The Grand River Conservation Authority has started to open gatehouses, beaches, and some washrooms in most of its conservation areas including Conestogo Lake in Mapleton Township.
Seasonal boat launch passes will be available for purchase at the Belwood Lake and Conestogo Lake gatehouses during operating hours.
“As the GRCA reopens more amenities and activities for visitors in our Grand River Parks, the health and safety of staff and the community remain our highest priority,” said GRCA Chair Helen Jowett. “We are pleased to reopen more amenities, and while this is good news, it’s also important to remember it will not be business as usual in our parks this year. As always, we encourage people to be responsible so that we can continue to offer an enjoyable experience for all visitors.”
In light of the province’s recent announcements, the GRCA will make a decision on its ability to offer other recreational activities, such as overnight camping, in the near future. A decision on overnight camping is anticipated by the end of June and will be communicated via the GRCA’s website, social media channels, and through the news media.
The following is a list of parks and recreational activities that have currently reopened:
· most Grand River Parks are now open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; gatehouses are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· beaches and washrooms in day-use areas only
· Grand River Parks memberships are available for purchase at gatehouses during gatehouse operating hours, as well as online
· seasonal boat launch passes will be available for purchase at the Belwood Lake and Conestogo Lake gatehouses during operating hours
Visitors should check www.grandriver.ca/COVID19-FAQ for information about which facilities and services are available before visiting Grand River Parks. If visitors have further questions, they are asked to contact the parks directly.
The following GRCA conservation areas, facilities, and programs remain closed until further notice:
· the Elora Quarry Conservation Area
· boat, canoe, and kayak rentals
· pavilions, picnic shelters, and other group facilities
· playground equipment
· overnight camping, including group camping
· tubing and the splash pad at Elora Gorge Conservation Area
· showers and change rooms
· washrooms not in day-use areas
· the Learn to Fish program
· the fishing equipment rental program and the life jacket loaner program
The following facilities and programs will remain closed for the remainder of the 2020 season:
· swimming pools at Brant and Byng Island conservation areas
· food concession stands
To help protect both staff and visitors, the GRCA will be implementing a number of measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing in its parks and facilities. This may include limiting the number of daily visitors and increased patrols. Visitors should be aware that parking is limited, and while garbage receptacles are now available and will be emptied as frequently as possible, people are reminded to visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, to take their waste with them and dispose of it at home.
Furthermore, Belwood Lake, Conestogo Lake, Elora Gorge, Guelph Lake, and Rockwood conservation areas are subject to orders in place by the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit. All visitors who enter a commercial establishment, including Grand River Park gatehouses and public washrooms in these parks, must wear a face covering.