Latest news with #OntarioParks
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Making a day trip to an Ontario provincial park this August long weekend? Here's what to do so you're not turned away at the gate
Ontario has more than 300 provincial parks where you can go hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, birdwatching and so much more. You can enjoy provincial parks for just a few hours a day, referred to as day use, or you can camp overnight. Some parks also host events, or offer roofed accommodations, seasonal campsites, RV sites and more. A day use visit allows you to enjoy the many nature offerings of a provincial park without the hassle of having to pack for an overnight stay; plus, it's cheaper than booking a campsite. However, if you are planning on making a day use visit to one of the hundreds of provincial parks, particularly on a busy weekend such as the upcoming Civic Holiday long weekend, there's something you need to know to avoid the disappointment of being turned away at the gate. Ontario Parks, the Crown organization that runs provincial parks, reminds visitors that parks can get busy and there's a limit to how many visitors are permitted to enter each day. So if you arrive and the park is already full, you will be turned away. Ontario Parks advises visitors to book their spot in advance to guarantee their spot for the day. This can be done via the Ontario Parks online reservation service . The service allows you to purchase a vehicle permit for most parks up to five days before your visit. Just be aware that some parks don't offer this service and operate on a first come, first served basis. A daily vehicle permit allows entry for one vehicle and all its passengers. A regular Ontario Parks daily vehicle permit will typically run you between $12.25 and $21. Most day use permits are valid from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but some parks may operate at different hours. Seasonal permit holders are advised that their seasonal permit doesn't guarantee entry. Seasonal permit holders are advised to book their day use spot in advance to avoid being turned away at the gate. They will not be charged an extra fee for advance booking. Not all provincial parks are created equal, and each has their own features, activities and amenities. You can use the Park Locator to discover the available facilities and activities at each park. For example, you can use the Park Locator to check whether a park has a place to swim, washrooms, barbecue areas, fire pits, playgrounds, picnic areas, food concessions, equipment rentals and more. Rentals, available at some parks, include such equipment as bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, standup paddle boards and more. You can discover if rentals are available at a particular park through the Park Locator service. Each provincial park has its own set of rules and posted minimum fines for breaking them — including things such as parking in a non-designated area, damaging property or not adhering to liquor or cannabis laws. When it comes to alcohol, drinking and possessing alcohol is not permitted inside Ontario Parks except at your own registered campsite, so day use visitors will need to leave their alcoholic beverages at home. The province sets out the minimum fines for breaking the rules, which you can check on the Ontario Parks rules web page . A quick highlight of some of the minimum fines includes: Provincial park wardens enforce laws at provincial parks. These officers have the same power and authority as members of the Ontario Provincial Police within provincial parks. Breaking laws within provincial parks can also get you evicted, with a prohibition of re-entry for 72 hours. You can read a more fulsome breakdown of the fines and rules on the Ontario Parks website . More information about Ontario Parks is available online .
Ottawa Citizen
24-07-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
OPP sound the alarm following 10 drownings so far this season
Article content Since there are no lifeguards on their beaches, they do make PFDs available to borrow free of charge. This service is available to visitors at 70 of its participating parks. Article content Ontario Parks also reminds people never to leave children unattended, especially in the water, regardless of how shallow it may be. Article content According to the Canadian Red Cross, 'the absence of adult supervision is a factor in most child drownings,' regardless of whether a child can swim or not. Article content Ontario Parks added that while water wings and inflatable tubes are great, they are not a substitute for a PFD/lifejacket and full-time adult supervision. Article content Wearing a lifejacket has multiple benefits if you find yourself in a water-related situation. It can pop you back up to the surface, give you time to adjust to the situation, catch your breath, and call for help. Article content On what is currently the Lifesaving Society's national Drowning Prevention Week (July 20-26), the organization noted in a news release that drowning claims the lives of hundreds of Canadians each year. 'Over 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents annually. Even one drowning is too many,' the release said. Article content Article content This year's campaign is urging people to be 'safer together.' Article content 'This year's National Drowning Prevention Week is all about the easy ways that anyone can have a safer experience in or around the water. Safer together means you swim with someone instead of alone, and you wear a lifejacket instead of keeping it next to you in the boat. It's simple steps like these that make sure your day on the water ends happily,' said Lifesaving Society Ontario's Stephanie Bakalar. Article content In Ontario, 100% of drownings among children under the age of five occurred when supervision was absent or distracted. Article content Swimming alone accounted for 71% of drowning deaths in adults aged 65 and older, and 57% in adults aged 35 to 64. Article content Only 1% of drownings occur in lifeguard-supervised settings. Article content In boating-related fatalities, 89% of victims were not wearing a lifejacket. Article content Some tips include: Article content Actively supervise children anytime they are in or near the water. Article content Always swim with a buddy. Article content The safest place to swim is where the lifeguards are. Article content Lifejackets can save your life.
