Ministry of Natural Resources says it’s receptive to ideas to keep Springwater Provincial Park open

By Ian McInroy, Barrie Examiner  February 14, 2013 

SPRINGWATER TWP. – Simcoe County councillors will mull over options for Springwater Provincial Park during a regular meeting at the end of the month.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has stated it is receptive to ideas to keep the park viable.

The ministry will be re-designating the park as a non-operating park on April 1. It will remain a protected area, but there will be no vehicle access. People can continue to walk in and enjoy the park for day-use, free of charge.

A handful of park supporters gathered at the performance management meeting on Thursday, where county councillors agreed to discuss the issue Feb. 28 and then consider the county’s next move in regards to the 193-hectare park located north of Barrie.

Supporters wishing to see the park remain fully operational have been asking the county to step in, but Warden Cal Patterson has stated it isn’t that simple.

“It is not the county’s jurisdiction. Residents and groups hoping to save the park should direct those concerns to the province, which owns the park,” he said recently. The county attempted to buy or lease the land, but was rejected by the province, he added.

“This is not an option the government is considering,” said MNR spokeswoman Jolanta Kowalski.

“Even though the park won’t offer full visitor services, Springwater Provincial Park is a natural area that will continue to contribute to Ontario’s system of parks and protected areas.

“Keeping the park regulated under the Provincial Park and Conservation Reserves Act will ensure this land is protected for future generations,” she added.

Kowalski said the ministry is open to entering into discussions regarding an agreement with any willing and qualified organization that might be interested in operating the park.

“However, this park has a low cost recovery and requires significant capital upgrades in the near future to keep it open. Ontario Parks is not in a position to provide financial support to potential partners to run this park in the future,” she said.

Changing the park’s status to non-operating means that maintenance and facilities such as park maintenance, road access, comfort stations and trail maintenance will no longer be offered, she added.

Kowalski said ministry staff are currently working on decommissioning plans.

“In the immediate future at Springwater Provincial Park, the gates will be closed and appropriate signs installed. Buildings will be protected and assets removed. No buildings will be demolished in the short term,” she said, adding the Vespra Boys cenotaph will not be changed.

“The cenotaph will continue to be cared for by Ontario Parks as it has in the past. (The) MNR will continue to allow access to the monument for ceremonies, special events, and maintenance,” she said. “We will continue to work with the local Royal Canadian Legion and the federal government to ensure the cenotaph is cared for.”

An on-site wildlife compound, first erected in the 1930s, currently has 28 animals which are native to Ontario.

“Ontario Parks is in the process of considering options to relocate these animals to other suitable facilities that are in good standing order and have authorization from MNR to keep wildlife in captivity,” Kowalski said. “In the short term, while arrangements are being made to secure alternate facilities, the animals will continue to be housed and cared for at Springwater.”

If people want to make their opinions known about the park or have suggestions about partnerships, they can e-mail ken.lacroix@ontario.ca.