People suck. Parks shut down because people can't follow basic rules.
The Grand River Conservation Authority says visitors have caused some significant challenges over the past few weeks, so they’ve made the decision to close several popular parks.
kitchener.ctvnews.ca
I agree..........BUT.
They noted that people were entering the parks w/o paying fees; and entering closed parks.
I'm not sure how closing a closed park will fix things; nor how how 'closing' a park at this stage when people are entering at non-official entrances will do much.
The reality is that some of the litter problems were because garbage cans weren't out or being serviced in some areas.
Also, a lot of folks don't have a/c, have little to do, and for some, not much money either.
The Conservation Areas, by and large are not fenced off.
I'm not for one minute defending people people being irresponsible louts.
I am saying, in the circumstances, understanding where people are at; and what they are going to do, with or without your permission is an important part of good management.
The fact they were also understaffed, limited their ability to effectively enforce anything or keep up.
Though, truthfully, I'm not sure how much that would have helped.
Again, we're also hamstrung by how little conservation/outdoor space we have.
While the GTA population has more than doubled, (protected) natural space has only increased in the range of 5%.
Some areas were seriously crowded to the point of damaging nature last year, with no Covid issue, no related unemployment issue or boredom issue.
I've hiked all of the Bruce Trail from Niagara to Dufferin County, and the part in the National Park up by Tobermory.
I can tell you the waterfalls around Hamilton used to be quiet places where you could sit and enjoy the sound of falling water, now they're overrun on weekends.
The Grotto up at Bruce Peninsula National Park is so crowded they now have you take reservations to hike in..............
That's bloody nuts!
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