Yacht club signs over park land righting clerical error made in 1939

Setting right a clerical error made in 1939, The Prince Edward Yacht Club will sign over the title of the Queen Elizabeth (Hill Street) Park transferring the land – officially – back to the municipality.

In a report to council, Aynsley Osborne, the County’s development co-ordinator, reports the title correction was necessary “due to an error made in 1939 when the property was transferred and registered on title. The original 1939 metes and bounds description intended to deed some land to the Yacht Club (PEYC) save and except the park lands. As staff had been unaware of the title error, operations staff have long maintained this park today as if it were owned by the municipality.”

Staff sought a mutual agreement to settle the land issue with PEYC’s board of directors.

The board had originally requested ownership of the Fairfield Street parking lot – the only land access to the club and its parking lot.

Osborne noted staff were not in support of the parking lot transfer “as it would interfere with future underground infrastructure needs, snow removal, maintenance and equipment access to the park the County maintains. Additionally, the property of 28 Fairfield St., was provided access to two parking spots located within the Fairfield Street parking lot as part of a re-zoning decision in 2019.”

The agreement includes transfer (for the price of $1.13) of :
– the ownership of the portion of the water lot (shown in green on the sketch);
– the municipality’s interest in the two docks and moorings (dock facilities)
– and recognizes PEYC will have non-exclusive use of the public parking lot lands (outlined in blue) in perpetuity for parking of PEYC’s members and clients.

Public access at/near the yacht club continues as the boardwalk remains under municipal ownership. While the yacht club will continue to use the Fairfield Street parking lot as it does now, it will remain a public parking area.

PE Yacht Club circa 1955