GRCA temporarily closes some Grand River Parks

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.

Elora Quarry Conservation Area remains closed until further notice.

Over the past few weeks, several Grand River Parks have experienced significant challenges with the number of visitors in attendance. In addition, some visitors are not following rules and are disregarding provincial guidelines established to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Beyond people not respecting area closures, congregating in large groups and not practicing appropriate physical distancing measures, a considerable amount of garbage and other waste is being left throughout the parks and natural areas.

It has also been noted that some people are accessing the conservation areas without paying the standard entrance fees. While it is often thought that the GRCA’s Grand River Parks are funded through tax dollars, this is not the case. These areas are able to operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and kayak rentals.

All of these challenges have put further strain on the GRCA’s already limited resources.

“Given the limited staff that the GRCA currently has in place, and the work we need to complete in order to prepare our conservation areas for additional activities, we are temporarily closing the parks where we’ve had the most significant challenges,” says Pam Walther-Mabee, Manager of Conservation Areas. “We are taking this action so that our staff can focus on completing this work, rather than managing capacity and enforcement issues.”

Additional activities and services

On Monday, June 8, the Ontario government announced more businesses and services will be permitted to reopen as of June 12 in many regions of the province that will enter Stage 2 in the government’s the reopening framework. This announcement applies to most conservation areas within the Grand River watershed, with the exception of Byng Island in Haldimand County, which remains in Stage 1 at this time. Beginning June 15, the GRCA will begin to open beaches and some washrooms in most of its conservation areas, except Byng Island.

In light of the province’s recent announcement, the GRCA will also be making a decision on its ability to offer additional activities, such as overnight camping in the near future. A decision on overnight camping is anticipated by the end of June, and will be communicated via the GRCA’s website, social media channels and through the news media.

“As the GRCA reopens, the health and safety of staff and the community remain our highest priority. In addition to our ability to meet the government’s new public health and safety requirements, as a board, we will also need to consider the financial feasibility of reopening these additional activities,” says GRCA Chair Helen Jowett. “Like many organizations and businesses across Ontario, the GRCA’s operations have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Ontario, and follow the guidance of federal and provincial governments and public health authorities. However, even where the province and the local health units permit an activity to occur or facility to open, the GRCA may determine that certain activities will not occur and certain facilities will not open on GRCA properties.

For more information about which GRCA properties are open and closed to the public, and what activities are permissible, please visit www.grandriver.ca/COVID19-FAQ.

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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