The fishing bridge at Valens Lake Conservation Area is open again, after a fire forced it to close just before Thanksgiving weekend.
Visitors to the park’s campsite noticed the fire around 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 and alerted security guards at the campground.
The bridge was built in 1977, Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Director of Conservation Areas Gord Costie said, and has been a major feature in the park for almost half a century.
Costie said the fire showed him how much the community cares about Valens Lake and its Fishing Bridge.
“I was really taken back a little bit from this public curiosity about the bridge and how important it was to people,” he said.
From folks sharing family memories at the Fishing Bridge, to wedding engagements, to a general love of the park, Costie said the fire brought together a community that loves Valens Lake.
“The fishing bridge is an iconic image for us,” he said, adding that the park has recently launched merchandise with a photo of the bridge on it.
Costie said Hamilton Fire responded to the burning bridge and were able to put out the blaze, leaving around $10,000 in repairs.
The bridge was able to reopen before the long weekend — and thanks to community donations, the repairs were paid for.
Costie said he is proud of how HCA and the community responded to the fire.
“Everybody does love this Fishing Bridge,” he said.
While the community covered the cost of the bridge, the HCA’s website said any additional donations will go to the Valens Lake Fund.
“This fund is dedicated to ongoing trail maintenance, boardwalk repairs, and other enhancements in the area,” the authority’s website says.
