The gate was put in place last year and it was locked on Nov. 1 by the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, which oversees maintenance of the park.

"In order to access the striped-bass fishery here on Grand Lake, we have to use this park," said Ryan Anderson, who runs School of Fish Guide Service. "A couple of weeks ago they put a gate up and we haven't been able to get boats in here since."