Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change. This is the final beach report for summer 2020, as health units do not test water quality in September.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, going to the beach is a different experience this year. Public health officials recommend staying home if you feel sick, visiting a beach close to your home to avoid unnecessary travel, bringing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and maintaining at least two metres of physical distance from other beachgoers.

As of Friday, August 28th, the following beach has been posted as unsafe for swimming:

• Rotary Head Lake Beach in Haliburton County (based on August 25 sample)

The following beaches are closed until further notice due to COVID-19:

• Hiawatha in Hiawatha First Nation (Peterborough County)
• Crowe Bridge Park in Trent Hills (Northumberland County)
• Victoria Park in Cobourg (Northumberland County)
• Little Lake in Cramahe (Northumberland County)
• Sandy Bay Beach in Alnwick Haldimand (Northumberland County)

Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.

In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.

Peterborough City/County

City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)

Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date 27-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Beavermead (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 27-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)

Back Dam Beach (902 Rock Rd., Warsaw, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Buckhorn (John Street, Buckhorn) – sample date 25-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Rd, Harvey) – sample date 25-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Curve Lake Lance Woods Park (Whetung St E, Curve Lake) – sample date 25-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Curve Lake Henry’s Gumming (Chemong St S, Curve Lake) – sample date 25-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Douro (205 Douro Second Line, Douro-Dummer) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Ennismore (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 26-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Hiawatha (1 Lakeshore Rd, Hiawatha) – CLOSED for the season

Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 27-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Norwood (12 Belmont St, Norwood) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Sandy Lake (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 25-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Selwyn (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Rd, South Monaghan) – sample date 27-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Warsaw Caves (289 Caves Rd, Warsaw) – sample date 24-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)

Belmont Lake (376 Miles of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Chandos Beach (Hwy 620, North Kawartha) – sample date 20-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Methuen) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Rd, Woodview) – sample date 13-Aug-2020 – SAFE

White’s Beach (Clearview Drive, Galway) – sample date 20-Aug-2020 – SAFE

City of Kawartha Lakes

Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Burnt River Beach – Somerville – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Centennial Beach – Verulam – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Centennial Park West – Eldon – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Burnt River Four Mile Lake – Somerville – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Head Lake – Laxton – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – sample date August 24- SAFE

Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Riverview Beach Park – Bobycaygeon – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – sample date August 4 – SAFE

Valentia Beach (Sandbar Beach) – Valentia – sample date August 25- SAFE

Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Haliburton County

Bissett Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Dorsett Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Eagle Lake – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Forsters Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Glamor Lake Park – Highland East – sample date August 18 – SAFE

Gooderham Lake – Highland East – sample date August 18 – SAFE

Haliburton Lake South – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – UNSAFE

Wilbermere Lake – Highland East – sample date August 21 – SAFE

Horseshoe Lake – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Rotary Park Main – Minden – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Paudash Lake – Highland East – sample date August 18 – SAFE

West Gilford Pine Lake – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Sand Point – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Sandy Cove – Dysart et al – sample date August 25 – SAFE

Kashagauigamog Lake (Silver Lake) – Dysart et al – sample date August 18 – SAFE

Twelve Mile Beach – Minden – sample date August 11 – SAFE

Northumberland County

Bewdley Optimist Park – Hamilton – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Crowe Bridge Park – Trent Hills – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Hastings Waterfront South – Trent Hills – sample date August 24 – SAFE

Little Lake – Cramahe – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 24 – SAFE

East Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 24 – SAFE

West Beach – Port Hope – sample date August 26 SAFE

Sandy Bay Beach – Alnwick Haldimand – CLOSED due to COVID-19

Victoria Park – Cobourg – CLOSED for summer 2020 due to COVID-19

Wicklow Beach – Alnwick Haldimand – sample date August 24 – SAFE

It is normal to feel some anxiety about a new year at school, but this year is different. These emotions are heightened because of COVID-19 and the impact it is having on back-to-school planning. Parents, caretakers, children, and youth across the country face potentially stressful decisions and changes.

