The Ontario government is offering free day-use access to provincial parks on Friday, July 19, as part of the annual Healthy Parks Healthy People Day. This initiative aims to encourage residents to explore the outdoors and experience the health benefits of nature.
Visitors are encouraged to secure a daily vehicle permit up to five days in advance to guarantee access on Healthy Parks Healthy People Day for the 75 parks that offer this service.
Ontario Parks, the province’s largest provider of outdoor recreational activities, offers year-round programs and facilities for hiking, cycling, paddling, and swimming.
The government is also expanding its recreational offerings by creating 300 new campsites and adding electrical services to 800 existing ones, marking the largest enhancement in Ontario Parks’ history.
Revenue from Ontario Parks is reinvested to enhance visitor experiences and protect over 630 provincial parks and conservation reserves. Since 2018, $55.4 million has been invested to maintain and build facilities, including roofed accommodations, to meet the demands of a growing population.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
