2018 marks Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary!
Gearing up to celebrate 125 years of parks had us digging through our archives in search of vintage photos and documents. Over the course of the year, we’ll be sharing our discoveries in an OP125 blog series.
This month, we’re taking a look back at how our annual parks guides have evolved over the decades…
As part of Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’re asking Ontarians to help us fund one of five legacy projects across the province.
Killarney Provincial Park’s legacy project is to upgrade the “The Crack” hiking trail. This is a short, day-use portion of the multi-day (80 km) La Cloche Silhouette Trail along Killarney’s white quartzite ridges.
The car ride to our favourite destination always seems to take forever. We always look for special landmarks along the way to let us know we’re getting close.
Some of these landmarks are special to you, but others are truly iconic. They let you know that you have “arrived”. For lovers of Algonquin Provincial Park, the birch bark map is that iconic landmark.
As part of the Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’re asking Ontarians to help us fund five legacy projects across the province.
Algonquin’s legacy project is to refurbish and update the park’s iconic sign to provide a warm, familiar welcome to visitors for years to come.
Did you know Balsam Lake’s Waterfront Trail used to be King’s Highway 46?
As part of the Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’re asking Ontarians to help us fund five legacy projects across the province.
Balsam Lake Provincial Park’s project is…
…the restoration and upgrade of the Waterfront Trail!
As part of the Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’re asking Ontarians to help us fund five legacy projects across the province.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s project is…
…the construction of the first cricket ground in the provincial park system!
As part of the Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’re asking Ontarians to help us fund five legacy projects across the province.
Lake Superior Provincial Park’s legacy project is the upgrade and extension of the Noisy Bay Hiking Trail and the creation of an accessible trail down to the beach.
That’s 125 years of pitching tents, crackling campfires, mouth-watering s’mores, breathtaking sunsets, star-strewn nights, and unforgettable adventures.
It all started in 1893 with the creation of Canada’s first provincial park, Algonquin. Today, Ontario Parks protects 340 provincial parks, which encompass just under 8% of Ontario, an area larger than Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island combined!
We invite you to celebrate our anniversary all year with special events, cultural heritage programs, stewardship activities, a concert series, and a series of legacy projects. Make 2018 the year to visit the stunningly beautiful landscapes of our province, carry on traditions, and make new memories.
Happy New Year, parks-lovers!
Throughout 2018, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic. Each month will feature a photo from our 2018 OP125 anniversary calendar! This month features the icy caves of Lake Superior Provincial Park.
We’ve specially sized these images for your computers, tablets, smartphones and Facebook covers.
Our limited supply of OP125 calendars have been given away. We are now out of stock. Thank you for your interest.
Want to invite a piece of Ontario’s natural world into your home?
In honour of Ontario Parks’ 125th anniversary, we’ve transformed the 2018 parks guide into a free calendar!
Each month features a beauty shot of a different provincial park, as well as some black-and-white photos of our past.
Continue reading **SOLD OUT** Introducing the OP125 anniversary calendar!
