Ontario's
Provincial Park Planning and Management Policies  (1.4mb
PDF) establish both size and distribution criteria for wilderness,
natural environment and waterway class parks. The number and distribution
of these park classes is determined by the number and distribution
of the province's site regions and districts. The policies also establish
specific targets for representing the earth science, life science,
cultural and recreational features of the province.
Theoretically,
one wilderness park is established in each site region, while a
natural environment and waterway park are established in each site
district. Provincial nature reserves and historical parks are selected
to capture significant natural and culture features not found within
other parks. Collectively, these parks are established to protect
a representative system of Ontario's diverse natural, cultural and
recreational landscapes.
Wilderness
Class Parks
The target for
wilderness class parks is to establish one wilderness park, or equivalent
sized national park, and one complementary wilderness zone in each
of Ontario's 13 site regions. Wilderness parks should exceed 100,000
hectares, while zones should be greater than 2000 hectares in size.
Due to extensive incompatible use, true wilderness can no longer be
found in the province's two southernmost site regions.
An assessment
shows that nine of 11 wilderness park targets and five wilderness
zone targets have been met. Recent actions taken to complete Ontario's
system of wilderness parks includes the creation of new wilderness
zones in Algonquin (25,000 hectares), The
Massasauga (3,178 hectares) and Missinaibi
(21,375 hectares) provincial parks.
Natural Environment
Class Parks
The target for
natural environment class parks is to establish one 2000 hectare park,
or an equivalent size wilderness zone, in each of Ontario's 65 site
districts. A preliminary assessment shows that 56 of 65 natural environment
class park targets have been achieved. Parks in 16 of 56 site districts,
however, fall short of the minimum 2000 hectare size criteria for
natural environment parks.
Recent actions
taken to complete this component of the park system include the
regulation of Nakina Moraine and Kenny
Forest Provincial Parks. New regulations also have been proposed
to establish Blue Jay Creek Provincial Park and to expand Charleston
Lake and Wakami Lake Provincial Park.
Waterway Class
Parks
The target for
waterway class parks is to establish one waterway park, or an equivalent
waterway corridor, traversing each of Ontario's 65 site districts.
Assessment shows that 37 of 65 waterway class park targets have been
achieved. Waterway park target achievement is high in the north and
low in the southern regions of the province.
Recent actions
taken to complete this component of the park system include the
expansions of Missinaibi, La
Verendrye and Brightsand provincial
parks and the nomination of the Grand River as a Canadian Heritage
River.
Nature Reserve
Class Parks
Targets for nature
reserve class parks are defined by scientific based earth science
and life science classifications. Nature reserves are selected to
represent natural features and ecosystems not found in the other park
classes. Currently, 88 provincial nature reserves and 263 nature reserve
zones in other park classes incorporate 381,039 hectares of lands
and waters.
Inventories
show that about one half of all desired earth science and life science
features and ecosystems have been secured by provincial parks. Recent
action taken includes putting forward regulations for 10 new provincial
nature reserves incorporating more than 58,000 hectares of lands
and waters.
Historical
Class Parks
Targets for historical
class parks are defined by an archeologic- and historic-based classification.
Historical parks are selected to represent cultural features and themes
not found in other park classes. Inventories show that less than one
half of all desired cultural resources have been secured by provincial
parks. Considerable research and inventory is now needed to determine
the future needs for this component of the provincial park system.
Recreation
Class Parks
The target for
recreation class parks is to provide residents and out of province
visitors with appropriate levels of day use and facility-based camping
opportunities. The selection (and operation) of recreation parks and
the provision of outdoor recreation opportunities is related to regional
population distribution and demands.
Today, there
are 71 recreation class parks incorporating 39,570 hectares of lands
and waters. These parks are being re-evaluated to determine whether
they adequately satisfy current outdoor recreation demands. This
park rationalization exercise may result in redistribution of recreation
class parks and the provision of new outdoor recreation opportunities.
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