The public would like access to the private Boblo Island. But how likely is that?

Some Amherstburg residents are calling for more public access to the much beloved Bois Blanc [Boblo] Island: a local spot that holds memories of first dates, family outings at the old amusement park and heritage sites of historic significance.

The island's developer says it will hopefully happen in the next five years — but some are doubtful.

Amico, the company that owns most of the Amherstburg island, has been developing Boblo as a luxurious residential resort and no longer allows public access. Only residents or guests of residents are permitted to use the private ferry that travels back and forth between Boblo and the mainland. While the public can access the federally-owned white sands beach on the southern part of the island, they need to have a private boat to get there.

"The residents like their privacy and so they don't encourage us to let a lot of visitors on the island," explained Cindy Prince, the Vice-President of Development for Amico. 

She added that in recent years, the company had opened the island up to unescorted visitors but that it "didn't work out very well" with people getting hurt on the island, occurrences of damage to property, along with the thefts of endangered snakes off the island. 

New with the old

The most prevalent endangered species on Boblo is the eastern fox snake, which the company has an obligation to protect. Prince said they've had seven snakes stolen off the island in the past. 

"When we're trying to do everything we can to help rebuild the species and protect it and have it thrive, then to have that happen is really horrible," she said.

CBC requested access to the island and Prince escorted us on a tour of the land.

Driving through the island, the homes and new developments are built around the remnants of what the Island once was: the old dock that used to bring people over to the island to visit the amusement park (which ran from 1898 until 1993), the old dance hall building still standing after more than 100 years, plus the powerhouse building — often confused for a church — that powered everything that happened on the island.

For Amherstburg teacher Rob Ferguson, the lack of public access is "a shame."

"I grew up with my dad [and] his love with Boblo, his experience and always taking me there when it was run as an amusement park," he reminisced. He also has fond memories of the island in later years, exploring the abandoned ruins and enjoying the nature. 

Ferguson used to take his high school geography students to the war-time Blockhouse, where they would visit and learn from volunteer Bill Brundage who spent years working to preserve the structure, along with the late engineer Norm Becker. Community funds also contributed to the restoration.

Historical sites

Owned by Amico, the Blockhouse is a federally-designated heritage property built in 1839. It was used by British troops to protect against military threats from Americans. 

Next to the Blockhouse is also an old limestone lighthouse, built in 1836 to help sailors safely navigate the waters for decades. It is owned by and cared for by Parks Canada, sitting on the island's federally-owned land adjacent to the White Sands Conservation Area. 

Ferguson loved sharing the island's history with students, but said it's been eight years since he's done a field trip to the island, because the company started limiting access. 

"Very, very frustrating. very upsetting to see," he said, adding that he believes the island has become a gated community and that he's grown up watching the island "deteriorate."

But Prince says the company is committed to preservation and also plans on making the historic sites available to the public again in the coming years.

"We know it needs to be available for the public, and we'll do that. We just have to make sure we do it in the best way possible," she said.

Two key elements would help move that process along. First of all, the company said it plans on opening a new restaurant, currently in the design stage, to replace one that was torn down. 

Prince says she hopes to see it up and running in the next few years, and once that happens, non-residents will be once again welcome to board the Amico-owned ferry with the restaurant as their destination.

Ongoing construction is a barrier to access

Secondly, the company is also in the middle of developing 220 lots on the south end of the island, and Prince explained that once that construction is completed and that part of the island is more populated with watchful community eyes, it would also help pave the way for more visitors.

Ten units have been built already, with just one occupied at this time. Six other properties have reservation agreements on them. Prince acknowledged that the residential market is "very challenged" right now, and that they're not selling many lots and homes at this time. 

"We're re-evaluating and we're trying to find a way to accommodate people on a private ferry and a privately owned island, but without us picking up the pieces after we've let that happen," she said.

Prince acknowledges that the island is a special place for many in the area, and says that while the island is private, if someone wanted to come and spend a day on Boblo, the company is open to making arrangements.

"But we need to know who you are, when you arrive, when you depart," she said. "It's very important that we make sure you get safely off the island."

Boblo Island resident and Amherstburg's Town Crier Norm Ross agrees that the public should have access to the island. 

Ross loves living on the island as a retiree and used to work on Boblo as a painter, a street scrubber, park appearance manager and sanitation manager for the island back in the day. He also adores history and still collects memorabilia from the island's heyday. 

"This is really a nice resort community," he said. 

"There's a lot of history here ... I'd really very much like to see it shared with everyone."

Mixed opinions

Not all residents are as enthusiastic about the public being welcomed onto the island. Bob Henderson, who has lived on Boblo for seven years, came for the peace and wildlife.

"Eventually there will be public access, but right now it's nice for it just to be a retirement community and it's kind of like a gated community the way it is right now."

He points out that when the public accesses the beach at the White Sands Conservation Area, that sits on federal land, people often leave garbage behind, with some residents left to clean up the mess. 

"Right now we're a community that respects the island, and it's just a beautiful place to be."

While many still long to return to the island, others aren't as sentimental. Amherstburg resident Gino Gardin had his very first date on the island as a 16-year old boy. 

"It was always a great place to go. The rides were great," he recalled, but he understands why it's been developed into a residential area and has no interest in going over now.

"There's nothing over there for us, you know?" he said. "It's days gone by, you know. Things move forward."

Ferguson however, believes that if the company opens the island back up, residents will become more invested in it. But, he said he doesn't trust the company's comments about eventually allowing public access.

"They've been promising these things forever," he said.

He still has hope that the island will become accessible to non-residents once again, with sincere preservation efforts to maintain the beauty and protect the history of the beloved island, which Prince says Amico is committed to doing.