Tag: beaches
-
Finding a place in the sun for the Pitcher's Thistle
In today’s post, former Chief Park Naturalist Angela Gunn reflects on the at-risk Pitcher’s Thistle. Almost 20 years have passed since we mindfully took notice of the Pitcher’s Thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) and added it to our provincial species-at-risk list. Standing up to a metre tall, the Pitcher’s Thistle casts its slender silvery profile against dune and…
-
What makes the Great Lakes so great?
In today’s blog, Discovery Project Program Coordinator Jessica Stillman reflects on our mutual relationship with the Great Lakes. Our human history is reflected in their waters. The Great Lakes capture our past, influence our present, and inspire our future. Imagine the stories they could tell. These bodies of water are called the Great Lakes for…
-
How to plan a day trip to North Beach
North Beach Provincial Park is a beautiful day use park offering long sandy beaches along Lake Ontario and their enclosed bay — 2,000 metres of sand beach to be specific! Located in Prince Edward County, a short drive from its more famous neighbour, Sandbanks, it’s a popular spot for beach-goers and often hits capacity throughout…
-
Should you bring a floatie to the beach?
The day starts out with the best intentions. You’ve brought your inflatable flamingo (or unicorn or yellow duck or inner tube…) to your favourite beach in hopes of getting some much-needed R&R. You wade into the water, throw the shades on, climb aboard, and lie back to soak up the sun… … when suddenly, you’re…
-
How to plan your trip to Sibbald Point
Located on Lake Simcoe, Sibbald Point Provincial Park is a great spot for day-use. The park has a sandy beach and shallow water perfect for kids. But during the hot summer months, the park can get extremely busy. Many weekends, Sibbald Point hits capacity and can’t welcome any more visitors. This year, you need to book…
-
Piping Plovers
Today’s post comes from Assistant Ecologist and Piping Plover specialist Ian Fife. If you’ve visited some of our popular Great Lakes beaches, you may have noticed restricted areas for a tiny bird no larger than a sparrow. What’s so important about these birds, and why do we fence off parts of our beaches to protect…
-
Why driftwood matters
Today’s post comes from Laura Myers, Past Senior Park Interpreter of Neys Provincial Park. Driftwood – it makes a great bench to watch the sunset, a balancing beam to play on, or that perfect element to your photograph. There’s something about driftwood that gives beaches that rugged beauty factor. Walking on a beach, listening to…
-
2022 Piping Plover season recap
In today’s post, Piping Plover Biologist Monica Fromberger shares the hot gossip surrounding this season’s plover population. We had TWO Piping Plover nests in southeastern Ontario this year! One at Darlington Provincial Park and the other at Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
-
Beach basics
Ontario Parks beaches are prime summer destinations, particularly on weekends with beautiful weather. Our beaches welcome tens of thousands of visitors every year, and we’re proud to be part of so many happy memories. Here are our top tips to help keep our parks safe and protected, and practice good beach etiquette: