Bigwind Lake Provincial Park To Become First New Operating Park In Ontario In 40 Years
Gullfeather Lake
The Government of Ontario announced today the first new provincial park in Ontario in over 40 years! Bigwind Lake Provincial Park will be located East of Bracebridge, will be operational all four-seasons, and will offer overnight frontcountry and backcountry campgrounds. It is expected that the park will offer around 250 campsites and 25 cabins.
Minister Piccini canoeing at Bigwind Lake Provincial Park with his father and his dog.
“Having grown up camping in Ontario Parks with my dad, I know just how special it is to have access to the great outdoors. This will be the first new operating provincial park in almost two generations, and with the demand on our parks system on the rise, our government understands the importance of investing in Ontario Parks, which is the largest provider of outdoor recreational experiences in the province.”
The proposed new operating provincial park will be fully serviced and designed with the visitor experience in mind. Modern buildings and amenities such as a visitor centre, electric vehicle charging stations and electrified campsites will deliver the features that today’s campers and park-users expect. The park design will also consider environmentally sustainable elements, such as low-energy buildings, easy-to-access biking and walking routes, and wildlife-friendly planning and design, so the park remains a vital part of the natural landscape for generations to come.
Have your say as to how to shape the new park by taking part in a survey but you only have until August 6th, 2023.
Bigwind Lake Provincial Park is almost 5,000 acres (1,967 hectares) (more than one and a half times bigger than Arrowhead Provincial Park in neighbouring Huntsville) and will become Ontario’s 116th operating provincial park. Currently it is designated as a non-operating park but once open will offer cross-country skiing, canoeing and hiking opportunities.
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