City of Hamilton installing temporary fencing and Keep Out signs at Albion Falls today

HAMILTON, ON - June 30, 2017 - With the Canada Day long weekend approaching, the City of Hamilton is taking steps to ensure visitors to Albion Falls can clearly identify the safest places to view the waterfalls.  

Temporary fencing and signs are being erected at Albion Falls today with the goal of trying to ensure visitors are safe and can enjoy the beauty of the falls. The City has piled cut brush-trees into unsafe pathways near the designated viewing platform to disguise them and block access, “Keep Out” signs have been installed, and the stairs have also been blocked off. The City will monitor today in anticipation of the weekend. Permanent fencing will be installed the following week.  

“With Hamilton being home to over 100 waterfalls, we welcome residents and visitors to enjoy these areas safely. I am urging the public to be aware of their surroundings and stay only in designated viewing areas.” - Fred Eisenberger, Mayor, City of Hamilton

This long weekend is a wonderful time to visit any of the 100+ local waterfalls in Hamilton. However, residents are reminded that waterfalls and other edges along the escarpment can be dangerous and should be treated as such. Residents and visitors should exercise caution, stick to safe viewing areas, respect the posted signage and check out the falls from the viewing platforms.

“During this holiday weekend, if residents and visitors are planning to take in any of the beautiful waterfalls in Hamilton, we want them to do so safely. We would ask everyone to please exercise the utmost caution and respect the signs and temporary fencing that have been placed around Albion Falls. Our priority is to ensure public safety.” - Tom Jackson, Councillor, City of Hamilton

Given the recent rainfall, many of Hamilton’s waterfalls will have extra water flowing through them and could be particularly dangerous. Visitors are also reminded to be aware of slippery conditions with the recent rain and wet weather.

The City has recently begun taking measures to reduce traffic and parking-related issues around the city’s waterfall areas with enhanced parking enforcement that will be continued this long weekend. With nearly 650 tickets issued to date since mid-April, illegally parked cars may also be towed. Illegally parked cars may also impede emergency vehicles and crews trying to access waterfall areas if a rescue is required.

Residents and visitors should be very careful when visiting Hamilton’s waterfalls, and should aim to enjoy the waterfalls as safely as possible.

“While staff works towards the installation of additional safety measures, we ask that visitors to the falls stay on the designated trails and viewing platforms to stay safe this holiday weekend.” - Kara Bunn, Manager of Parks & Cemeteries

Additional Resources

• Tips on the safe enjoyment of waterfalls
• Video: Safety tips for safe enjoyment of local waterfalls