Liability issues close Seymour swimming

Lower Trent posts signs warning swimming is not allowed at the conservation area

Swimming is not permitted at Seymour Conservation Area.

It looks inviting on a hot day, but you can’t swim at the Seymour Conservation Area south of Campbellford.

Lower Trent Conservation, which purchased the 80-hectare (200-acre) park in 1973, recently posted signs alerting people that they could not swim in the quarry, something that local residents and kids have been doing for decades.

But shortly after the two signs were posted both disappeared, along with the metal posts they were attached to.

Rhonda Bateman, Chief Administrative Officer of Lower Trent, says she’s also had an angry phone call from one man who was unhappy about the signs. “I know some people are upset.”

Bateman said the former quarry has never been “sanctioned” for swimming and has never been tested for water quality.

“With all the waterfowl and wildlife and the fact there is no stream adding fresh water, I expect the e coli levels would be very high,” Bateman said.

Tougher insurance and legal rules led Lower Trent to decide the liability of turning a blind eye to swimming in the quarry was just too high.

“I thought of adding a life ring, but given what happened to the sign and post, I imagine it would quickly disappear,” she said.

Without the ability to monitor water quality, Lower Trent Conservation cannot guarantee that the water is safe for recreational use, potentially exposing visitors to harmful bacteria or other unknown hazards.

“At Seymour Conservation Area, our responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our visitors includes mitigating legal liabilities that stem from the use of unsupervised water bodies,” said Chris McLeod, Conservation Lands Supervisor. “The unfortunate reality is that without regular water quality assessments, which we currently do not have the capacity to conduct, we cannot allow swimming in the quarry.”

“We’re not trying to be heavy handed, but we are trying to look out for the health and well-being of our visitors,” Bateman said.

For the same reason, Lower Trent Conservation has also installed warning signs on the bluff above the quarry to warn about the steep drop-offs.

The new signs have been installed around the quarry, clearly indicating that swimming is not allowed. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy other outdoor activities the conservation area has to offer, including hiking and picnicking, while respecting the restrictions.

The park has also had problems with drinking parties and fires in the evening, after it is officially closed at dusk. In 2020 it closed one of the parking lots in an effort to reduce the partying and litter.

You can read the news release about no swimming here.

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