Hamilton Spectator
23-07-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for season
It's official, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for the 2025 season. Ontario Parks made the announcement today, noting the severe storm on June 21, 2025, resulted in extensive damage from the falling trees and conditions remain hazardous. Ontario Parks noted in a release, 'Because of the magnitude of damage, Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will remain closed for the 2025 season.' The storm on June 21 fell many trees within the park, trapping campers and destroying trailers, tens, and vehicles. Multiple people were injured, but there were no fatalities. The damage was not contained within Samuel de Champlain Park. Nearby Kiosk Campground in Algonquin Park was also hit, and Calvin and Bonfield Townships declared states of emergency as the roads and telecommunications were so damaged. See: 'Longest night of our lives,' enduring Samuel De Champlain weekend storm As for keeping Samuel de Champlain closed, Ontario Parks said, 'We understand that this closure will affect your plans and apologize for the inconvenience. You may be interested in our 'Availability Notifications' feature which directly emails you if a campsite becomes available for the park and dates that interest you. Simply click the green 'Notify Me' button when searching for a reservation to set up your notifications.' See: BACK ROADS BILL: Storm flattens forest, crushes vehicles at Canadian Ecology Centre If you have a reservation for the park, you will need to cancel. Do so by July 30, 2025. Ontario Parks emphasized, 'If we If we have not heard from you by 9:00 pm ET on July 30, your reservation will be automatically cancelled, and you will receive a full refund. Please allow up to ten business days for your refund to appear on your credit card statement.' No cancellation fees will apply, Ontario Parks added. Ontario Parks can be reached at 1-888-668-7275 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Storm at northern Ont. park likely caused millions in damage
One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. Since then, investigators with the Northern Tornadoes Project have determined a strong downburst caused the damage and not a tornado. The cleanup process is ongoing, but's going to be a while before things are back to anything close to normal. Damage11 A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) This week, Warren Verina, the park's superintendent, took CTV News on a tour of the park to see the damage first-hand. It's an eerie feeling inside the campground. Thousands and thousands of trees were toppled by strong winds and heavy rainfall. 'The scope and scale are hard to fathom,' Verina said. The park's two campgrounds -- Babawasse and Jingwakoki -- bore the brunt of the storm. Campers forced to flee left behind tents, trailers and vehicles. One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. 'This is the first major storm event that I've been part of and I've been with Ontario Parks for about 19 seasons.' — Warren Verina, park superintendent A nearby washroom facility, Verina said, was a safe haven for some campers who used it to shelter in place while the storm barrelled through. 'This is the first major storm event that I've been part of and I've been with Ontario Parks for about 19 seasons,' he said. Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Expand Autoplay 1 of 11 Damage10 It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage2 One pickup truck had extensive windshield damage with branches through the glass. A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Park damage1 Warren Verina, superintendent of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, took CTV News on a tour of the park to see the damage first-hand. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage3 Thousands and thousands of trees were toppled by strong winds and heavy rainfall. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage4 Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage5 The June 22 storm forced campers to flee left behind tents, trailers and vehicles. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage6 Investigators with the Northern Tornadoes Project have determined a strong downburst caused the damage and not a tornado. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage8 Deeper into the campground is the Canadian Ecology Centre, where all 19 of the centre's cabins were damaged by fallen trees. Assistant general manager Laura Kielpinski said the campground will begin removing the debris starting Wednesday. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage7 It has been a little over two weeks since a monster of a storm ripped through Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, just west of Mattawa, Ont., downing trees and trapping campers. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage9 About a dozen Ontario Parks staff members are helping subcontractors with campsite assessment as tree removal. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Damage11 A trailer had part of its front collapsed in from fallen trees. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Assistant general manager Laura Kielpinski said the campground will begin removing the debris starting Wednesday. Then, staff can start getting a closer look at the extent of the damage. 