GRCA Closes Several Conservation Areas This Weekend

Wednesday, 10 June 2020 17:23

The GRCA is temporarily closing the Elora Gorge, Belwood Lake, Guelph Lake and Rockwood Conservation Areas until Monday. The move stems after people were not following COVID-19 guidelines, littering and not paying entrance fees.

ELORA - The Grand River Conservation Authority has closed Belwood Lake, Elora Gorge, Guelph Lake and Rockwood conservation areas until Monday June 15th.

The Elora Quarry Conservation Area remains closed until further notice. The areas are being closed because people are simply not following the rules. The GRCA says some visitors are disregarding provincial guidelines established to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Beyond people not respecting area closures, congregating in large groups and not practicing appropriate physical distancing measures, a considerable amount of garbage and other waste is being left throughout the parks and natural areas.

It has also been noted that some people are accessing the conservation areas without paying the standard entrance fees. While it is often thought that the GRCA’s Grand River Parks are funded through tax dollars, this is not the case. These areas are able to operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and kayak rentals.

Manager of Conservation Areas Pam Walther-Mabee says they are feeling the strain right now.

“Given the limited staff that the GRCA currently has in place, and the work we need to complete in order to prepare our conservation areas for additional activities, we are temporarily closing the parks where we’ve had the most significant challenges. We are taking this action so that our staff can focus on completing this work, rather than managing capacity and enforcement issues.”

Brant, Byng Island, Conestogo Lake, Laurel Creek, Pinehurst Lake and Shade’s Mills conservation areas, as well as Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, are not impacted by this temporary closure.

The Elora Quarry Conservation Area remains closed until further notice.