![Minister Jeffrey with Wasaga Beach Park Superintendent John Fisher and Assistant Superintendent](http://cornwallfreenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Minister-Jeffrey-with-Wasaga-Beach-Park-Superintendent-John-Fisher-and-Assistant-Superintendent-800x600.jpg)
Wasaga Beach ON – Ontario is adding a new provincial park this year and expanding two others, giving families and visitors more opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the province’s natural beauty.
The expansions to Ontario Parks include:
§ A new provincial park called DuPont on the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg. The park includes a mature hardwood forest, a coastal wetland and one of the largest heron nesting areas in eastern Ontario.
§ An addition to Charleston Lake Provincial Park near Landsdowne that will include more than 22,000 feet of waterfront, wetlands, deciduous forests and protection for species at risk
§ An expansion to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park on Georgian Bay that includes dunes, oak-savannah habitat, river shoreline and protection for species at risk.
Ontario’s provincial parks offer a range of affordable activities for families and visitors, including hiking, swimming, canoeing and camping.
Strengthening tourism is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to grow the number of visitors, strengthen economic growth and support jobs in Ontario.
“Ontario has a vast system of beautiful parks that are cherished by all Ontarians. I’d like to acknowledge the generosity of our partners in making the addition of these lands possible so generations to come can continue to enjoy their beauty.”
– Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources
“Ontario’s vast and diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for recreation and adventure –from majestic falls and freshwater beaches, to dramatic cliffs and hidden grottos. Discover the wonders that naturally await you at Ontario parks!”
– Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture
QUICK FACTS
§ The Charleston Lake expansion and the new DuPont Provincial Park were made possible by a partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. TheCharleston Lake acquisition was a supported by private donations and the federal government.
§ The Wasaga Beach addition was purchased from a private land owner.
§ There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, with more than 100 offering visitor facilities.
§ Last year, close to 10 million visits were made by people from around the world to Ontario’s provincial parks, receiving almost 100,000 more visits than in 2009.
LEARN MORE
§ Visit www.OntarioParks.com for camping, fees and events in Ontario Parks.
§ See the 2011 Ontario Parks Guide or get a printed copy by calling 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746).
§ Book a campsite online 24 hours a day, or by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily.
§ Find different ways to enjoy Ontario parks.
It really is great to see more park space in Ontario. There is a lack of cost numbers here, however there seems to be no shortage of announcements as of late from the Ontario government with numbers, I hope we can pay for all this.
A big number listed on the ontario.ca site is 8.4 billion for 13 KM of Go Train rail in Toronto. Sure Toronto needs transportation routes, but does all of Ontario have to pay for it a time when we are a have not province?