Bayfield: Through the Years

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  No Sidewalks Please

  by Mike K., over 5 years ago
  I think building sidewalks on Main St. would be a very bad idea. They would detract from the relaxed, rural charm of the street and increase ambient noise levels by reflecting noise from passing cars. Sidewalks would also create a serious tripping/broken ankle hazard especially for the elderly and would also present an obstacle for wheelchair users. Large puddles will form in between the sidewalk and the street-level building entrances during heavy rains and spring thaw, wrecking foundations and water could even seep into the some of the businesses themselves through their front doors. If you could magically elevate every... Continue reading

  I think building sidewalks on Main St. would be a very bad idea. They would detract from the relaxed, rural charm of the street and increase ambient noise levels by reflecting noise from passing cars. Sidewalks would also create a serious tripping/broken ankle hazard especially for the elderly and would also present an obstacle for wheelchair users. Large puddles will form in between the sidewalk and the street-level building entrances during heavy rains and spring thaw, wrecking foundations and water could even seep into the some of the businesses themselves through their front doors. If you could magically elevate every building on Main St. by 6 or 8 inches to accommodate the raised pedestrian surface, sidewalks might work, but as it is they will just make everything worse.
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  Dog Park Support

  by Jo-Anne Smail, over 5 years ago

  New to Bayfield, I am surprised there is no area where dogs may run free to chase a ball. Exercise from leash walking is limited and the opportunity to have a good run enhances their happiness and fitness.

  New to Bayfield, I am surprised there is no area where dogs may run free to chase a ball. Exercise from leash walking is limited and the opportunity to have a good run enhances their happiness and fitness.
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  The 15 minute village

  by Huroncyclist, over 5 years ago

  Some of us may be familiar with the ‘15 minute city’ concept first articulated by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. The basic idea is that every resident in Paris should be able to access everything they need for work, health, shopping, education, recreation and daily living within 15 minutes of walking or biking. This concept has been picked up by many cities and helps to drive their planning decisions, particularly as they address climate change through reducing vehicle ownership and traffic, repurposing streets towards more green space and pedestrian use, and generally trying to make cities more attractive and... Continue reading

  Some of us may be familiar with the ‘15 minute city’ concept first articulated by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. The basic idea is that every resident in Paris should be able to access everything they need for work, health, shopping, education, recreation and daily living within 15 minutes of walking or biking. This concept has been picked up by many cities and helps to drive their planning decisions, particularly as they address climate change through reducing vehicle ownership and traffic, repurposing streets towards more green space and pedestrian use, and generally trying to make cities more attractive and livable.

  Why on earth would we need such a concept in Bayfield, which seems so bikeable and walkable already?

  However, as I go about my daily routine in the village, I notice that, although these stores are within my 15 minute radius, I can’t really bike or walk safely to the pharmacy, the fish store, Foodland or any other establishment on Hwy 21. And it’s dangerous to get to the north shore by walking or biking (especially with 6 grandchildren), despite the Waterfront Trail marked just over the bridge. So, Bayfield seems quiet in the village proper, with pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles all coexisting fairly respectfully (this has been my experience at any rate). But, if we are thinking about planning, land use, traffic & people movement, managing intensification, safety, reducing our carbon footprint, encouraging a green and healthy life style and all the elements of a vision for the next 20 years, I think we need to recognize that it’s very difficult to exist in Bayfield currently as either a tourist, cottager, boater, business owner or resident without a lot of car use, and that all recent development (both residential and commercial) seems to have been done with the assumption that we will drive. If we continue to develop and plan with this assumption, and if there is a significant rise in population, then we may destroy the very things that make Bayfield attractive, without really noticing that it is happening.

  Obviously we’re not going to get rid of pickups and cars (although we may hope that most are EV’s in 20 years), but can we imagine living, working and holidaying in a place where the guiding vision is ’the 15 minute village’ and each bit of planning (and lobbying the provincial government on issues related to hwy 21) has been in the service of making this vision a reality?
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  Bayfield v2.0

  by Rocky Jain, over 5 years ago

  After growing up in Kincardine and Port Elgin, attending McMaster University in Hamilton, and establishing my career in Waterloo, I made the move to Bayfield, 18 months ago. I am excited to contribute to our shared community, build roots & relationships with fellow residents, and welcome & embrace visitors to our idyllic village.

