Central Lake Ontario Conservation (Cloca) has announced the re-opening plan for all eight of their Conservation Areas effective Wednesday May 20 – but with Covid-19 mitigation measures in place.
All Conservation Areas and adjoining parking lots will be open on Wednesday, May 20 for trail use only, said a Cloca statement.
All picnic areas, washrooms, buildings and on-site facilities remain closed until further notice. Regular parking fees apply, however cash is no longer accepted at parking metres, only Visa and Mastercard. Yearly Parking Passes are available for purchase ($75), it said.
Cloca requested that visits be limited to two hours in length, as a courtesy to others, to avoid overcrowded conditions.
Visitors need to respect the rules and direction from the Province and Durham Region Health Department to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Even in outdoor environments, the need to practice social/physical distancing still applies; wash your hands regularly, visit in groups no larger than five people and if you are sick, please stay home,Cloca said.
In addition to these best practices, Cloca reminded visitors to pack-out all waste and keep pets on a leash (no longer than two metres in length) at all times.
The following Conservation Areas will be open on Wednesday, May 20, from dawn to dusk:
1. Bowmanville/Westside Marshes Conservation Area, Clarington
2. Crow’s Pass Conservation Area, Port Perry
3. Enniskillen Conservation Area, Clarington
4. Heber Down Conservation Area, Whitby
5. Long Sault Conservation Area, Bowmanville
6. Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Whitby
7. Purple Woods Conservation Area, Oshawa
8. Stephen’s Gulch Conservation Area, Clarington
Durham Region Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, said Cloca has many beautiful conservation areas throughout Durham Region to enjoy, and it is very important for our health and well-being to remain active, get outdoors and appreciate nature.
While this is good news for area residents, the risk of Covid-19 spread remains in the community, he said. “We ask that visitors follow physical distancing guidelines and use personal protective measures to protect themselves and others from becoming ill.
“We remind all visitors to:
- Not gather in groups and avoid crowded places
- Limit close contact with individuals outside your household, both in indoor and outdoor spaces
- Stay at least two metres (six feet) away from other people
- Greet others from a distance with a wave or a nod
- Pay attention to physical barriers in place to ensure physical distancing
- Avoid touching your face
- Keep hand sanitizer with you so you can clean your hands often
- Cover your sneeze with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue in the garbage, practice hand hygiene and if you do not have a tissue, sneeze into your sleeve or arm
- Use contactless payment systems and avoid handling money as much as possible; and
- Wash your hands with soap and water at the first opportunity
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