The provincial government announced this morning (Saturday) Ontario Parks and conservation reserves will remain closed until the end of May to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The announcement was made by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
In a statement the ministers advised, “In order to keep Ontarians safe during this COVID-19 outbreak, our government is extending the closure of Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves to May 31, 2020. This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings.”
The closure extension applies to all recreational activities in provincial parks and conservation reserves.
With regard to reservations the statement noted, “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. We are also providing penalty-free refunds to reservation holders who wish to change or cancel their 2020 camping reservation, regardless of arrival date.”
MPP Yurek’s office has clarified the order applies to conservation reserves and does not include conservation authorities like Kettle Creek and Catfish Creek in this area.
In the Aylmer District there are two reserves, Bickford Oak Woods and St. Williams.
