Ontario’s Provincial Parks
Ontario has 334 provincial parks that attract about 9.5 million visits annually.
In autumn of 2012, the McGuinty government made the decision to stop overnight stays at nine provincial parks. The provincial parks — Caliper Lake (Nestor Falls), Fushimi Lake (Hearst), Greenwater (Cochrane), Ivanhoe Lake (Foleyet), Mississagi (Elliot Lake), Obatanga (Wawa), René Brunelle (Moonbeam/Kapuskasing), Tidewater (Moosonee), The Shoals (Chapleau) — are victims of the government’s cost-cutting initiative. Springwater (Midhurst) in the south is also losing overnight camping.
Comments were accepted on the Environmental Registry #011-6751 (www.ebr.gov.on.ca) until 13-Nov-2012. On January 16, 2013, the Ministry decided to proceed with the proposal.
According to former Minister of Natural Resources, Michael Gavelle, “There will continue to be 29 operating parks in northeastern Ontario and well over 80 non-operating parks”. Gravelle said the 10 parks that get selected for the downgrade will still be designated protected areas and there will be no change to the rules on industrial activities.
According to the MNR, only 95,000 people visited those 10 parks last year.
Minister Michael Gravelle told the Star the “tough” decision should save about $6 million in operating and capital costs. He cited expensive upgrades and a low number of visits for contributing to the decision to make the parks daytime only.
Locals argue there would have been more campers had the ministry allowed more seasonal campsites.
12-Feb-2013 Ivanhoe Provincial Park, Fushimi Lake and René Brunelle offered a reprieve. (Article)
22-Sep-2015 Ivanhoe Lake, Fushimi Lake and René Brunelle to be operated 2016 through 2019. (Article)
“Friends of Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park” – www.facebook.com
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René Brunelle park had more than 15,000 visitors this season (2012), growing steadily from 10,000 two years ago, according to a CBC report.
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Springwater Provincial Park, Midhurst
Located just north of Barrie, Springwater Provincial Park is maintained park covering 193 ha (477 acres). The park was established around 1906, 107 years ago. The park features a small wildlife zoo/animal sanctuary and the Vespra Boys cenotaph.
Excerpt from Township of Springwater website (www.springwater.ca) on 14-Feb-2013:
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Through communication we've received from the Ministry of Natural Resources, we know:
•In advance of the 2013 season, Springwater is one of 10 identified parks that will change from ‘operating’ to ‘non-operating’ status. This change is based on Ministry of Natural Resources budget assessments compared with park visitation and operational feasibility.
•All ‘non-operating’ parks continue to be protected under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and will not be sold.
•‘Non-operating’ means that maintenance and facilities - such as comfort stations, park maintenance, trail maintenance and camping amenities - will no longer be offered in the parks.
•Visitors can still use ‘non-operating’ parks for day use - and they can enjoy these recreational activities free of charge.
At the end of the 2012 operating season wild animal viewing will no longer be available to the public at this location. Ontario Parks is in the process of considering options to relocate these animals to other suitable facilities close to Springwater.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to send their concerns to the Ministry of Natural Resources and to our local MPP, Jim Wilson.
“We were surprised with the announcement issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and disappointed that we were not notified in advance. The details of their intention to change the status from an ‘operating’ park to a ‘non-operating’ park have not been fully explained to us. We have been told that Springwater Park will remain operational until March 31, 2013. You can be assured that we will stay close to the Springwater Park announcements with a very watchful eye.” – Mayor Linda Collins, Township of Springwater
UPDATE: (August 5, 2015) Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson is pleased to announce that after a three year long battle with the Liberal government Springwater Park has reopened to the public for daily use. Wilson congratulates residents of the community and all those involved for their hard work and dedication to make this day a reality. (article)
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For more info:
Springwater Park Citizens’ Coalition (SPCC)
Friends of Springwater Park and search for “Friends of Springwater Provincial Park” on www.facebook.com
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Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
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2015-09-22 |
Government of Ontario |
Ontario to Continue Operating Three Northern Provincial Parks |
- Ivanhoe Lake, Fushimi Lake, René Brunelle - 2016-2019 |
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2015-08-05 |
Jim Wilson MPP |
Wilson Thanks Community for Their Efforts with Reopening Springwater Park |
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2014-09-03 |
Government of Ontario |
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2014-09-03 |
Environmental Defence |
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2013-02-14 |
Rock 95 News |
Simcoe County to Continue Lobbying the Province to Save Springwater Park |
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2013-02-12 |
Timmins Press |
Editorial: Skewed parks agreement buys time to right a wrong |
Ron Grech |
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2012-12-31 |
Care2 Petition |
Crystal Tracey, petition now closed |
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2012-10-30 |
Woodall’s Campground Management |
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2012-10-20 |
SaultStar.com |
A penny saved on campgrounds is another pound of flesh from North |
Tom Mills |
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2012-10-05 |
Toronto Star |
Decision to end overnight camping at 10 provincial parks a blow to northern Ontario, critics say |
Richard J. Brennan |
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2012-10-04 |
Straight Good News |
Julie Dupuis |
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2012-10-01 |
99.3FM EZ Rock |
Rebecca Fryer |
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2012-10-01 |
CBC News |
Hurt tourism and impact local community |
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2012-09-27 |
Toronto Sun |
Jonathan Jenkins |
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2012-09-27 |
Toronto Star |
Rob Ferguson 28 full-time and 102 seasonal jobs chopped |
"It can't be the money – they're spending hundreds of millions of dollars to re-locate power plants." Al Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing
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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
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