Island Recreation Path Extension Not for Motorized Vehicles

05/13/2009

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to inform all Kahnawa’kehró:non that for the safety and security of Community pedestrians and cyclists, the new Kateri Tekakwitha Island extension to the Recreation Path, which runs along the shoreline, is not intended for motorized vehicles. Signs were erected by Public Works in the last two weeks and the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Peacekeepers have begun enforcement.

It should be noted that various street signs are posted in Kahnawà:ke and are not usually publicized in advance. However, Section 310 of the Highway Safety Code stipulates sanctions for “failure to comply with a posted sign.” The MCK would like to reiterate to all vehicle owners that a driver has an obligation to obey the street signs wherever they may be, regardless of their date of posting.

The MCK does realize that prior to these signs being erected, there was nothing prohibiting vehicles on the path and that the path was built on an existing side road. Further, the MCK does realize that these signs should have been put in place before the spring. However, other potential users of this path extension were taken into consideration (ie: Pow-Wow, fisherman, etc). Though this does hinder motorists from driving up to the shore to fish, motorists are being encouraged to access the shore via the smaller roadways stemming from the Marina Road. The MCK is currently looking into a potential alternative gravel roadway for vehicles to use.

“We realize that we cannot please everyone,” said Kevin Kennedy, Associate Executive Director, Operations and Community Planning. “We were getting complaints about the vehicles by pedestrians and now we are getting complaints from vehicle users. Unfortunately, it has become a safety issue for pedestrians – that’s why the decision was made.”