SIMPLE SOLUTIONS: ADOPT A FIRE HYDRANT 🚒❄️

September 26th, 2026

There are approximately 5,100 fire hydrants in Wasaga Beach, and every one plays an important role in keeping our community safe.

And as someone once famously wrote…

“Winter is coming.”(Thanks, George R.R. Martin.) 😉

So here's a simple idea: I've got this one. Can you manage that one?

If there's a fire hydrant near your home, why not adopt it for the winter? Growing up, that's what I saw my father and other neighbours do. As my late brother and I got older, it became part of our chores. Sometimes, we'd spend more time on prepping snowballs for future attacks on one another, but still, the idea of being a good neighbour was something I saw my parents do - and it's something I've learned from them.

The Town has a process for clearing hydrants, but residents can help, too. And when we do, something else happens: We get to know our neighbours.

Maybe we exchange phone numbers. Maybe we discover our neighbour is going away for a week and offer to keep an eye on their home. And maybe they do the same for us.

That's the kind of small-town vibe many of us love.

And here's the thing: that feeling can't come from government.

The Town can provide places like the Library or RecPlex where people can meet. But building relationships with the people who live around us? That's up to us.

AI generated graphic poster

Adopting a fire hydrant gives us three benefits:

🚒 1. SAFETY Keeping snow cleared around a hydrant helps firefighters access it when they need it.

🤝 2. COMMUNITY We get to know our neighbours, exchange phone numbers and look out for one another — especially when someone is away.

💰 3. RESPONSIBLE USE OF TAX DOLLARS When residents can safely do something themselves, that's one less job requiring municipal staff and equipment.

And remember: there is one municipal budget, funded by one taxpayer wallet.

Many of us want more programming for kids and young families. Some want roads improved or widened. Others want better cycling connections.

There are lots of things we want our Town to do.

So let's use municipal resources where they're needed most — and where we can safely help one another, let's help.

Of course, some people can't shovel because of age, disability, illness, travel or other circumstances. That's why the Town's system remains important.

But for those of us who can?

I've got this one. Can you manage that one?

One hydrant. One neighbour. One helping hand.

A stronger, safer Wasaga Beach starts with neighbours.

Thanks for listening!