By Gina Pannunzio

Here’s an update on visiting green spaces if you’re curious. Before you visit any of these places, check what facilities/activities are available and pack what you need (e.g. water, snacks hand sanitizer). When you visit practice social distancing, avoid gathering in large groups and help keep these places pristine by using garbage bins or taking trash home.

Program Update from Essex Region Conservation

  • Holiday Beach and Hillman Marsh Conservation Area are open for walk though access. ERCA is waiving entry fees for the month of June. Proper physical distancing protocols of remaining at least 2 metres from any other visitor who is not part of your household.
  • Washroom facilities will remain closed at all Conservation Areas.
  • The John R. Park Homestead museum, visitor centre and gift shop will remain closed. The grounds are open for walk-through access.
  • Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area remains closed as we await contractor services to conduct the parking lot repairs, which are tentatively scheduled for June 11, 2020.
  • Outdoor conservation areas and greenway trails will continue to be open from dawn to dusk for passive use. Visitors must adhere to physical distancing protocols as explained above. Conservation area usage is monitored to ensure these guidelines are being followed so that we can safely continue to offer these important natural areas for physical and mental health.
  • ERCA will be extending the expiry date for Seasonal Passes for existing passholders. More information to follow.

More details and info: https://essexregionconservation.ca/resources/news/erca-programs-and-facilities-update-4/

Rondeau Provincial Park, Ojibway Nature Centre, Detroit Riverfront is open for day/walk through access only.

Point Pelee National Park

Starting June 13, 2020, Point Pelee National Park will open on weekends only, offering limited visitor access and basic services on Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to sunset. Only places and activities where health and safety risks can be managed will be available for visitation. We are asking visitors to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe travel restrictions, respect closures, follow the guidance of public health experts, and to make every effort to keep one another safe.

More info: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/pelee/visit/covid-19-info

Early Bird pass sale has returned! 

Now until June 19, 2020. You can get your annual Point Pelee pass at a discounted rate in one of two ways:
1 – by calling 519-322-2365 ext 0, between the hours of 9am and 4pm, 7 days a week. If you don’t reach us, please leave a message and we will get back to you OR
2 – By stopping by the front park entrance June 13 and 14 between 10am and 9pm.

For current pass holders, to compensate for the time the park suspended services and was closed due to Parks Canada’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, your pass will be extended for 4 months beyond the expiry date.
What do you need to do? During your next visit to the park, stop at the front kiosk to have your expiry date sticker updated. If you have a family/group annual pass, your pass will have been automatically updated, and will continue to give you access to the park through the automated gate for 4 months past the date of your current expiry date.

**Starting June 13, 2020, Point Pelee National Park will open on weekends, offering limited visitor access and basic services on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to sunset. Visitors will be able to access the following services and facilities:

·         Day-use trails, including cycling access on designated trails and pathways;
·         Day-use areas, including green spaces, picnic areas, and beaches;
·         Some public washrooms located at Sanctuary, Northwest Beach and the Blue Heron picnic area;
·         Parking areas at Orientation, Sanctuary, Northwest Beach, and Marsh Boardwalk day-use areas.

Visitors should be advised that construction and paving of the main road in the north end of the park is underway until June 12, 2020, inclusively. During this phase of the road renewal project, as a way to prevent public safety concerns, Point Pelee National Park will remain closed to all visitor access. Starting June 13, 2020, the road will be open to vehicles from the park entrance to the Marsh Boardwalk on weekends only, with parking available in designated areas north of the boardwalk. Access to the multi-use trails throughout the park will be open to pedestrians and cyclists starting June 13, 2020, on weekends only. Further communication will be issued at a later date on when the park will resume daily access.

Visiting Point Pelee National Park will be different than it has been in the past. Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the Point Pelee National Park website at www.pc.gc.ca/pelee before they travel to find out:

  • What is open and what is closed
  • Safety information

Detailed information on Parks Canada places and the measures the Agency is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the Parks Canada website: pc.gc.ca. Please check regularly for updates.