Beach Rules

Cawaja Beach use is for the enjoyment of our members and their guests.

The following rules are supported by our enforced by-laws in partnership with the Township of Tiny.

Please:

• Enjoy the beach and keep it clean.
• Watch your children to ensure they are always safe.
• Play safe and respect other members and their guests.
• Keep dogs on leash at all times, roads are busy, and cars may not slow down.
• Always pick up after your pet – discarding waste at your own property with organics if in paper or biodegradable bags. Pet waste is harmful to wildlife and nasty to step or swim in.
• Respect these rules and the by-laws of the Township.

Please do not:

• Bring pets (including dogs) on the beach from 10am to 6pm during the period, June 15 to September 15. Outside of these times, dogs must be on a leash and owners must pick up after their pet and discard waste back at their own property.
• Build fires or cook food on the beach–at any time.
• Drive any motorized vehicle on the beach. (See “Beach Access”)
• Erect a tent/shelter/canopy larger than 30 square feet (i.e., 6’x5’) or leave the tent/shelter/canopy set up overnight.
• Leave unattended or unsecured recreational sports equipment
• Leave any objects overnight such as surfboards, umbrellas, and chairs etc.
• Camp on the beach.
• Use alcohol or illicit drugs on the beach.
• Use profane language or cause a disturbance.
• Feed the birds or other wildlife nor leave any food uncovered where the wildlife may eat it.
• Play a radio, music player, or other electronic equipment that will disturb another person beyond a radius of 3 met
• Physically change the beach, plant trees/shrubs or post advertisements/notices etc. to any trees or structure. (Sandcastles are okay but at the end of the day the beach needs to be back to its original state.)
• Urinate or defecate on the beach or any surrounding private property.

ADDITIONAL BY-LAWS AND REGULATIONS

 

Fire bans:

Fire is a major threat to any wooded area and significant precautions need to be taken to prevent loss of life and property. The Township has passed a burning by‐law to protect people, property, and natural resources.

Everyone is required to obtain a burning permit before starting fires on their property. Some of the key features of the by‐law include:

• No open fire is allowed when a fire ban is in effect. (Check Township hotline listed below for status.)
• Fires must be constantly supervised with tools and equipment readily available to put out the fire.
• No fires are permitted between 2 AM and 8 AM.
• The maximum size of the fire must be less than 1 meter in diameter.
• No fire is permitted if winds are greater than 20 kilometers per hour.
• Fires must be 3 meters back from any building, roadway, or combustible material.
• Fires must be put out before leaving (smoldering fires can re‐ignite and cause significant damage). For further details, visit the municipal website or call the Township regarding the Burning By‐Law 10‐

Noise restrictions:

Noise can be very disturbing to those not participating in your festivities. Noise means a sound that is of such volume or nature at a point of reception that it disturbs or is likely to disturb the inhabitants of the Township. Good cottage etiquette dictates that excessive noise should always be avoided and by-laws require quiet between the hours of 11 PM to 8 AM. For further details, visit the municipal website or call the Township regarding the Noise Control By‐Law 12‐056.

Fireworks:

Fireworks can only be discharged in the Township on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Victoria Day, and Canada Day, subject to any fire bans in effect on those dates. They may only be used between dusk and 11 PM on those permitted dates. Firecrackers are always prohibited. Display fireworks–which include bombshells, aerial shells, large wheels, and bombardons–may only be used if a permit has been obtained from the municipality. For further details, visit the municipal website or call the Township regarding the Fireworks By‐Law 07‐054.

Dumping and Littering:

Garbage and recycling pickup are alternate weeks; organics/green bins are picked up weekly. Please check Simcoe.ca Waste Management to determine which week you are on, and what materials are acceptable. Pickup is Monday and items must be at the curb by 7 AM.

The Township prohibits the throwing, placing, or depositing of refuse or debris on private property or on property of the municipality without authority from the owner or occupant of such property. Items that are improperly disposed of become a real problem given the wildlife population in the area.

Do not dispose of your trash on someone else’s property or in their garbage

bin. You should check with the landlord about proper garbage disposal and the options for getting rid of excess debris.

Dogs:

Dogs are often our best friends, but they can cause danger and become nuisances to the community if not properly supervised and cared for. Dogs must be kept leashed (maximum 1.5 meters in length) and under the control of a capable person when the dog is on land in the municipality other than that of the owner, unless prior consent is given by the person owning the land on which the dog is found. Per Tiny Township by-laws, a dog running at large may be seized by any person and taken to an Animal Control Officer or the Poundkeeper. A dog shall be deemed to be running at large when found in any place other than the premises of the owner of the dog and not under the control of a capable person. Every dog owner is also responsible for immediately removing excrement left by the dog anywhere in the municipality other than their own property. Dog barking is subject to the rules under the noise control by‐law discussed above. The woods and forest around cottages are inhabited by animals which could harm your pet or be harmed by your pet. Please always keep your dog close. For further details, visit the municipal website or call the township regarding the Dog By‐Law 02‐015.

Boating and Personal Watercraft Safety:

All operators of motorboats used for recreational purposes in Canadian waters must have a boating license. Boating licenses are mandatory, regardless of age or the type of motor used.

