Rideau Canal reopens this Friday
Posted May 19, 2011 By EMC News
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Tweet ThisEMC Lifestyle - This Friday, May 20 the historic wooden gates of the Rideau Canal will stretch open once again to start the 179th year of continuous operation.
Last year the canal welcomed 73,956 boats through the 22 locks between Ottawa and Kingston. In Smiths Falls, the heart of the Rideau Canal, construction work on Abbott Street bridge will continue until the end of June, according to town staff. This makes traffic concerns very real for residents and cottagers alike.
Elaine Mallory, director of administrative and planning services, said to her knowledge, there have been no plans to alter the lock system in light of the bridge closure.
Traditionally, the locks operate on a timed system to allow both vessel and vehicular traffic an opportunity to pass.
"Parks Canada is cognizant of the impact the closure of Abbott Street has had," Mallory said.
She added the work on Abbott Street is planned to be wrapped up by the end of June.
This year Parks Canada is celebrating its centennial by launching two programs aimed at encouraging Canadians to enjoy the national parks. The first is a 'My Parks Pass Program', which offers Grade 8 and secondary students free access for a year to any national park, historic site, or marine conservation area operated by Parks Canada.
"We strongly encourage youths living in eastern Ontario to take advantage of this pass and to learn more about Canada's natural and cultural heritage," wrote Marjolene Alie, spokesperson for Parks Canada.
The second program is called 'Learning to Camp on the Rideau Canal' and offers an interactive overnight camping experience for urban families and new Canadians who may not have had the opportunity to experience camping before.
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