Inside OP ? Kawartha Highlands Signature Site

Ontario Parks Insider

The system of provincial parks in Ontario is huge. There are over 330 provincial parks spread out across the one million or so square kilometres that make up this province. Ontario Parks also provides management direction for over 300 conservation reserves (link to PPCRA legislation). Managing these properties is no small feat. With this in mind, you may wonder if we get excited when a new park is added to the system? You bet! Ontario Parks sat down with Park Superintendent Dave Coulas, to catch up on the progress of one of our newest provincial parks – Kawartha Highlands Signature Site. Located 50 kilometres north of the City of Peterborough, this park is the largest protected area south of Algonquin Park, encompassing 37, 587 hectares along the southern edge of the Canadian Shield.

OP: Can you give us an update on the park’s status?

Dave: The park management plan was released to the public in the fall of 2008. We are now focusing our work on the priorities that were identified in phase 1 (years 1 – 2) and working with the management advisory board, municipalities, aboriginal communities and other stakeholder groups on projects of mutual interest.

OP: What were the key reasons the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park was formed?

Dave: I think the key reasons for the park to be formed can be found in the Vision Statement for the park. Key phrases like: a legacy of protection and stewardship, protection of ecological integrity is of paramount importance; long term protection of natural and cultural heritage values; balanced out with traditional activities that will continue like cottaging, low-density recreational opportunities and the continued public involvement in the planning and management of the area are all at the core of why the park was formed.

OP: When would users expect to begin paying for permits and how would they go about getting them?

Dave: The park management plan identifies the implementation of permit issuing and fee collection as part of the Phase 2 (years 3-5). This would be the summer of 2011 at the earliest. Backcountry campsites will be managed through a reservation system. Once we have the system set up, we can then look at options for issuing the permits. It is our hope that we can manage this electronically to make it as easy as possible for users to book their specific site.

OP: What is the most challenging part that is facing Kawartha Highlands in the near future?

Dave: The biggest challenge we face is how to engage the diversity of users and keep them up-to-date with the development of the park. I spend a great deal of time meeting with different groups (cottage associations, municipalities, hunt camps, canoeists, etc.) and providing information as we move forward with implementing the direction in the management plan. I am fortunate that I work with a Management Advisory Board made up of volunteers that do a tremendous job in communicating accurate information out to the public.

OP: What’s the best part of your job as Superintendent of Kawartha Highlands?

Dave: I think the best part of this job is being in a position where I hear from all sides on any particular topic. People have a passion for how they use and enjoy the area but they also have very different views on what should and should not be allowed. This is because, no matter how they use the area, everyone has the common belief that the core values that make this place special need to be protected. By working together, we can achieve far more than working individually and I believe that, as neighbours, we may not always agree on every activity but it is in everyone’s interest to work together to see a level of protection on this landscape so that those core values will be there for future generations.

OP: What’s your favourite area to visit in the park?

Dave: That is hard to say, it changes so dramatically from season to season. I like the Burly ridge area in the fall when the colours are at their peak. I have winter camped in the remote north part in the middle of January with a full moon and wolves howling. Springtime sees high water levels on the Mississagua River perfect for canoeing and the summer sees the height of activities on popular cottage lakes. I really cannot say what my favourite area is but my favourite thing to do is be out in the park to meet people and understand how they use the park and what values are important to them.

For more information on the planning and development of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park or information on how to become a Management Advisory Board member, please visit: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/kawa.html

Featured Park ? Wabakimi

Ontario Parks Insider

Wabakimi is being called "the new Quetico" by many of its visitors. If you think about it, the label fits. The parks are comparable when it comes to the endless possibilities for canoeists looking for a route to paddle. They're also managed in a similar fashion; portages and campsites are not marked and no roads penetrate the interior. The only difference is that Wabakimi is a relatively new park. Quetico has been a prime paddling park for 100 years now, where Wabakimi is only a few decades old. Originally established in 1983, but expanded by six-fold in 1997, Wabakimi is larger then the entire province of Prince Edward Island. That’s almost twice the size of Quetico, which rates it as the second largest park in the Ontario Parks’ system (beaten only by Polar Bear Provincial Park.

The bonus of being a relatively new park is that crowds are at a minimum. On average, only a relatively small number of paddlers use the park in any given season and it’s common place to find yourself alone out there. The immense size of Wabakimi also helps increase your seclusion. On top of all that, Wabakimi is also nestled beside the Albany River waterway park to the north and the Kopka River and Brightsand River waterway parks to the south. It also neighbours the north shore of Lake Nipigon, a paradise for canoeists and kayakers searching out solitude.