'Some with trees that have gone through the roof, some have dents,' Kielpinski said. 'Our water system roof actually got kind of tilted off its foundation. So that will have to be fully replaced. But it looks like not too much damage inside.' About a dozen Ontario Parks staff members are helping subcontractors with campsite assessment as tree removal. Safety first 'The first priority is the safety of everybody and the safety of the site,' Kielpinski said. 'You just can't go anywhere. Any access point to water or trails is all tree-covered.' Ontario Parks is in contact with campers, updating them about when it will be safe for them to return to pick up their vehicles and other belongings. 'Jingwakoki Campground is still to be determined,' Verina said. 'But we're hopeful in the coming weeks to be able to gain access to Jingwakoki.' In total, around 300 campers were evacuated from the park and the nearby Kiosk Campground with the help of emergency responders and volunteers across the weekend of June 21-22. No one was killed, but there were several injuries, ranging from minor to serious. The nearby Town of Mattawa, east of the park, came to the rescue, setting up an evacuation centre for campers at the arena. Verina said some parts of the park could re-open by mid-August. But that's only if cleanup deadlines remain on schedule. 'In all reality, there's a lot of work that would have to happen between now and then to reopen,' he said. 'We do anticipate further impacts to people's vacations this summer. But we are working as quickly as possible.' While there's no damage price tag available at this time, Ontario Parks' best guess is that it's likely well into the millions of dollars. 'We appreciate everybody's patience,' Verina added.
CBC
27-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
'Like a clear-cut forestry operation': Cleanup begins at downburst-hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Cleanup starts after this northern Ontario provincial park was devastated by a downburst 7 hours ago Duration 2:28 Social Sharing When Cameron Hockey is asked to describe the devastation from a downburst that hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park in northeastern Ontario the night of June 21, he's almost at a loss for words. "The closest thing that I could correlate this to that some folks might have a mental image of would be like a clear-cut forestry operation," he said while standing in front of a building camouflaged by the large pine tree on top of it. Hockey is manager of the Algonquin Zone of Ontario Parks. Over the past week, he's been co-ordinating the collaborative efforts to clear fallen trees from the park's roads and assess the damage. "The number one priority right now is just to be able to provide that safe access for people to come on site and to grab their personal property," he said. Downbursts are powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm. Unlike a tornado, which produces a wind funnel from the ground up, a downburst produces strong winds that move downward from a storm. Hockey guesses the storm destroyed at least 100 trailers and vehicles when it knocked trees over like bowling pins. He said it's a miracle no one was killed. Significant damage But some campers, like Colin Murphy of Eganville, Ont., suffered serious injuries. Murphy said his femur was shattered in four places after a tree sliced through his family's trailer and fell on top of him. Hockey said another camper nearly lost her arm after it was caught under a tree for hours. Emergency workers, who trekked through the brush for hours to reach the campers, were able to free her, and surgeons later saved her arm. The damage to the park is so significant that Hockey said it's impossible to say exactly when it will be able to reopen. A drone image taken by researchers with the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) at London's Western University shows thousands of trees in the park's Jingwakoki Campground were flattened. "There's so much material down right now that we actually need to remove a lot of debris just to fully understand all of the impacts that this has had on the park," Hockey said. He said that includes critical infrastructure such as high-voltage power lines, water systems and buildings, such as public washroom facilities. Non-profit caught up in the storm Bill Steer is general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre, which is located in the park. Steer pointed to several cabins that had their roofs destroyed by fallen trees. Had the storm happened a week later, more than 100 students would have been at the centre for summer camps. "That would be a whole different story," he said. Steer said the centre will need to close for at least three months to allow for repairs. "As a non-profit, as an environmental education centre, we rely on operations, and so we don't get any subsidies," he said. "The next real challenge is going to be a financial one." Steer said it could take even longer for the park to reopen. "The park has to go through an initial assessment, and then I believe, you know, it's anticipated a major forestry operation will come through," he said.
