All News Releases

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has closed Belwood Lake, Elora Gorge, Guelph Lake and Rockwood conservation areas and will reopen them again on Monday, June 15.

Brant, Byng Island, Conestogo Lake, Laurel Creek, Pinehurst Lake and Shade’s Mills conservation areas, as well as Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, are not impacted by this temporary closure.

On Saturday, June 6, several Grand River Parks experienced significant challenges with visitors who were not following rules and respecting restrictions and closures. GRCA staff reported people not respecting area closures, people on beaches and people not practicing appropriate physical distancing measures.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the GRCA has made the decision to cancel its day camps for the summer of 2020. 

The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and follow the guidance of federal and provincial governments and public health authorities in Ontario.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has added five more conservation areas to the list of properties it has been able to reopen this month since government restrictions in response to COVID-19 forced the closure of all GRCA owned and managed properties in March.

On May 20, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) announced the next stages of its reopening plan for GRCA owned and managed parks, trails and natural areas.

This Saturday, May 23, Belwood Lake (Fergus), Conestogo Lake (Wallenstein), Guelph Lake (Guelph) and Rockwood (Rockwood) conservation areas will reopen for limited recreational activities.

On Saturday, May 23, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will reopen Belwood Lake (Fergus), Conestogo Lake (Wallenstein), Guelph Lake (Guelph) and Rockwood (Rockwood) conservation areas for limited recreational activities such as walking and birdwatching.

Beginning Saturday, May 16, 2020, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will reopen its sections of the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail, and the Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail for biking and hiking. The GRCA’s remaining closed section of the Elora Cataract Trailway will also open on Saturday.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will be spraying an organic pesticide at a number of its properties this spring to control growing populations of gypsy moth.

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, follow governmental direction and actively take steps to help prevent the spread of infection.

The GRCA is cancelling all spring tree planting activities for 2020. This includes online orders, community planting events, private land tree planting projects, as well as the GRCA’s annual tree sale in May.