GRCA playgrounds and tubing to reopen on long weekend

The GRCA will be reopening playgrounds at Grand River Parks, as well as its tubing operations at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area on Saturday, August 1.

GRCA playgrounds

“We conduct annual safety inspections of the playground equipment within our parks. Due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic on our operations, these inspections were delayed and playgrounds were expected to remain closed in 2020,” says Pam Walther-Mabee, GRCA Manager of Conservation Areas. “With all of our watershed municipalities now in Stage 3 of the Province’s framework for reopening, we have reviewed our initial decision. Our staff have been completing the required inspections and we’re pleased to be able to offer another amenity for visitors in our parks this year.”

Nevertheless, Grand River Parks continue to operate at a reduced capacity. As such, sanitization of playground equipment is not possible. Park visitors are reminded that all GRCA playground activity is at the risk of the user and should be supervised closely by caregivers. Playground users are asked to maintain physical distancing on the equipment and to ensure their hands are washed or sanitized before and after playground use. Signage will be posted at playgrounds to remind visitors of health and safety considerations.

Tubing at Elora Gorge Conservation Area

Tubing operations will also resume on Saturday, August 1, but will be limited this season with new protocols in place to ensure visitor and staff safety. 

Visitors will need to purchase tickets for tubing online in advance of arriving at Elora Gorge Conservation Area. This includes equipment rentals if needed. No walk up sales for tubing will be available at the park. Park admission is separate, and must be paid upon entry at the gate.

The tubing hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the last equipment rental out at 4 p.m. Rented equipment must be returned by 7 p.m. on the same day. Tubing fees are non-refundable and non-exchangeable for any reason after the order transaction is completed online through the GRCA’s website. The only exception to this policy will occur if tubing is closed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Visitors are reminded that tubing takes place on a natural river, and it may shut down without notice for many different reasons, including those times when river levels are too high. River levels can rise rapidly following heavy rainfall.

For complete details about tubing at Elora Gorge Conservation Area, please visit the GRCA’s tubing page. Please visit the Elora Gorge page for more information about the park.

More information

Visitors are reminded that Grand River Parks are very busy on weekends and holidays and often reach capacity. Once a park has reached capacity, it will be closed for the remainder of the day and no additional visitors will be permitted entry. People may wish to consider visiting the parks during the week, when they are less busy.

Visitors can check www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus to find out if a park is welcoming visitors or if it has reached its daily capacity. The site provides real-time updates regarding the status of each park.

Overnight camping has also reopened at Brant, Byng Island, Elora Gorge, Guelph Lake, Pinehurst Lake and Rockwood conservation areas and reservations are being accepted through the GRCA’s Campsite Reservation System. Reservations may only be made online, in advance. Walk-up campsite bookings are not being accepted at the gatehouse. Much like day use activities, there is increased demand for camping on weekends and some weekends are sold out. People are encouraged to book a campsite during the week if possible.

Like many organizations and businesses across Ontario, the GRCA has adapted its operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even where the Province and the local health units permit an activity to occur or facility to open, the GRCA has determined that certain activities will not occur and certain facilities will not open on GRCA properties at this time.

Visitors should check www.grandriver.ca/COVID19-FAQ for information about which facilities and services are available before visiting Grand River Parks. If visitors have further questions, they are asked to contact the parks directly.

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Media contacts:

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca

Cam Linwood, Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251  |  Email clinwood@grandriver.ca