Here's why some washrooms in Hamilton parks are still closed — and when they'll open

When Caitlin Donaldson was walking around Bayfront Park in November, she said her trip got cut short.

She walked up to the main washroom at the park and pulled on the doors.

But they didn't open. The washroom was closed for winter.

"That was inconvenient. We drove home," she said.

On Monday, she had to use the washroom again during another stroll at Bayfront Park.

This time, she didn't have to leave early — but spring is well underway and some washrooms are still closed.

According to the city's website, which features a map of park washrooms, 61 are closed and 25 are open. It's unclear how accurate the map is though, because it lists Bayfront's main washroom as closed despite it being open.

Washrooms close to avoid frozen pipes bursting: city

Kara Bunn, manager of parks and cemeteries for the city's environmental services, said staff start opening up washrooms in May once the temperatures are consistently warm and there's no risk of water lines freezing.

"There was a week of below freezing temperatures overnight in mid-April that could've seen pipes frozen and burst if water was turned on, adding costs due to necessary repairs," Bunn said in an e-mail through city spokesperson James Berry.

"Many park washrooms are open now and staff are actively working to open all washrooms in the days ahead."

She said some washrooms are open during daylight hours in the fall and winter as part of a two-year trial period that started in November 2021.

Bunn added washrooms at parks with spray pads will open for the Victoria Day long weekend and washrooms will be open for booking games and practices at sports fields.

'We're in the 21st century'

Blaine Marr, another person walking in Bayfront Park, said he thinks that's a "reasonable" explanation.

He said he hasn't felt too inconvenienced when the washrooms have closed.

Donaldson, meanwhile, said it's "ridiculous" the bathrooms are closed during the winter.

"The parks is still open during the winter," she said.

Donaldson said she's also a social worker and thinks about people living rough who need washroom access or people with medical conditions who can't control when they need to go.

Marr said he thinks Donaldson's comment is also reasonable, but said it's worth considering how often the washrooms are used.

Donaldson said the city has the means to come up with a solution.

"I understand the water pipes freezing but we're in the 21st century, there's got to be a way to fix that."