HPHP events

Healthy Parks Healthy People Day 2016: events

The big day‘s almost here!

We’re opening our doors to everyone in Ontario; there will be no charge for day-use visitation during July 15, 2016!

Parks across the province have exciting events and activities planned. Explore a new park, sample our facilities and services, or just enjoy a fun event in a great setting!

The time to strengthen and rediscover our connection to nature is now!

Check out our three spotlight events, or scroll down to see park events across the province:

1. Coleman Canada Games Area

Try a regular dose of camping for good health

Get outside for fun games, from bean-bag toss to badminton. Race your family and friends in setting up a variety of Coleman tents, compete in a sleeping bag race, or test your skills at balloon-tossing while wearing a PFD (spoilers: you might get wet at this one!).

While you’re there, chat with Coleman reps, check out the ultimate campsite, and enter a free draw to win awesome Coleman products.

  • Where: Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Oakville)
  • When: July 15, 2016; 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  • How: No registration necessary — just swing by!

2. Learn to Backcountry Camp

LearnToBackcountryCamp

Sign up for our FREE one-day Learn to Backcountry Camp” program. Learn how to load a backpack, load a canoe, set up a campsite, obtain safe drinking water, plan a menu, cook a meal, and much more – all in the backcountry (but only 2.5 hours from Toronto!).

  • Where: Kawartha Highlands Signature Site (between Peterborough and Bancroft)
  • When: July 15, 2016; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • How: Call 613-332-3940 x276 and speak with Sheri Cruickshank to register. Only 20 spots available.

3. Regeneration Weekend

Quetico scenery

Join us for a weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation under the pines of Quetico. Try some lakeside yoga, banghra class or meditation workshop. Check the full schedule here.

  • Where: Quetico Provincial Park (two hours from Thunder Bay)
  • When: July 15-17, 2016
  • How: Registration required for a few events — refer to schedule

Our Healthy Parks, Healthy People Day events span the province!

How will you spend the day?

Art & music

Park Activity / Event Zone
Bronte Creek Musical campfire Southwest / Central
Charleston Lake Photography walk Southeast
Esker Lakes Art in the park Northeast
Kettle Lakes Art in the park Northeast
Oastler Lake David Archibald’s Park Songs concert Near north
The Pinery Art workshop, photography workshop Southwest

Astronomy & campfires

Park Activity / Event Zone
Bonnechere Campfire, stargazing and storytelling Southeast
Port Burwell Astronomy night Southwest
Windy Lake Wild Stories around the campfire Near North

Cultural heritage

Park Activity / Event Zone
Darlington Pioneer Plants scavenger hunt Southwest / Central
Inverhuron Pioneer Olympics Southwest
Killbear Anishinabe Water Ceremony & Round Dance Near north
Murphys Point Silver Queen Mine tour Southeast
Petroglyphs First Nations presentations Southwest / Central
Samuel de Champlain Voyageur Paddle Tour Near north
The Pinery Objiway heritage booth Southwest
Wasaga Beach Visit Nancy Island Historic Site, scavenger hunt Southwest / Central

Kids programming

Park Activity / Event Zone
Algonquin Treasure hunt, sandcastle contest, insect-catching Near North
Balsam Lake Scavenger hunt Southwest / Central
Bonnechere Scavenger hunt Southeast
Darlington Bug Olympics Southwest / Central
Emily Hula-hooping, scavenger hunt Southwest / Central
Killbear Pan Am Games Near North
Rideau River Face painting Southeast
Sandbanks Marsh Madness for Preschoolers, Bike Rodeo Southeast
Silent Lake Scavenger hunt Southeast
The Massasauga Healthy snacks and kids games Near North
Windy Lake Smores and stories Near North

Nature hikes and education

Park Activity / Event Zone
Algonquin Wildlife hiking, biking and programs Near North
Awenda Kettle’s Lake ramble Southwest / Central
Bronte Creek Ranger ramble Southwest / Central
Darlington Turtle races Southwest / Central
Earl Rowe Guided hike Southwest / Central
Frontenac Guided hike Southeast
Grundy Lake Guided hike Near North
Kettle Lakes Explorer Challenge Northeast
Killbear Guided hike Near North
Lake St. Peter Scavenger hunt Southeast
MacGregor Point Bike hike Southwest
Mikisew Guided hike Northeast
Neys Lake Superior Sun & Sand Northwest
Pancake Bay Guided hike Northeast
Petroglyphs Scavenger hunt Southwest / Central
Point Farms Guided hike Southwest
Restoule Guided hike Northeast
Rideau River Birds of Prey show, shoreline hike Southeast
Rondeau Buzzing bees, guided hike Southwest
Samuel de Champlain Night hike Near North
Sandbanks Feeding Time, Trash Bash Southeast
The Pinery Intro to Birding hike, naturalist booths, bike hike, scavenger hunt Southwest
Windy Lake Guided hike Near North

Rentals and paddlesports

Park Activity / Event Zone
Algonquin SUP rentals Near North
Bonnechere SUP demo Southeast
Fitzroy Canoe/kayak rentals (2-hour limit) Southeast
Killbear Kayak/SUP demos Near North
Lake St. Peter Canoe/kayak rentals (2-hour limit) Southeast
Rondeau SUP clinics Southwest
Sauble Falls SUP lessons (boards provided) Southwest
Silent Lake Canoe/kayak rentals Southeast

Sports & recreation

Park Activity / Event Zone
Balsam Lake The Amazing Race Southwest / Central
Bonnechere Campers vs Staff volleyball, small games tournament Southeast
Bronte Creek Cricket, Coleman Games Area Southwest / Central
Earl Rowe Learn to Fish Southwest / Central
Emily Soccer Southwest / Central
Ivanhoe Lake Ivanhoe Olympics Northeast
MacGregor Point Survival Challenge Southwest
Mikisew Frisbee golf tournament Northeast
Murphys Point The Magnificent Race Southeast
Pancake Bay 5 km Fun Run Northeast
Rondeau 5 km Fun Run Southwest
Sandbanks Learn to Fish Southeast
Silent Lake Triathlon Southeast
The Pinery Orienteering Southwest

Yoga, zumba, meditation

Park Activity / Event Zone
Bonnechere Yoga on the beach Southeast
Bronte Creek Yoga in the park Southwest / Central
Darlington Mood walk Southwest / Central
Driftwood Yoga, zumba Near North
Emily Yoga Southwest / Central
Killbear Yoga on the beach Near North
Lake St. Peter Yoga on the beach Southeast
MacGregor Point Morning aerobics, yoga on the beach, sunset walk Southwest
Mikisew Zumba Northeast
Quetico Regeneration Weekend Northwest
Restoule Yoga Northeast
Rondeau Yoga, zumba Southwest
Samuel de Champlain Zumba Near North
The Pinery Tai chi demo, sunset stroll Southwest
Wasaga Beach Tai chi on the beach Southwest / Central

Find a park near you and start planning your adventure!