City of Medicine Hat Restricts River Access.. HELP!

[WOJO]

The only 2 boat launchs on the South Sask river are located in Medicine Hat City Parks. The gates to these parks are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In previous years the park gates were kept open for the majority of the summer. So early mornig access was not an issue. This year the gates will be locked untill 7 a.m. I talked with the Citys Parks GM and his responce was basically to Bad!! Can they restrict access to Federal Waters?? What can one do about this. I guess getting up early to go fishing is not an option. I need some ideas on how to deal with this situation.
HELP!!!!

[WOJO]

Pretty typical Guys. 155 views and not one comment. I guess it's the thank goodness it's not in my back yard syndrome.

[monstermuley]

LOL, well maybe nobody knows what you can do. Maybe they will let you have a key so you can let yourself in, or maybe go get some bolt cutters and keep cutting there locks off.

[RockyMountainMusic]

well i don't know how to help but at a samll local campground which is a park they did the same thing a few years back and there was nothing we could do. They had to leave a fire exit open because it was a campground so that's how people came and left when they pleased anyway but they were allowed to lock the main gate at the road.

[Parks]

(The only 2 boat launchs on the South Sask river are located in Medicine Hat City Parks.)if its in the Park they can lock it as they please just be thankful you still have it may not be as early as you want.

[winged1]

apply for a job as park maintenance. Maybe you'll get a key. On the other hand, if it's a hassle for them, closing maintained access might be a consideration.

[bagwan]

Do the political route, First, do your home work. Find out who else is affected. Get on the politicians (Mayor) if you have enough dissenters. Get the media involved if you can. Numbers count, if enough people cry wolf you might get results. Can't see any other options other than aforementioned bolt cutters and that could be costly. Are there any private enterprise locations that could be built? That wouldn't be free either.

[jrs]

If its like Lethbridge they had it locked for a few years then the city guys got lazy and stopped closing the gates during the week. I think it was done here to lower vandalism rates and other illegal activities. How far of a walk in is it otherwise?

[FisherPotch]

One possible way around it may be to camp on the shore of the river then you could get out early the next morning as well as fish later than the time they lock the gate at night. I guess it realy depends on how big your boat is.

[DUKE]

Is the city liable for trespassers on the land owned along the river after work hours?? river is Federal property but the land and access is town owned.. so try to access on private property,, bottle of rum goes along ways. ;)