  In the time I’ve been here, I have taken the opportunity to observe the way of life and the experience afforded to those of us who are fortunate to call Bayfield ’home’. Below is a non-exhaustive list of ideas I have I’d be happy to discuss with... Continue reading

  After growing up in Kincardine and Port Elgin, attending McMaster University in Hamilton, and establishing my career in Waterloo, I made the move to Bayfield, 18 months ago. I am excited to contribute to our shared community, build roots & relationships with fellow residents, and welcome & embrace visitors to our idyllic village.

  In the time I’ve been here, I have taken the opportunity to observe the way of life and the experience afforded to those of us who are fortunate to call Bayfield ’home’. Below is a non-exhaustive list of ideas I have I’d be happy to discuss with other residents and the community at large, should the appetite exist.

  • Our ‘lakeshore road’ of Tuyll would benefit from traffic calming measures. Perhaps a stop sign or two? As it is, drivers are left unchecked, and speeding is a risk.
  • Street lighting along Main Street, and neighbouring residential streets is sorely lacking. Some streets are pitch black after the sun goes down, and safety (personal and physical) is a concern.
  • We live in the Municipality of Bluewater, and in a village immediately on Lake Huron, yet we have no water features in any of our parks. The water brought many of us to this town.. let’s see more of it!
  • In this era of the pandemic, it is wonderful to see so many people out walking, enjoying the fresh air. Might we invest in this type of activity with the introduction of a dedicated walking/running/cycling path woven through the village? What a way to encourage even more physical activity and invest in the health of our neighbours!
  • Whereas I am fortunate to be able to move freely, I see many individuals with mobility challenges who struggle to navigate Main Street. The gravel paths, the steps up and down... for those where walking is not something to be taken for granted, these can be challenging obstacles to overcome.
  • As our population grows, it will age as well. Creating homes and facilities for our aging population is a step to a more inclusive community. It would be wonderful to see Bayfield invest in long term care and retirement residences.
  • Finally, let’s give some thought to closing off vehicle traffic from Main Street. Over the month of December, we did see Main Street become ‘pedestrian only’ and it was fantastic! Now, imagine if this becomes a movement into the summer, with vendors and their stalls placed up and down the middle of Main Street, creating a market for local farmers, artisans, and makers to share and sell!

  There is so much we could do to evolve our way of life and the experiences we share. Keep the ideas coming, keep those minds open, and I will see you around town :)

  
  

  Rocky Jain
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  Highway 21 Speed Limits

  by MJBL, over 5 years ago
  I think for the sake of all stakeholders, the highway speeds through and on either end of the village need to be reduced faster and over longer stretches of the highway. With all the development at Jowett's Grove, and north to Bayfield Road, and south from Cameron Street, the only 50km corridor is basically from just south and north of Clan Square. Add in the blind corner coming off Long Hill Road across the construction site onto #21 and you have multiple safety issues. I would like to see the 80-60-50km zones transition to begin at Bayfield Road north and... Continue reading

  I think for the sake of all stakeholders, the highway speeds through and on either end of the village need to be reduced faster and over longer stretches of the highway. With all the development at Jowett's Grove, and north to Bayfield Road, and south from Cameron Street, the only 50km corridor is basically from just south and north of Clan Square. Add in the blind corner coming off Long Hill Road across the construction site onto #21 and you have multiple safety issues. I would like to see the 80-60-50km zones transition to begin at Bayfield Road north and south, and north and southbound in either direction around Cameron Street. Also post signs banning the use of engine braking.

  
  

  My wife and I cannot count the number of times out walking that we see large rigs are still doing 80 kms across the bridge construction, and it seems a recipe for serious safety issues. Has anyone travelled the rural highways in the region extensively? I use the town of Sebringville on Hwy#8 as an example. The zones on either end of the village start at least a mile out on either end, and the transition is relatively fast but orderly. They also employ engine braking warnings. With respect to Sebringville, they have a fraction of the development we have here in Bayfield, but a seemingly much safer traffic environment.
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  Village Infrastructure

  by Ria, over 5 years ago

  We love the village charm of Bayfield, the friendliness and community spirit, it is why we moved from the city to Bayfield. I completely understand the need for updating infrastructure, but hope it is done in a way that does not strip this beautiful village of what is attracting so many to visit, slowness of pace, the chance to catch their breath, and be present in life with loved ones. Let's face it, Bayfield needs tourism to survive, so lets keep this in mind as we move forward.

