. Additionally, these clarifications can also help protect the Town from "unnecessary liability, disputes, or making premature investments."
Saugeen Councillor Dave Myette thanked Parsons for the thorough report, which included photos of every access point. He also expressed some skepticism over resolving issues at the phase two locations. "Overall, I'd say good luck with trying to get the ones open that aren't open, many have tried before you and I'm sure many will try after you," he said.
Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt echoed the concern that there could be a challenging road ahead. "Some haven't been used in a lot of years," Myatt said, adding that some contain gates or other obstacles. Myatt offered "100% support for what you are doing" but added it wasn't going to be easy with some of them.
"We need to protect them," Myatt said.
Several council members expressed concerns to Parsons about particular access points, such as 40 Metcalfe Street, which dead ends at Shore Road, and one that Southampton Councillor John Divinski said would benefit from handrailing. Fellow Southampton Councillor Cheryl Grace said more monitoring and upkeep could improve the busy Island Street access point, which she said "can become quite challenging to navigate" after thicker sand patches fall inwards onto the pathway.
Councillor Myette pointed out that the photo in the report for access point #11, Gobles Grove, "must have been prior to high water levels of 2016-17, when we had to reconstruct the whole area with new stones." He said it "brought back fond memories" of when he'd been able to park at the Gobles Grove, "possibly 40-50 spots and now there are none." With water levels down now, Myette wondered if some stones could come out and parking spots could return. Parsons replied that he didn't want to spoil any surprises, but that they were "doing a divisional report on that very topic."
Port Elgin Councillor Bud Halpin said he appreciated the "good common sense" of having universal signage "to help us keep and control our laneways."
"I'm really glad for the next phase, where we're going to look after the ownership issue with these ones that have been encroached upon, because I think we need to jealously protect our public access to our beaches," said Halpin.
From the staff report, phase one of the project outlined immediate, short-term improvements for 14 access points and would fall under the 2026 operating budget. Click image for larger view.
Phase two earmarked seven locations and focussed on boundary disputes, encroachment and conflicting interests. Click image for larger view.
Pictures and recommendations for each beach access location can be found beginning on page 83 of the agenda package.
