Ontario Parks Reopening, Hopefully Rock Climbing Soon

The Ontario government is opening provincial parks and conservation reserves for limited day-use access. The first areas will open on May 11 with the remaining areas opening on May 15. At this time, recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking and birdwatching. Rock climbing, according to Ontario Alliance of Climbers, is still not permitted.

Day visitors will also be able to access all parks and conservation reserves for free until the end of the month. The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford, Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

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With cautious optimism, Ontario is set to open provincial parks and conservation reserves starting this week. This is exciting news, as the ability to enjoy the outdoors is vital to both physical and mental health! It is important to remember that recreational activities will be limited to walking, hiking, biking and birdwatching. Climbing is currently not a permitted activity. Park usage will be monitored to ensure proper physical distancing protocols are being followed, and we need to respect the situation to prevent these spaces from closing to visitors again. We're hopeful that we can keep seeing progress in our fight against COVID-19, and that we'll all be able to get on real rock sometime soon! Until then we must continue doing whatever we can to stop the spread, and plan for how we can recreate safely once climbing is permitted. For more information and to determine if parks near you are open, see http://www.ontarioparks.com/covid19 #ontario #climbing #access ? @willtam85

A post shared by Ontario Alliance of Climbers (@ontarioallianceofclimbers) on May 9, 2020 at 3:48pm PDT

“As we continue to make progress in our fight to stop the spread of covid-19, we are carefully and cautiously reopening the province, starting with certain businesses and retailers, and now our provincial parks and conservation reserves,” said Premier Ford. “I encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors, but please do so in a responsible way. Practise physical distancing and follow the rules set out by health care officials to stop the spread of this virus.”

On Monday, 520 provincial parks and conservation reserves across the province will open, and the remaining 115 will open on the following Friday for limited day-use activities. At this time, camping and other activities are not permitted at any provincial park or conservation reserve. All buildings and facilities including washrooms, water taps, campgrounds, backcountry campsites, roofed accommodations, playgrounds, and beaches continue to be closed.

“People are eager to enjoy the warmer weather, stretch their legs and reconnect with nature,” said Minister Yurek. “In consultation with our health experts, we’re working to slowly phase-in the opening of Ontario Parks in a measured way to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff. People should take note that not all amenities will be open and plan accordingly.”

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

Before planning your trip, please visit here to check the status of your local provincial park. Hopefully rock climbing will be given the green light in the next few weeks. Watch the below video of 5.14+ climber Joe Skopec taking a whipper on some Ontario limestone.

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You miss whippers!? From @josephskopec "I don’t miss falling from that crux, but I do miss RW. Old video of me taking the whip on the crux of Home Away From Home. The good old days :)" #rockclimbing #whipper

A post shared by Gripped Magazine (@grippedmagazine) on Apr 27, 2020 at 9:23am PDT