Category: Park Stories
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Voices of the river: exploring the French River Visitor Centre
Today’s post comes from Dave Sproule, a Natural Heritage Education Specialist in our Northeast Zone. Can you hear the water speak? The waters of the French River have many voices. These voices travelled the river and lived along its shores. The French River has been a conduit for people, goods, and culture for thousands of years.…
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What it's like to be a washroom cleaner at Ontario Parks
In today’s post, our Algonquin Zone Marketing Specialist Andrea Coulter shares how a summer of cleaning washrooms turned her into a public washroom etiquette crusader. After more than 15 years with Ontario Parks, I still remember my first position most vividly (you never forget cleaning poop off the beach…). I was eighteen years old, and…
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Planes, paddles and portages: a journey of garbage
This is a story about garbage. It wasn’t a quick journey. It took a plane ride, some paddling in a canoe, portaging, more paddling, another plane ride, and a drive on the highway. This garbage was left in Algonquin Provincial Park’s remote backcountry, something that, unfortunately, happens far too often.
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The wreck of the Lambton
Today’s post comes from Kenton Otterbein, Discovery Program leader at Killbear Provincial Park. In a time before instant communication, accurate weather forecasts, or GPS, the navigation lights and lighthouses on the Great Lakes helped guide ships to safe harbour through dangerous shoals and stormy seas. Just over 100 years ago, one ship met its early…
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Forever protected: why Bon Echo belongs
Our “Forever Protected” series shares why each and every park belongs in Ontario Parks. In today’s post, Lisa Roach from the Discovery Program tells us Bon Echo’s story. A favourite for generations of people, Bon Echo provides amazing scenery, relaxation, and a place for families and friends to reconnect. Indigenous peoples, artists, and early recreationists…
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Behind the scenes: on-camera creatures at Neys
Today’s post comes from the Discovery Program staff at Neys Provincial Park and our Northwest Zone Office. Parks are a popular spot for park visitors, but did you know they’re just as popular for animals like lynx, deer, and moose?
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8 questions with an Ontario Parks ecologist
Alison Lake or “Lakie” is an ecologist in our northeast zone, and has earned a reputation as a passionate promoter of ecological integrity. She has an infectious love of the natural world and is rarely seen without her “bins” (binoculars) around her neck.
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The Meteor in Helenbar Lake
Today’s post comes from our Discovery Specialist (and history buff), Dave Sproule. On June 29, 1946, a Meteor struck the waters of Helenbar Lake in the remote forests 60 km north of the town of Blind River… … but it wasn’t the kind of Meteor you’re thinking of. This Meteor was a jet fighter plane!
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Wabakimi: the land of the grey ghosts
Today’s post comes from Shannon Walshe, biologist at Wabakimi Provincial Park. Peering out from among the trees, I am certain these curious animals watched us as we paddled by. We know they exist, but they’re so seldom seen that they’re referred to as “the grey ghosts.” Wabakimi Provincial Park is home to the elusive creature…