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Ontario Parks Open; Aaron Park Closed

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Dryden residents won’t be able to enjoy Aaron Park this holiday weekend.

The facility is considered a “Partnership Park” and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks has ordered that these parks remain closed.

Community Services Manager Steve Belanger says “the City of Dryden remains ready to send in staff at a moment’s notice to commence maintenance activities in order to prepare the park for an eventual opening. The City has not been provided an expected timeline for opening or when City staff will be permitted in the park.

Belanger adds “The City has been in constant communication with Province and its regional/Dryden Parks Cluster Manager on the matter.”

The closure comes as Provincial Parks open Friday for day-use.

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek says “You will be able to walk, hike, fish and bike but for now there will be no access to beaches, facilities, camping and group activities. Visitors to the park must continue with physical distancing.”

Yurek adds that you shouldn’t except the park to have washrooms and drinkable water ready to go.

He stresses “It’s important that you come to the park prepared with hand sanitizer, extra water and other supplies.”

According to OntarioParks.com, Pakwash Park near Ear Falls and Ojibway park near Sioux Lookout are also remain closed to the public.

Blue Lake Park north of Vermilion Bay is open for limited day use only but camping is not permitted.

Quetico, Rushing River, Voyageur and most other major parks in the northwest are open to the provincial day use guidelines.

Woodland Caribou is open to fishing and hunting.

 

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Ontario Parks Reopening For Day Use

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The Ontario government is opening provincial parks and conservation reserves for limited day-use.

520 will reopen Monday, with the remaining 115 opening Friday.

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Jeff Yurek says recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking and birdwatching.

Yurek stresses there will be no access to beaches, facilities, camping or group activities.

He adds visitors to the park must continue with physical distancing and staff will be on hand to ensure all of the rules are being followed.

Yurek urges residents to stay local and not travel to a provincial park.

He says “While staff are working as hard as they can to get provincial parks ready to open, they will not have washrooms or drinkable water right away. It’s important that you come to the park prepared with hand sanitizer, extra water and other supplies.”

Yurek notes “Over the next several weeks, Ontario Parks staff will be conducting critical maintenance and other park start-up procedures so that more recreational activities and facilities will be available when it is safe to do so.”

Aaron Park in Dryden is not yet open to the public for day use.

Officials say they are working on a plan to reopen the facility.

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Camping Plans Out For Month Of May

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Bad news if you had camping plans for the May long weekend.

The Ford government has closed provincial parks until May 31st to keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says the closure includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings.

All recreational activities are also banned.

Reservations for arrivals up to, and including, any further closure extension date will be automatically cancelled and reservation holders will receive a full refund with no penalty.

Full refunds will also be provided to anyone who wishes to cancel or change any 2020 camping reservation.

Elliott says “We understand this extension may impact many Ontarians’ plans during the month of May. However, the health and well-being of Ontarians is our government’s number one priority. Although we are making progress to stop the spread, the virus has not yet been contained. As a result, all but essential service workers must continue to stay at home and practice physical distancing.

Aaron Park in Dryden also remains closed until further notice.

Camping on Crown land is also not allowed during the health crisis.