A section of trail heading down to the Albion Falls has been closed due to safety concerns after two recent rescues.
It will remain closed indefinitely, pending the city's decision on what to do with the area, said east Mountain Councillor Tom Jackson.
The move comes shortly after city staff met at the natural attraction next to Mountain Brow Boulevard to talk about safety concerns following an Aug. 10 incident in which a 10-year-old boy was rescued when he fell off a steep slope next to the waterfall.
After the meeting, it was agreed more warning and "use at your own risk" signs would be installed as a temporary measure.
But not long after, a 75-year-old man became stuck while walking around the ledge. His was the fourth rope rescue by firefighters in the gorge in two months.
Tennessee Propedo, Hamilton's manager of parks, said the decision was then made to cordon off the steps on the south side to prevent anyone else getting stuck while heading up or down the trail leading to the bottom of the falls.
"The stairs are in disrepair, they're breaking apart," he said. "We're just trying to make sure we do everything possible to keep citizens safe."
Jackson, who was on the site visit, said he wants to make sure the area remains accessible to residents and tourists, but it must be done "as safely as possible."
The section could be permanently cordoned off to minimize any chance of misadventure, he said, or the city may decide to construct another set of steps to allow access to the bottom of the falls. A second viewing platform, on the south side of Albion Falls, is another option, he said.
Hamilton Community News
A section of trail heading down to the Albion Falls has been closed due to safety concerns after two recent rescues.
It will remain closed indefinitely, pending the city's decision on what to do with the area, said east Mountain Councillor Tom Jackson.
The move comes shortly after city staff met at the natural attraction next to Mountain Brow Boulevard to talk about safety concerns following an Aug. 10 incident in which a 10-year-old boy was rescued when he fell off a steep slope next to the waterfall.
After the meeting, it was agreed more warning and "use at your own risk" signs would be installed as a temporary measure.
But not long after, a 75-year-old man became stuck while walking around the ledge. His was the fourth rope rescue by firefighters in the gorge in two months.
Tennessee Propedo, Hamilton's manager of parks, said the decision was then made to cordon off the steps on the south side to prevent anyone else getting stuck while heading up or down the trail leading to the bottom of the falls.
"The stairs are in disrepair, they're breaking apart," he said. "We're just trying to make sure we do everything possible to keep citizens safe."
Jackson, who was on the site visit, said he wants to make sure the area remains accessible to residents and tourists, but it must be done "as safely as possible."
The section could be permanently cordoned off to minimize any chance of misadventure, he said, or the city may decide to construct another set of steps to allow access to the bottom of the falls. A second viewing platform, on the south side of Albion Falls, is another option, he said.
Hamilton Community News
A section of trail heading down to the Albion Falls has been closed due to safety concerns after two recent rescues.
It will remain closed indefinitely, pending the city's decision on what to do with the area, said east Mountain Councillor Tom Jackson.
The move comes shortly after city staff met at the natural attraction next to Mountain Brow Boulevard to talk about safety concerns following an Aug. 10 incident in which a 10-year-old boy was rescued when he fell off a steep slope next to the waterfall.
After the meeting, it was agreed more warning and "use at your own risk" signs would be installed as a temporary measure.
But not long after, a 75-year-old man became stuck while walking around the ledge. His was the fourth rope rescue by firefighters in the gorge in two months.
Tennessee Propedo, Hamilton's manager of parks, said the decision was then made to cordon off the steps on the south side to prevent anyone else getting stuck while heading up or down the trail leading to the bottom of the falls.
"The stairs are in disrepair, they're breaking apart," he said. "We're just trying to make sure we do everything possible to keep citizens safe."
Jackson, who was on the site visit, said he wants to make sure the area remains accessible to residents and tourists, but it must be done "as safely as possible."
The section could be permanently cordoned off to minimize any chance of misadventure, he said, or the city may decide to construct another set of steps to allow access to the bottom of the falls. A second viewing platform, on the south side of Albion Falls, is another option, he said.
Hamilton Community News