Home News Local News All Lake Simcoe Conservation areas closed to public

All Lake Simcoe Conservation areas closed to public

March 25, 2020

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By: Mike Anderson

All conservation areas managed by Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority are now closed to the public, according to a media release issued by LSRCA on March 24

“We have not made this decision lightly, but we are doing what is in the best interest of our watershed community,” says Brian Kemp, General Manager of Conservation Lands in the release.

“With the trails not being monitored for hazards like falling or fallen trees, we cannot ensure visitor safety. We have no choice. It’s a matter of public safety.”

“We ask that the public respect these closures and stay out of all conservation areas,” including Willow Beach, Franklin Beach, Holmes Point, Pefferlaw Dam, Baldwin Dam, and Zephyr Creek Wetland in Georgina.

Parking lots will be closed to the public and barricades will be placed on the roadways to block off any traffic, according to the LSRCA.

Here is the information released by LSRCA on its website and social media channels:

Effectively immediately, all of our Conservation Areas are closed until further notice.

This includes the following Conservation Areas:

Scanlon Creek, Bradford
Sheppard’s Bush, Aurora
Thornton Bales, King
Rogers Reservoir, East Gwillimbury
Whitchurch, Stouffville
Durham Regional Forest, south and west of Uxbridge
Beaver River Wetlands, between Uxbridge and Cannington

Stay safe by observing our closures.

Due to the non-essential nature of our conservation areas, we are no longer able to maintain trails, hazard trees and undertake other non-essential services during COVID-19.

This difficult decision was made in support of legislation put in place by the province to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our watershed residents as safe as possible throughout this trying time.

We hope that taking these steps now means we can get back to enjoying these trails and green areas again soon. We’ll post any changes to this closure on this webpage, as well as on our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding as we all do our part to flatten the curve of this virus.

Because we know that the outdoors, fresh air, sunshine and all the sounds, smells and sights of nature are so therapeutic and mood boosting, we do encourage you to find ways to still get outside and enjoy nature as you can.