Re: Ontario Parks nixes winter operation of Bon Echo Park

Beth Freeland | Apr 21, 2016

Re: Ontario Parks nixes winter operation of Bon Echo Park, Addington Highlands Council, April 7/16

The “at this time” from the Director of Ontario Parks and the Acting Park Superintendent was really meant as exactly that and a little more clarification might generate the excitement felt here at Bon Echo Provincial Park.

In January, at the Friends of Bon Echo Park annual planning meeting, Acting Park Superintendent Clark Richards reported that maximum visitation is being reached during July and August, but there is still a large amount of visitation capacity to be gained in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Statistics show that empty nesters and early retirees generally plan their holidays in September, after families have returned to their school year routines. With this in mind, the Friends and Park Staff began discussions on how to maximize use in “the shoulder season”, which is May - June and September - October.

Imagine the economic impact for the area if the busy tourist season is extended into the shoulder season months! The Friends put in place a multi-step plan to assist with the achievement of that goal.

Local businesses have been contacted in an effort to start a more solidified mechanism to share information. Social media outlets are being kept current in order to encourage day use. Your readers will have noticed the advertisements to hire additional fleet staff for the boat tours of the Wanderer and Mugwump ferries on Mazinaw Lake. With more fleet staff available additional boat tours can be offered during the spring and fall. A campaign to increase our volunteer base focusing on “Come volunteer for an hour, a day or a season” has begun. New volunteer roles have been defined to enhance hours of operation to the Friends operated Greystones Gift Store and Park Visitor Centre. Presentations to groups about our role, to encourage attendance at special events, and to promote group activities will continue to be offered to all who are interested – just ask!

The Park’s efforts to expand the shoulder season visitation through constructing additional roofed accommodations and electrical campsites as well as increased marketing continue to be well received.

Your coverage of the Park, the Friends and local information is vital to this increase and we thank you for your continued cooperation.

Beth Freeland, Administrator
Friends of Bon Echo Park