Premier Doug Ford and the province are opening provincial parks and conservation reserves for limited day-use access beginning Monday.
The province is allowing access for limited recreational activities at Ontario Parks, while maintaining physical distancing.
At this time, recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking and bird-watching. Day visitors will also be able to access all parks and conservation reserves for free until the end of the month.
There will be no access to beaches, facilities, camping or group activities. Visitors MUST continue physical distancing.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Jeff Yurek reminds residents to stay local. Yurek says Ontarians should still be reducing the amount of unnecessary travel to other areas of the province. If planning to visit a provincial park, please only visit the park closest to your community.
The first areas will open on Monday May 11, 2020, with the remaining areas opening on Friday May 15, 2020.
“As we continue to make progress in our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, we are carefully and cautiously reopening the province, starting with certain businesses and retailers, and now our provincial parks and conservation reserves,” said Premier Ford. “I encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but please do so in a responsible way. Practise physical distancing and follow the rules set out by health care officials to stop the spread of this virus.”
On Monday, 520 provincial parks and conservation reserves across the province will open, and the remaining 115 will open on the following Friday for limited day-use activities. At this time, camping and other activities are not permitted at any provincial park or conservation reserve. All buildings and facilities including washrooms, water taps, campgrounds, backcountry campsites, roofed accommodations, playgrounds, and beaches continue to be closed.
“People are eager to enjoy the warmer weather, stretch their legs and reconnect with nature,” said Minister Yurek. “In consultation with our health experts, we’re working to slowly phase-in the opening of Ontario Parks in a measured way to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff. People should take note that not all amenities will be open and plan accordingly.”
Over the next several weeks, Ontario Parks’ staff will be conducting critical maintenance and other parks start-up procedures, so that more recreational activities and facilities will be available when it is safe to do so.
Before planning your trip, please visit www.ontarioparks.com/park-locator to check the status of your local provincial park.
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