Provincial parks closed until at least May 31
By Chad Ingram
Anyone
looking to go camping in a provincial park this spring will be waiting
at least until May is over, and potentially beyond.
looking to go camping in a provincial park this spring will be waiting
at least until May is over, and potentially beyond.
Amid the ongoing
COVID-19 crisis, the provincial government has announced that all its
parks will remain closed until at least May 31.
COVID-19 crisis, the provincial government has announced that all its
parks will remain closed until at least May 31.
“Parks staff are
busy getting properties ready for when they are able to be re-opened to
visitors,” Natalie McMorrow, acting superintendent park superintendent
for Balsam Lake, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands and Indian Point
Provincial Parks, told the Times in an email. “Staff are currently
completing various tasks and required training in preparation for
re-opening provincial parks when it is safe to do so. We are working
hard to ensure that we are prepared to continue to offer exceptional
customer service and camping experiences to park visitors. Ontario Parks
is continuing seasonal recruitment of staff and students as in past
years.”
busy getting properties ready for when they are able to be re-opened to
visitors,” Natalie McMorrow, acting superintendent park superintendent
for Balsam Lake, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands and Indian Point
Provincial Parks, told the Times in an email. “Staff are currently
completing various tasks and required training in preparation for
re-opening provincial parks when it is safe to do so. We are working
hard to ensure that we are prepared to continue to offer exceptional
customer service and camping experiences to park visitors. Ontario Parks
is continuing seasonal recruitment of staff and students as in past
years.”
The closures mean all and any activity in provincial parks is prohibited.
“In
order to keep Ontarians safe during this COVID-19 pandemic, provincial
parks and conservation reserves remain closed,” McMorrow continued.
“This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations,
day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings. We
understand this extension may impact many Ontarians’ plans during the
month of May.”
“In
order to keep Ontarians safe during this COVID-19 pandemic, provincial
parks and conservation reserves remain closed,” McMorrow continued.
“This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations,
day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings. We
understand this extension may impact many Ontarians’ plans during the
month of May.”
According to the Ontario Parks website, reservations
for arrivals up to and including any further closure deadline extension
will be cancelled and completely refunded with no penalty.
“We are
also providing penalty-free refunds to reservation holders who wish to
change or cancel their 2020 camping reservation, regardless of arrival
date,” the website reads.
In the Township of Algonquin Highlands,
its Haliburton Highlands Water Trails remain closed. Some of the
campsites are within Crown land, some within conservation reserves, but
all remain closed at this time. The township is not accepting any new
reservations.
for arrivals up to and including any further closure deadline extension
will be cancelled and completely refunded with no penalty.
“We are
also providing penalty-free refunds to reservation holders who wish to
change or cancel their 2020 camping reservation, regardless of arrival
date,” the website reads.
In the Township of Algonquin Highlands,
its Haliburton Highlands Water Trails remain closed. Some of the
campsites are within Crown land, some within conservation reserves, but
all remain closed at this time. The township is not accepting any new
reservations.
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