The document proposes converting Cabot Head Road into a wilderness trail to address access issues while protecting the local environment and charities. Key points: 1) Cabot Head Road is closed but uncontrolled access is problematic, and three local charities rely on access but are in financial peril. 2) Converting the road to a trail would control access and visitation to support the charities and protect Dyer's Bay, while respecting landowner rights. 3) A proposed approach includes controlled access points, monitoring use, no expansion or active marketing, and addressing landowner concerns to balance interests.

1. Cabot Head Trail
Project Overview

2. Introduction
1

3. 2
Current State
• Cabot Head Road is closed, but uncontrolled access is a problem
• Three local charities are unable to fulfill their missions & are in financial peril:
Depends upon access for cottage “rental ” income to sustain
salary cost of station scientist conducting Canadian-significant
bird migration monitoring
Without visitor revenue the Lighthouse site is falling into
disrepair. Without a viable solution Fisheries & Oceans will
likely tear it down
Biosphere depends on access for major fundraiser Gravel Gran
Fondo and other EcoAdventures to fund conservation work
Northern Bruce community is also denied the possibility of
sustainable enjoyment of Cabot Head Road shoreline
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4. 3
Consequences of No Action
Without collective action to develop a long-
term solution for Cabot Head Road:
• Trespassing on private land will continue
while illegal and dangerous camping /
campfires will remain uncontrolled
• Damage to environmentally sensitive areas
will increase
• Garbage will continue to accumulate along
private roads
• $124,000 grant will to the community will
be forfeited
• Lighthouse may be torn down and
vandalism on-site will continue
• Road may be reopened to vehicular traffic
Image Credit: Peninsula Bruce Trail Club

5. Proposed Approach
2

6. 5
Proposed Solution
Local partnership to convert Road to a Wilderness Trail
• Building on an idea originally from the community, three charities seek to
form a collaborative to work with all stakeholders with interest in the Cabot
Head Road and the Dyer’s Bay Community
• Objective has been to explore the best way to convert the Cabot Head Road
to Wilderness Trail for hikers and cyclists (no cars) creating a self-
sustaining tourism asset that supports operations of the charities
• In December 2020, the three charities received Ontario Trillium Foundation
approval for $124,000 for the project
• Since that time, the group has led extensive discussions with stakeholders to
listen to and address their primary concerns about trail design & operations

7. 6
Proposed Approach
Overview
We anticipate increased visitation from passive tourism - cycling/hiking
but NOT to the previous levels when you could drive to the Lighthouse.
As a result, our approach to design and management of the Trail
envisions several ways of mitigating the potential impact
1. Controlling
Access &
Visitation
2. Protecting
Character of
Dyer’s Bay
3. Supporting
Landowner
Rights

8. 7
Proposed Approach
1. Controlling access & avoiding over-visitation
Enforcement mechanisms envisioned
Restricting use on Cabot Head Trail to bikers and hikers; no vehicular
traffic beyond the entrance at Cabot Head Road except for volunteers
& EMS
Funneling trail access through people-controlled paid entry points at
Dyer’s Bay Parking lot and Cabot Head Trail entrance (note: we are
investigating potential for trail to remain free for local users)
Daily trail monitoring of usage during high season to prevent
trespassing, illegal camping, trampling of sensitive areas, etc.

9. 8
Our Approach
2. Protecting the quiet and safe character of Dyers Bay
Dyers Bay Community feedback has been included in project approach
No parking lot expansion into environmentally sensitive Escarpment
meadow next to the Dyer’s Bay parking lot
No active marketing of site by charities
No shuttle services and controlled drop-off points
Annual review of operations for potential refinements
Longer-term, evaluation of National Park-like reservation system
Charities will seek agreement from the Municipality for this approach

10. 9
Our Approach
3. Supporting the Rights of Cabot Head Road Landowners
Recognizing Landowners Role in Trail Development
Approves general concept, trail design, and risk management plan
Approves any changes to the plan, including during construction
beyond the current tire tracks-adamant not become part of Bruce Trail
Named as an insured party
Will be on site during construction
Approves anti-trespassing strategy

11. 10
Proposed Approach
Pursuing a social enterprise model
• Current intent is to use access fees to fund operations and ongoing maintenance
similar to other local amenities
• Charities are considering two potential sources: (1) parking revenues, & (2) trail
access fee
• A portion of the funds generated by the project is envisioned to be set aside as a
reserve fund for future trail work and repairs
• Discussions with the Municipality on how to approach the above are still underway
Longer-term, we believe there may be additional opportunities to increase
involvement from the Dyer’s Bay community with the project’s three charities

12. Trail Design & Management
Preliminary Draft
3

13. 12
Design Elements
Trailhead at Dyer’s Bay Parking Lot
• Trail Head would be at the Dyer’s Bay
Parking Lot; option to pay parking fee or to
purchase additional ticket for trail and
lighthouse access
• Majority of people either bike or hike from
Dyer’s Bay parking lot to Lighthouse, which
is trail terminus
• To maximize effective use, parking spaces
delineated including some for car & trailers
• “No Parking” signage throughout Dyer’s Bay
Community enforced by By-law officers,
including at entrance to village

14. 13
Design Elements
Alternative access route
• For hikers, the existing Bruce Trail access from Lindsay Road 40 to Harkins Road is
an alternate and most direct route to Cabot Head Trail entrance
• This route is one half kilometre closer to the Cabot Head Trail entrance than the
Bruce Trail access near the Dyer’s Bay parking lot.
• This location has free parking at this time.

15. 14
Design Elements
Trail entrance at Cabot Head Road
• There will be controlled access at the
Trail entrance
• Anticipate some people will drive
through Dyer’s Bay Community to drop
off hikers or bikers at Trail entrance; may
need to include turnaround space if Birch
loop insufficient– approach and exact
location is to be determined
• Consideration being given to a having a
staff attendant at this location for high
season (or a roving “Trail Monitor”
moving up and down the trail by bike)

16. 15
Design Elements
Ensuring safety & reinforcing structure
• Conversion to Trail will simplify / reduce
the construction requirements for safety
• Trail is in relatively good shape; current
estimate is only ~450M of the ~ 8 km
Trail requires construction work
• Key construction activities include hiring
a professional trail designer
• Plan continues to be under review with
subject matter experts from the County
and Municipality

17. 16
Trail Management
Manageable, self-service approach
• Trail would be a self-directed experience similar to the Bruce Trail
• Potential for trail staff to be hired and present during high season in order to:
– Ensure parking fee is paid
– Report illegal parking to bylaw officers
– Reporting any incidents to the OPP
– Remove any garbage along the trail.
• Other operations (e.g., routine maintenance and inspection) would be conducted in
conjunction with the Municipality

18. Thank you!