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All provincial parks remain closed to the public

UPDATE APRIL 25 – The provincial government is extending the closure of Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves to May 31, 2020. This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings.

Provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue to remain fully closed to all recreational activities.

Reservations for arrivals up to, and including, any further closure extension date will be automatically cancelled and reservation holders will receive a full refund with no penalty. There are also providing penalty-free refunds to reservation holders who wish to change or cancel their 2020 camping reservation, regardless of arrival date.

MARCH 18 – All provincial parks will be closed to the public as of Thursday, March 18.

Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, issued the notice about Ontario Parks operations in response to COVID-19 developments.

“As COVID-19 continues to quickly evolve, we want to ensure public safety and the well-being of our visitors and staff in Ontario’s provincial parks. In order to assist the province with its efforts to keep Ontarians safe during this time, all provincial parks will be closed to the public from March 19, 2020 until April 30, 2020

This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities and all public buildings. Provincial Parks in the County include Sandbanks, North Beach and Lake on the Mountain.

Any person or group with a reservation for arrival up to April 30 will automatically be provided a full refund with no penalty.

As penalty-free refunds will automatically be issued, the public is asked to avoid canceling reservations online, as this may trigger an automatic penalty.

 

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  1. Angela says:

    We have other places to walk so there is no reason to complain. There is the Millennium Trail and Glenwood Cemetery has walking trails to name two. The closure of the parks should be the least of our worries.

  2. Susan says:

    If they don’t stop it now perhaps they will have a much worse situation this summer.

  3. Lynne says:

    Keeping walkers out is insane, if it’s for a liability reason, should be posted USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. People need to get out and enjoy fresh air and nature at this Crazy Time.

  4. Michelle says:

    There are still lots of people entering the Park since closure and walking or dog walking. There is no signage.

  5. Cheryl Anderson says:

    I agree closing the parks at this time of year is short-sighted. However we are lucky in PEC to have lots of other places to enjoy nature and fresh air. The Millennium trail is easy to access from anywhere in the County. Our South Shore has several good walking trails Altho’ they are a little muddy at this time of year. The walk from Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory to the lighthouse is easy and you might even see our visiting Spotted Towhee. Don’t let this decision keep you from getting outside on these glorious spring days.

  6. MI says:

    Ok,I get not interacting with staff, but no day use? JUST STUPID!
    The province CAN correct this by allowing day use. The health benefits in getting some fresh air and exercise are substantial both mentally and physically. Let’s inform our elected officials that this is not acceptable.
    Shame on them for being so short sighted.

  7. Bob Norton says:

    New York state opens all parks free so families can get out in the fresh air and Ontario closes its. Who’s right,its not ours to decide.

  8. Dennis Fox says:

    Just today I saw on the news that Canada’s Public Health Dept. recommends that people get outside to walk and exercise. I don’t understand why the provincial parks are being shut down – unless they are concerned about some kind of liability issue(s). If this is the case, then people would be banned from walking down the street – which shows just how out of step this decision is.

  9. Christina says:

    They should be available for walking thru…

  10. Angela says:

    They close the parks but leave the beer and liquor stores open. It would seem likely that the latter would draw a bigger crowd at this time of year.

  11. Sue says:

    Silly! It’s totally safe to go for a walk,fresh air & basically no one else is there. My parents & I walked there Monday last & saw no one. It felt great to get out for a bit.

  12. John Cree says:

    Here is the link to the information regarding the conservation areas in the Rideau Valley: https://www.rvca.ca/news/rvca-waiving-fees-at-local-conservation-areas

  13. John Cree says:

    This is stupidly contradictory to the actions of our local conservation authorities who are actually waiving fees for access the the conservation areas because “public health officials encourage people to get out and enjoy a walk during these stressful times”. There is no risk to staff in the provincial parks at this time of year because none are required.

  14. Gary says:

    Oh gosh! We can’t go in June to August cause you cannot get in, and now we can’t walk in the Park in March. Fail to quite get this one.

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