Boaters of any kind are responsible for the safe passage of swimmers. Swimmers always have the right of way.

Only operate powered watercraft in depths over 1.5 meters to avoid disturbing and destroying fish habitat. Waves created close to docks and shorelines are very destructive. The bay is very shallow, it is the law all powered watercraft must not exceed a speed of 10 km/hr within 300 meters of the shore from Concession 1 to Concession 16. When traveling at high speed or when involved in water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing head for the center of the bay; do not travel parallel to the shoreline. Avoid spilling gas and oil in the water during refueling and clean your boat and trailer before launching and after removal to avoid transporting invasive aquatic species.

Safe, responsible operation is key to enjoyable pleasure boating. If something goes wrong, having the appropriate safety equipment can save a life. Depending on the size of your pleasure craft, you must carry some or all of the safety equipment listed below. Know which safety equipment is required for your vessel and have it onboard. Make sure your equipment is easy to reach and that everyone onboard knows how to use it. Remember, ensuring that all equipment is in good working order is not just common sense, it’s the law. Examples of safety equipment include:

• personal protection equipment such as personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets
• boat safety equipment such as buoyant heaving lines, lifebuoys, lifting harnesses, re‐boarding devices, oars or paddles, anchors, bailers and manual water pumps, and fire extinguishers
• distress equipment such as watertight flashlights and flares
• navigation equipment such as navigation lights, sound‐signaling devices and appliances, towing equipment
• other suggested items such as tool kits, first aid kits, and cellular phones where applicable.

REMEMBER THAT DRINKING AND BOATING IS DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL.

To learn more about safety equipment requirements and how they apply to you, visit the Office of Boating Safety website, or contact Transport Canada.

Environment/Septic:

 Our water and beach are fragile ecosystems that require care and the use of common

sense to preserve. Here are a few rules we encourage you to follow.

• Don’t use soap or shampoo in the bay (incl. biodegradable).
• Don’t pour toxic liquids down the
• drain including paints, solvents, oil, grease, etc.
• Don’t flush sanitary napkins, diapers, paper towels, condoms, or cigarette butts down the toile These items will cause plumbing problems and will impact the septic system.
• Don’t contribute to light pollution. Minimize night lighting so everyone can enjoy the night sky.
• If your property has a septic system, ensure your guests have emergency contacts for any septic issues.

Wildlife:

Please do not feed wildlife. Feeding waterfowl–or any wild animal–is harmful to their digestive system. Waterfowl, such as Canada Geese and Mallards, will become nuisance wildlife by defecating on docks and along the shoreline. Do not leave food on your deck, beach or in your barbecue. It can attract raccoons, skunks, and the occasional bear who will make a real racket at night and may leave a mess for you in the morning. In some instances, significant damage to the cottage property may occur.

Points of Interest:

Awenda Provincial Park:

670 Concession 18 East Tiny, Ontario, L9M 2H7

Phone: (705) 549‐2231

Website: www.ontarioparks.com

Sainte‐Marie among the Hurons:

16164, Highway 12 East, Midland, Ontario, L4R 4K8

Phone: (705) 526‐7838

Website:    www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca

 

Penetanguishene Centennial Museum: 13 Burke Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario, L9M 1C1 Phone: (705) 549‐2150

Website: www.pencenmuseum.com/

 

Huronia Museum:  549 Little Lake Park, P.O. box 638, Midland, Ontario, L4R 4P4

Phone: (705) 526‐2844

Website: www.huroniamuseum.com

 

King’s Wharf Theatre:      97 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene, Ontario, L9M 1G1

Discovery Harbour: Phone: Local: (705) 549‐5555,  Toll‐free: 1 (888) 449‐4463

Website: www.kingswharftheatre.com

 

Martyr’s Shrine:     16163 Highway 12 West, Midland, Ontario, L4R 4K8

Phone: (705) 526‐3788

Website: martyrs‐shrine.com

 

Midland Cultural Centre:  333 King Street, Midland, Ontario, L4R 3M7

Phone: (705) 527‐4420

Website: www.midlandculturalcentre.com

 

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre: 16160 Highway 12 East, Midland, Ontario, L4R 4K6

Phone: (705) 526‐7809

Website: www.wyemarsh.com

 

Penetanguishene 30,000 Island Cruises: PO Box 5205, Penetanguishene, Ontario, L9M 2G4 Phone: (705) 549‐7795

Website: www.georgianbaycruises.com

 

Key Contact Information:

Emergency:                                        911

OPP non-emergency:                          (705) 526‐3761

Georgian Bay General Hospital:           (705) 526‐3751

Tiny Township:                                   (705) 526‐4204

Fire Ban information:                          (705) 526‐4204

Huronia Animal Control:                      (705) 549‐2289

Enbridge for gas leaks:                        (866) 763‐5427

Bell 24‐hour repair service:                 611

Hydro One power outage:                    (800) 434‐1235

Veterinarians:

Midland Veterinary Services                (705) 526‐6411

Heritage Animal Hospital                     (705) 526‐8002

Penetang Vet Hospital                         (705) 549‐8296