WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) parks will remain closed indefinitely.
GRCA officials announced conservation areas and properties will be closed “until further notice” in an April 16 press release.
“With the May 1 originally planned opening date of many Grand River Parks approaching, we recognize that day-use visitors and campers are eager for information about the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 season,” stated GRCA spokesperson Lisa Stocco.
“We have been reviewing our operations, and we can confirm there will be a substantial delay in opening our conservation areas. Unfortunately, we cannot predict an opening date at this time.”
Officials originally announced on March 22 that GRCA properties would close until at least April 6.
On April 16 officials explained it takes at least four weeks to prepare conservation areas to open, in particular, for camping.
“This work has yet to occur due to the pandemic and the fact that GRCA operations have been reduced to comply with government directives regarding essential services and social distancing,” states the press release.
The GRCA has suspended taking new overnight reservations for camping and those who already made reservations will be given a refund.
The authority has also developed an approach to extend current membership passes for the full duration of the closure.
Officials are reminding members of the public they are not permitted on any GRCA owned and managed properties – and those who choose to ignore the closures could be charged with trespassing.
For more information visit the GRCA website.
