Port Post: March 2026
We've almost made it.
Good morning, Newcastle!
Let’s start with upcoming events around the Port:
☘️ March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
🏃 March 13-20: March Break!
🌺 March 20: Spring Equinox!
📖 March 31: Port Prose Book Club Meeting
🐻❄️ April 4: Polar Bear Swim
🚮 April 18: Port Cleanup!
🏷️ May 2: Community Garage Sale
Have something to add? 📩 portpostnewcastle@gmail.com
Whistle Cessation
For several years, residents of Wilmot Creek have been advocating to cease train whistles around the Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road CN Rail crossings. Most recently, as a result of observed trespassing on the tracks, CN has identified additional safety requirements estimated at a cost of $925K which the municipality is now working to meet before whistles can stop.
Port of Newcastle Marina and Tennis Club, 1994
The Results Are In!
Thanks to all those who participated in the community event interest survey. To get involved, please contact Brandon Hebert.
Beginning in May, meet your neighbours each Saturday at 9:30 AM at Pearce Farm Park and take the kids through the local trails for an easy walk, ride, run, bike, stroll, scooter, etc. It is a great way to get your steps in, get the kids out of the house, and give mom a break for an hour or so.
For more information head to: https://tinyurl.com/2mj2dezb
Polar Plunge at Bond Head
Due to unsafe conditions on New Year’s Day, Autism Home Base’s Polar Plunge was rescheduled to April 4, 2026 at Bond Head Parkette! Clarington Fire Fighters will be on hand keeping everyone safe. There will be a bonfire and BBQ to warm up! Registration starts at 12:45pm and swimmers will start entering the water at 2:00pm.
Our bylaw reminder this month relates to Responsible Pet Ownership
The Municipality of Clarington’s Responsible Pet Owners’ By-law establishes rules to promote humane treatment of animals, public safety, and responsible pet ownership. It requires all dogs and cats over 12 weeks old to be licensed annually, wear identification tags, and meet minimum care standards, including adequate food, shelter, medical attention, and protection from weather. The by-law limits the number of pets permitted per property (generally three dogs and three unaltered cats), regulates leash-free areas, enforces “stoop and scoop” requirements, and sets specific rules for restricted pit bulls in accordance with provincial legislation.
OFF-LEASH DOGS: A Port resident was bitten on the leg by an off-leash dog while walking in Samuel Wilmot Nature Area in February and required medical attention.
Even well-behaved dogs can react unpredictably, and not everyone is comfortable around dogs. For the safety of everyone — please ensure your dogs remain leashed in accordance with Clarington’s bylaw.
The Spring Melt
As winter snowbanks begin to shrink, the runoff flows into catch basins and storm sewers. If drains are clogged with sand, leaves, or ice, water can back up onto streets and into low-lying areas. Because Newcastle sits along the north shore of Lake Ontario, high lake levels can also slow drainage during peak melt periods. Residents can help by ensuring sewers remain clear, as even small blockages can cause significant pooling when snowmelt is sustained over several days.
2026 is Municipal Election Year
With the municipal election in late October still more than eight months away, Regional Councillor and incumbent Willie Woo announced on February 9 that he intends to seek re-election as Regional Councillor for Wards 3 and 4 at Durham Regional Council.
Willie was first elected as Ward 3 Local Councillor in 2006, later serving multiple terms as Regional Councillor for Wards 3 and 4 before retiring in 2018. After a four-year absence, he returned to politics and was elected by acclamation in the 2022 municipal election, meaning he faced no opponents.
Voter turnout in Clarington in 2022 was just 28%, despite voting being held online over several days.
It’s That Time of Year! Annual Port Cleanup
Now in it’s 13th year, the Port cleanup was started by Leo Blindenbach with only 3 people and has now grown to over 200 people.
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register at Admiral’s Walk Clubhouse at 10:00 am; enjoy coffee and hot chocolate.
Volunteers sign up for designated areas of the neighbourhood and are provided with bags, gloves, etc.
Complimentary BBQ Lunch at 11:30 am, courtesy of Palmieri’s NoFrills
Community service hours available for students.
Sponsors & Supporters: Greg Lewis Insurance Agency, Admiral’s Walk Clubhouse, Kaitlin Corporation, Algoma Orchards, DJ Concepts, RJN Limited, Samuel Wilmot Nature Area, Municipality of Clarington.
You can also organize your own cleanup by contacting operations@clarington.net. The municipality will provide garbage bags and gloves and coordinate the disposal of the collected waste.
Our pet profile this month is Ollie! 🐾
This is Ollie, a 9 month old German Australian Shepherd! He joined our family last summer. He is extremely smart albeit a little chattier than our golden retrievers were. But he has been a great addition to our family and we are currently doing agility training!
Guess what? Newcastle Pet Supply has hopped on board to provide a swag bag for each month’s pet profiled! Featured friends can stop in to the store to pick it up!
Spotted: An epic snow fort right here in the Port!
The Port Post is on Instagram! 📷✨ Follow along here.
THANK YOU to our generous and encouraging sponsors, Sensational Seams, Newcastle Pet Supply, Sandra Squires and Brandon Hebert. 🙏
Take a look at this month’s real estate blog brought to you by Port resident and realtor Brandon Hebert:
Information about sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
You can find a print edition of the Port Post in your mailbox later this month, and we’ll be back here with another digital edition in April! 🌧️🌸
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