Ontario (Canada) is set to announce the creation of a second new provincial park, offering backcountry camping, four-season facilities, and 250 additional campsites to the Ontario Parks system.
As per a report, although few details have been released, the park will feature swimming, hiking, and cross-country skiing facilities. Minister David Piccini confirmed that the park will “definitively” involve backcountry camping and hinted at an announcement as early as next month.
This new park presents an opportunity for Ontario to protect additional lands, contributing to Canada’s conservation goal of protecting 30% of land by 2030. Currently, 10.9% of land in Ontario is considered protected. Christopher Lemieux, an associate professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, emphasized the importance of each province and territory playing a supporting role in achieving these conservation goals.
The outdoor recreation industry in Ontario and the rest of Canada stands to benefit from the establishment of new provincial parks.
As demand for park usage has surged since the pandemic, especially in southern Ontario, providing additional park spaces can accommodate the increasing interest in outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and skiing. This not only supports local economies and tourism but also encourages a healthy lifestyle and appreciation for nature.
Additionally, the focus on backcountry camping and four-season facilities in the new park highlights the evolving preferences of outdoor enthusiasts.
By catering to these needs, Ontario Parks can attract a wider range of visitors, boosting the province’s outdoor recreation industry. Supporting the growth of this industry can generate jobs and stimulate local economies while also promoting environmental conservation and stewardship.
Over the weekend, Piccini also announced a separate urban provincial park near Uxbridge, Ontario. The park will integrate up to 532 hectares of provincially-owned land along the Oak Ridges Moraine, about 598 hectares of Durham Regional Forest, and 123 hectares of land from the Town of Uxbridge. The goal is to provide more recreational opportunities near the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
In order to determine the park’s amenities, a feasibility study and consultation process will be conducted. Piccini explained that the outcome will inform decisions on possible features, such as new trail systems, backcountry areas, overnight camping, and RV campgrounds. By protecting the land under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, it will also contribute towards federal environmental commitments.
The urban park near Uxbridge, anticipated to open within two years, will be Ontario’s first urban park. Its proximity to the town and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) distinguishes it as an urban park. Piccini spoke of reviewing the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act to add a new classification encompassing this type of area, further expanding the diversity of parks available in the region.
The location of the backcountry provincial park remains undisclosed, but experts hope that the selection will consider the area’s biodiversity. By consulting with the general public and Indigenous partners, the parks can be designed to be more inclusive, addressing accessibility for an aging population or people with disabilities and incorporating Indigenous perspectives. This inclusive approach to park development is crucial in meeting the evolving needs of a diverse population and fostering a greater connection to nature.