That all adds up to 200 kilometres of canoe routes in Wabakimi alone and another 500 kilometres adjoining the park…which also adds up to a life-time of unbeatable paddling in an accessible but remote wilderness getaway.

Getting There
Getting to Wabakimi is definitely part of the adventure. You can drive, but the closest you are going to get is the town of Armstrong, which is about 2.5 hours north of Thunder Bay. From here you have three options:

  1. Paddle in – It is possible to canoe into the park. The main canoe access is via Caribou Lake.
  2. Fly-in – The quickest way is to hire a float plane to transport you to your desired start location.
  3. Train-in – Load your canoes and gear at the station in Armstrong and the train will drop you off anywhere along the line. Better yet, skip the drive and hop on the train sooner. The rail line runs all the way from Toronto.

How to ? Environmental footprint

Ontario Parks Insider

A new trend has emerged in travel – zero carbon footprint travel. This is where you try to minimize carbon emissions resulting from your travels or offset them through purchasing green credits - supporting renewable energy, reforestation or other green projects.

Choosing to vacation at Ontario Parks is a great low carbon alternative to a flight oversees or a stay at an electricity consuming hotel. This is especially true if you spend your time in the backcountry. Talk about low carbon emissions. Your days are spent traveling under your own power – canoeing or hiking and meals can be cooked with high efficient camp stoves. For the most part your emissions levels might only be measurable if you decide to serve up some lentil chili for dinner.

There is, however, one factor that stands in the way of claiming an Ontario Park vacation as the most eco-friendly vacation choice – you have to get there.

So the question begs to be asked: beyond portaging your canoe out of the city yourself, is it possible to truly have a zero carbon footprint vacation? Not likely. But there are several ways you can reduce your carbon footprint on your next camping trip.

Ride the rails - Did you know that you can load your canoe and gear onto the train in downtown Toronto and in a matter of hours, be dropped off in a wilderness paradise? If you ride the VIA line you can request to stop at any mile marker between Sudbury and Winnipeg. This includes such wilderness meccas as Missinaibi and Wabakimi. Also consider taking the Ontario Northland to explore the Temagami region. If you’re in Sault Ste. Marie you can ride the Algoma Central Railway and float down the scenic Sand River in Lake Superior Park.

Save on gas – If you must drive, consider leaving the canoe at home and renting one from an outfitter closer to the park. This will help to improve your fuel efficiency. And for goodness sake, please carpool.

Think global act local – Choose locally grown foods when shopping for your trip, or better yet stop at a local farmers’ market on your way. Start your day with shade grown, organic, fair trade coffee as a morning wake up. This coffee helps provide a living wage for coffee farmers, protects rainforest habitat, and helps minimize chemical pesticides and fertilizers in our environment. Also consider organic, fair trade chocolate bars for your S'mores!

The unfortunate reality is that our movements impact our environment, but think how much energy we would save if everyone spent at least one week in the wilderness? Move over Earth Hour, here comes Wilderness Week!

Check out this carbon footprint calculator to see how much carbon your next trip will emit: http://travelonly.zerofootprint.net/

Water Safety Starts with You - Watch Children Around Water at all Times

Ontario Parks Insider

It takes only minutes for a child to disappear from sight and one inch of water for a child to drown. The Canadian Red Cross encourages Canadians to stay safe when enjoying water activities, and reminds parents and caregivers about the importance of supervising children closely around water.

“Whether it’s a pool, the bathtub, or the beach, always watch children around water,” stresses Shelley Dalke, national coordinator of swimming and water safety for the Canadian Red Cross. “Learning to swim is important, but learning water safety is key to knowing what to do to prevent an emergency in or on the water. It’s not just swimming but swimming and safety together that saves lives. Parents and caregivers must remain vigilant at all times when children have access to bodies of water.”

A Red Cross research report that examined 10 years of drowning statistics showed that young children ages 1 to 4 and men ages 15 to 44 are at the greatest risk of drowning. Backyard pools are especially dangerous for small children, who are also the most vulnerable group for near drownings. Near drownings can be equally devastating as they often result in varying degrees of brain damage.
5 Easy Steps:

  1. Watch Children Around Water at all Times. Stay within sight and reach.
  2. The best lifejacket or PFD is the one you wear. Zip Up and Buckle Up
  3. Before entering the water- stop, look, go slow! Check for depth and watch for hazards
  4. Alcohol and boating don’t mix, boating while impaired is illegal
  5. Secure your pool - no matter what size. Fence It, Cover It, Empty It

Get Trained; Learn to swim and take a first aid and CPR course.
Know how to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

For more information and activities on water safety education, visit our Water Safety Public Education page