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Flooded out Waterfront Trail among many sites still off limits after rainstorms

Some closures are still in effect after several large rainstorms this spring.

Hamilton exceeded the monthly average of rain for May in the first week

Jessica Palumbo · CBC News ·
Damaged trees on the shore of Confederation Beach. (Jessica Palumbo/CBC)

As a result of the spring's heavy rains and unusually high Great Lakes  water levels, Hamilton's most popular trail will remain closed indefinitely.

The Waterfront Trail, which links Princess Point with Bayfront Park, sees almost 13,000 users a week and is heading into what would be its most popular season.

But parts of the trail are underwater.

City spokeswoman Jasmine Graham says the city expects a longer term closure for the trail, but does not have an expected date when it will re-open.

The trail is just one of a number of areas that remain closed in the wake of weeks of heavy rains.

Hamilton saw 82 millimetres of rain in the first week of May, which is more than the monthly average of 80 millimetres Environment Canada said. In late April, the city had what amounted to a month's worth of rain in one day.

Here's a look at the other areas still closed, blocked or under repair as a result of the wet weather.

Road Closures

  • The connection from east leg of the Sherman Access to the Kenilworth Access is closed while crews are continuing to remove a large rock overhead.
  • York Road in Dundas is closed while crews assess the condition of a damaged culvert and embankment.

Parks and Trails

  • All sports fields in Hamilton are closed until May 13.
  • The Waterfront Trail is closed between Bayfront Park and Princess Point for repairs due to erosion along the trail.
  • The Rail Trail is closed between Wentworth Street South and the Kimberly Stairs.
  • Spencer Creek Trail is closed due to flooding.
  • Fifty Road Parkette is closed due to high water levels.
  • The  Cootes Paradise Fishway is closed due to high water levels.
  • Low-lying Royal Botanical Gardens trails out of Cootes Paradise and in Hendrie Valley are closed.

The Rail Trail is currently closed due to a collapsed area. Graham says the city is still investigating the extent of the damages. The city is not sure how much work will be required for repair and are not sure about why it happened.

The Rail Trail between Wentworth Street and the Kimberly Stairs is closed still as crews investigate a collapsed area on the trail. (City of Hamilton)

The City of Hamilton says they expect a longer term closure on the Waterfront Trail. (Jessica Palumbo/CBC)

Hamilton Conservation Authorities released an alert for erosion issues at Confederation Beach Park due to high water levels. They say visitors should stay on trail and away from the banks and edges leading to the beach, due to safety concerns.

(Jessica Palumbo/CBC)

Homeowners in Hamilton are reminded to still be cautious around watercourses due to the high water levels.

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