  We love the village charm of Bayfield, the friendliness and community spirit, it is why we moved from the city to Bayfield. I completely understand the need for updating infrastructure, but hope it is done in a way that does not strip this beautiful village of what is attracting so many to visit, slowness of pace, the chance to catch their breath, and be present in life with loved ones. Let's face it, Bayfield needs tourism to survive, so lets keep this in mind as we move forward.
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  Beach Infrastructure

  by BeachhouseBeletic, over 5 years ago
  

  I think Bayfield is missing out with the design of the beach. I understand water levels and the environment have a large impact. I also imagine there are different levels of government that need to be included in this. I think with the erosion the last few seasons we can look at new ways to change or improve the beach set up. I traveled to Australia a few years ago and loved how the Cronulla beach front was designed. they have a history of large wash out due to water levels. what they have done is made concrete steps/benching along... Continue reading

  I think Bayfield is missing out with the design of the beach. I understand water levels and the environment have a large impact. I also imagine there are different levels of government that need to be included in this. I think with the erosion the last few seasons we can look at new ways to change or improve the beach set up. I traveled to Australia a few years ago and loved how the Cronulla beach front was designed. they have a history of large wash out due to water levels. what they have done is made concrete steps/benching along the shore. it helps with erosion. it also is a more cohesive look to their boardwalk. the steps are somewhere to sit (they have holes drilled in so you can set up an umbrella) and in stormy weather- can act as erosion control. this is just a thought on how to improve something we already have that does need to be maintained to ensure we have a robust area to visit and live.
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  Dog Park Urgently Needed

  by Suzan Johnson, over 5 years ago
  I agree with the writer who cited the need for a dog park in Bayfield. I realize that such a project was attempted a few years ago, but for varying reasons, it never materialized. With an increase in the local and visitor population such a facility is sorely needed. Hopefully, the Municipality will recognize that Bayfield is a very dog-friendly community and that everyone can come to some sort of mutually satisfying solution. Thank you.

  I agree with the writer who cited the need for a dog park in Bayfield. I realize that such a project was attempted a few years ago, but for varying reasons, it never materialized. With an increase in the local and visitor population such a facility is sorely needed. Hopefully, the Municipality will recognize that Bayfield is a very dog-friendly community and that everyone can come to some sort of mutually satisfying solution. Thank you.
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  Dog park

  by Jackie heathcote, over 5 years ago
  There are many bayfield residents who own dogs and would really appreciate an off leash dog park, it is good for the mental health of the owners (and the happiness of the dogs). It encourages fitness and community, I feel it is long overdue. There seem to be facilities for everyone except dog owners.

  There are many bayfield residents who own dogs and would really appreciate an off leash dog park, it is good for the mental health of the owners (and the happiness of the dogs). It encourages fitness and community, I feel it is long overdue. There seem to be facilities for everyone except dog owners.
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  Plan for the Future generations, preserve the Past

  by RuthG, over 5 years ago

  "The more things change, the more they stay the same." We cannot stop time and we cannot stop change.

  Bayfield currently relies on tourism, the summer cottage owners and volunteer retirees.

  Where we fail is providing housing for people working in the tourism areas and young adults starting new families. I feel that we should have new housing in low-rise apartment buildings or low rise condominiums. We have already allowed condominium and freehold townhomes but the cost is prohibitive for those starting out in life. We need to preserve the charm of the downtown area which we are doing with... Continue reading

  "The more things change, the more they stay the same." We cannot stop time and we cannot stop change.

  Bayfield currently relies on tourism, the summer cottage owners and volunteer retirees.

  Where we fail is providing housing for people working in the tourism areas and young adults starting new families. I feel that we should have new housing in low-rise apartment buildings or low rise condominiums. We have already allowed condominium and freehold townhomes but the cost is prohibitive for those starting out in life. We need to preserve the charm of the downtown area which we are doing with the Bluewater Municipality Heritage Committee.

  No large lit signs within town limits. A low-rise retirement home would be a good idea so those not able to maintain their residences do not need to leave for London or Waterloo.