Until further notice, Niagara-on-the-Lake has banned fires, tents and barbecues from public parks and beaches in town. 

Consistent heat advisories, dry weather, visitors to town, availability of open spaces in parks and maintaining physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are all factors that informed this decision made by Lord Mayor Betty Disero and interim CAO Sheldon Randall. 

“Our parks are a very valuable space for our residents and visitors to walk and enjoy some fresh air and they are small in comparison to provincial parks,” Disero said in a news release. 

“We must ensure that our shared public spaces are used safely and in a way that continues to promote physical distancing measures.” 

Signs informing residents and visitors of the ban have been installed at high traffic parks in town that include Ryerson Park, Queen's Royal Park, Simcoe Park and Balls Beach. 

“The health and safety of our community remains at the forefront of every decision we make,” Randall said in a statement.  

“We always want to provide an environment within which people can feel safe while enjoying our town.” 

The prohibition of fires, tents and barbecues does not affect Niagara Parks Commission land.