Author: Ontario Parks

A Sandbanks summer: the life of a maintenance student at Ontario Parks

Last summer while other people my age worked in customer service or were out on placement, I chose a job with the beautiful Sandbanks Provincial Park as a maintenance student.

Hi, my name is Hunter, I am a post-secondary student studying photojournalism and am into the second year of my program. This past summer was my second season working at Sandbanks. While I might seem like an odd fit compared to many of my co-workers whose backgrounds or area of study relate to natural sciences or the outdoors, working at Ontario Parks has been one of the greatest summer jobs, full of adventures and lots of learning.

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March’s digital download

March is a month of big changes, as winter gives way to spring.

Squeeze in one last snowy adventure in this March and get outside!

This month’s FREE digital download comes from the stunning Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park.

Throughout 2023, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.

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There’s no research like snow research

In today’s blog, Helen McConnell, a marketing and communications specialist at Algonquin Provincial Park, explains what “SNOW” is and how SNOW data is used to protect our parks and the species that live here.

On a chilly Monday in March, I found myself snowshoeing with our park biologist, loudly crunching through the snow as we followed a “snow course” through through the hardwood forest.

Continue reading There’s no research like snow research

Bronte Creek’s maple candy wars

Today’s blog post was written by Jessica Stillman, school outreach coordinator and maple syrup aficionado at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

Maple season is upon us!

Trees have been tapped, sap is boiling, and Bronte Creek’s annual Maple Syrup Festival is underway, which means the biggest annual debate has also begun…

…which is the better form of maple candy: taffy or sugar?

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Discover Lake Huron’s beauty on the Georgian Bay – Lake Huron Route

Planning a cross-province adventure? Check out the Ontario Parks Driving Routes.

If an unforgettable road trip is on your bucket list, we’ve got the route for you. Our Georgian Bay – Lake Huron Route is your guide to the world’s longest freshwater beach, breathtaking Georgian Bay sunsets, and the world’s largest freshwater island.

Hike the white quartzite hills painted by the Group of Seven. Paddle the inspiring and rugged granite shoreline of Georgian Bay and take in the windswept pines that make this region famous.

Starting in Toronto and drive north from there, this tour is one you’ll never forget.

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Mental health benefits of getting outside this winter

Getting outdoors in Ontario this winter may be brisk, but it comes with a whole host of benefits for your mood and health.

The winter season notoriously brings cold weather, shorter days, and too much time cooped up indoors. It can even trigger a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

All the more reason not to hibernate!

Let’s look at some of the very real mental health benefits of the outdoors during the winter season:

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An innovative new partnership at Mississagi Provincial Park

Mississagi Provincial Park is located in the Penokean Hills, within the Robinson Huron Treaty territory and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, about 25 km north of Elliot Lake.

We’re excited to announce that the Ontario government has entered into an agreement with the newly formed Mississagi Park Foundation to maintain and operate the park moving forward.

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Shortcuts? More like shore cuts!

Today’s post comes from Mikhaila Lafleur-Weidhaas, a park warden at Pancake Bay Provincial Park.

Two beach trails diverged at a dune, one well-travelled and clear — the other a shortcut. Do you take “the road most travelled?”

The coastal shores of Lake Superior, with its sand beaches and Caribbean blue water, have been a popular attraction to thousands, from nomadic voyagers to people looking for paradise close to home.

However, as people run to Ontario’s beaches looking for a staycation, more pressure is being placed on our sandy shores.

This increased pressure can cause a decline of these dynamic and rare freshwater coastal dune ecosystems.

Continue reading Shortcuts? More like shore cuts!