If your children are returning this fall, you may be thinking about how they will get to and from school. Active School Travel Peterborough has always promoted walking and wheeling as some of the most beneficial school travel options for the health and safety of students, communities, and the environment. These benefits are even more precious during the ongoing pandemic.

Many recognize the benefits to including active transportation for the trip to and from school, but think that it will not work with their schedule. While dropping your kids off at school on the way to work may seem like the most convenient option, you may actually find that spending a little extra time and energy to include active transportation in your routine can have positive impacts on your whole family.

Active School Travel Peterborough has put together this list of five reasons active transportation is worth considering while you prepare to return to school, especially this year.

1. Enjoy the benefits of physical activity

Regardless of age, self-care is crucial for us all and being active regularly is a key component of self-care.

“Physical activity needs to be part of your self-care routine,” as the folks at ParticipACTION point out. “You don’t have to be a gym rat to reap the benefits, as research consistently highlights that even small bouts of daily physical activity (in five to 10 minute intervals) can have immediate positive impacts on your mood. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use physical activity as a powerful tool to feel better.”

Children and youth require at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. For some, this is difficult to fit into a normal day. Walking, biking or scootering to and from school, even for short trips, can add much-needed activity and get kids moving. The World Health Organization says that even a bit of physical activity is good for our mental health and improves overall feelings.

2. Get outdoors

Children who spend time in nature tend to be happier and healthier, according to 2019 report from the City of Peterborough on child development.

Being outside allows families to easily apply physical distancing measures while enjoying social interactions.

Being active outside also keeps you feeling connected to nature and turn the trip to and from school into a chance to relax and reconnect with family, friends, and the world around you.

Educators around the world are encouraging the use of outdoor environments as vibrant extensions of the classroom. These outdoor classes benefit learning, health, and wellness, according to Evergreen, a non-profit dedicated to creating sustainable urban environments.

3. Kick-start your brain

Being active can help you feel more energetic, improve your confidence, reduce stress and even improve your sleep, according to Peterborough Public Health.

Teachers have even observed that students who walk or bike to school arrive more alert and ready to learn.

4. Make school zones safer by decreasing the number of vehicles

Anyone who has experienced a school zone full of personal vehicles during arrival or departure time understands that these conditions are not ideal for safety, stress levels, and the environment of the whole school community. Clearing cars out of the school zone leaves safe space for the flow of school buses and pedestrians.

Fewer cars near schools means families can feel more confident in the safety of their children entering and exiting the school grounds or navigating the streets on the way to school. Reducing vehicle traffic can also improve the air quality around schools and reduce the time school staff would have to spend directing traffic.

For those who must drive, Park n’ Stride is an excellent option. Park a few blocks outside the school zone and walk the rest of the way to school. Park n’ Stride decreases congestion in the school zone and allows students to get a bit of physical activity.

5. Create a routine and reduce stress

Even under normal circumstances morning routines and getting to school can be a source of anxiety or friction. Add a pandemic to the mix and even little things may feel overwhelming. In these times, we can all benefit from smooth morning routines that can improve our mood, health, and safety.

Planning for active school travel can help everyone enjoy the little things and reduce stress. Figure out which route to school works best for your family and practice it ahead of time. Get the kids involved with the planning and preparation as they are are likely feeling a little out of sorts with all the new guidelines, procedures, and rules. It goes a long way to allow them to have some control over certain aspects of their day.

Active School Travel Peterborough is continuing to work with schools and our community partners on fun and informative active school travel programs. We want all students and families to have a safe, wonderful school year, filled with learning and joy.

For more information on Active School Travel Peterborough programs and resources, visit peterboroughmoves.com/programs/active-and-safe-routes-to-school/ or email jaime.akiyama@greenup.on.ca.