By Staff
May 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday, May 9th, the Province announced it would be reopening provincial parks and conservation reserves starting today, with more to follow by Friday, May 15 for limited-day use. Recreational activities are limited to walking, hiking, biking and bird-watching. Parks are free until the end of the month.
One of the really nice trails in a Conservation Halton Park – not yet open to the public.
Note that this does not include the Conservation Authority parks: – Mt. Nemo, Crawford Lake, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso, Mountsberg and Robert Edmonsdson.
This view from the top of Mt Nemo – not something you can experience this week.
These parks are separate from Conservation Reserves and Provincial Parks, and are independently owned and operated without tax revenues. Conservation Halton (CH) parks remain closed for now. CH is looking into a number of options that will allow monitoring visitor volume and opening parks in a safe and responsible way through pre-registered bookings in the coming days. CH will be gradually opening parks in a phased approach over the next several weeks.
Camping and other activities are not permitted at any provincial park or conservation reserve. All buildings and facilities, including washrooms, water taps, campgrounds, back-country campsites, roofed accommodations, playgrounds and beaches continue to be closed.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said “the province’s announcement mirrors our situation in Burlington — unlike other cities, we never closed our parks. They have remained open throughout the pandemic for walking through. We continue to ask people to ‘walk, don’t stop’.”
Consistent with provincial emergency orders and Saturday’s provincial announcement, city park amenities, including playgrounds, remain closed.
Walk through but no playing or congregating in the park
Mayor Meed Ward said: “We closed parking lots adjacent to parks to avoid overcrowding and encourage people to stay in their neighbourhoods. As we review what our neighbouring municipalities are doing, we will also review this as we prepare our phased reopening of amenities and park use, consistent with public health advice and provincial announcements. We will be coordinating efforts with local park organizations to be consistent as possible in the use of parks and trails.”
Outdoor recreational amenities that are intended to be used by more than one family, such as outdoor playgrounds, sports fields, beaches, picnic sites, and park shelters, remain closed until May 19th, as an Emergency Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Under the Emergency Order, green spaces in parks, trails and ravines, that are not otherwise closed, are available for walk-through access only.
“Walk-through” access means that individuals should pass through, and should not ‘stay and play’, even if they are in a group of less than five people. This is to prevent groups from congregating in green spaces in parks, trails and ravines.
Maintain 2 metres (6 feet) distance from others. You may need to change your route or the time of day that you go out in order to keep this distance.
Step aside or pass others quickly and courteously on sidewalks.
Do not enter spaces that are barricaded or have signage indicating the area is closed.
Keep your dog on a leash.
Remember to wash your hands when you return home.
Open park parking.
Restrict the number of spots if needed.
People need natural, green spaces for rejuvenation and peace of mind.
We picked that up on CHCH this morning too Phillip. Before it was closed Anne would sit on her walker on the bridge a favorite spot to simply soak the sounds of nature. Now she goes to a cemetary where a family member is buried, enjoys the different flowers coming up and the incessant singing of the birds. Spencer Smith does not cut it right now for a date with nature and with the new norm maybe never will again…
Spencer Smith has no character. I drive by but never stop. To me, the City has turned it into a grass covered events venue–that’s all.
MMW claims that Burlington never closed parks but on this site, it was reported that she closed Lowville Park. Perhaps she was referring just to central Burlington.