On Friday, July 17th, you can spend a day at one of Ontario’s 330 provincial parks — for free. The Ontario provincial government is encouraging everyone to visit a park to improve their health as part of the international “Healthy Parks Healthy People” movement.
“I’m pleased that Ontario provincial parks will be open to all Ontarians without any cost on July 17th,” says Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
“This provides a great opportunity for Ontarians, young and old, to get outdoors and get active. I encourage you to get active in one of Ontario’s beautiful provincial parks throughout the year.”
On July 17th, if you visit a provincial park that normally charges a fee for day use, the fee will be waived. Charges in addition to regular day use fees still apply for facilities such as swimming pools and equipment rentals.
Provincial parks in the Kawarthas
Parks in the Kawarthas region include Balsam Lake near Kirkfield, Emily near Omemee, Ferris near Campbellford, Kawartha Highlands north of Buckhorn, Lake St. Peter north of Maynooth, Mark S. Burnham in Peterborough, Petroglyphs near Woodview, Presqu’ile near Brighton, and Silent Lake near Apsley.
If you’re willing to travel a little north of the Kawarthas, there’s also Algonquin Provincial Park — the most popular provincial park in Canada with more than 2,400 lakes and 1,200 kilometres of streams and rivers.
In addition to the free day use at all provincial parks, some parks are featuring special events on July 17th, including a few in the Kawarthas region.
Balsam Lake Provincial Park
Balsam Lake Provincial Park near Kirkfield is offering two free sessions of the MNRF’s “Learn to Fish” program, one from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the other from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Boat Launch parking lot. The sessions are open to kids of all ages and their parents and all supplies will be provided. Space is limited, so email aileen.clarke@ontario.ca to sign up in advance.
Emily Provincial Park
At Emily Provincial Park near Omemee, you can join park staff for a guided hike around the park and learn about the different creatures you find. The hike begins at the Park Store and ends at the Amphitheatre. Emily is also offering a learn to fish session, where you can try your hand at fishing on the Pigeon River. All supplies will be provided. For more details, call the park at 705-799-5170.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Just outside the Kawarthas near Brighton, Presqu’ile Provincial Park is offering a nordic pole walking session. Nordic pole walking was been shown to be 40% more effective at exercising muscles and burning calories than normal walking. Meet instructor Jaye Yarrien at the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, she’ll provide the poles, and Presqu’ile will provide the scenery for a fun and healthy walk. Call the park at 613-475-4324 for more information.
The special activities and fee-free day use of provincial parks on July 17th recognize that the Province of Ontario has joined the world-wide Healthy Parks Healthy People movement. Launched in Australia in 2000, the movement reinforces and encourages the connections between a healthy environment and a healthy society.
For example, research shows that access to nature and green space plays a vital role in physical and mental health, well-being, and development. Contact with nature has been found to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, help fight disease, and reduce stress.
In addition, activities done in a natural environment reduce anger, fatigue, and sadness when compared to the same activities done in a human-made environment.
“There’s no better way to spend a summer day than at one of Ontario’s provincial parks,” says Dipika Damerla, Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “Come discover Ontario’s beauty and get fit at the same time.”
For more information about Ontario’s provincial parks, visit www.ontarioparks.com.
