COVID-19 Protocols – TRCA Conservation Parks, Lands, and Campgrounds

Update: May 2022

TRCA remains committed to reducing the spread of COVID-19. We continue to encourage visitors to self-screen, physically distance and use masks/face coverings while indoors. Advanced reservations and cashless payments remain in effect for some parks and facilities – please visit the park webpage or contact the park or facility for further detail. Hand sanitization stations remain in effect until further notice. Visitors are required to comply with all government regulations and mandates pertaining to COVID-19.

 

For a full listing of all Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) properties and up-to-date status of locations please see our Places to Visit page.

Introduction:

Operations have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19. This document provides operational direction and addresses service resumption for TRCA Conservation Parks.

Infection Prevention & Control Measures:

The following mitigation guidelines will help reduce the risk of respiratory infections, including COVID19.

Prior to Arrival:

  • Prior to coming to a campground or conservation park, every visitor must do the Ontario Ministry of Health self-assessment for COVID-19. If they do not pass the assessment, they should not visit the park.
  • Visitors should be aware of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, including:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough or barking cough
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Muscle aches
    • Extreme tiredness
    • Sore throat or trouble swallowing
    • Headache
    • Runny nose or nasal congestions
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Falling down often
  • If a visitor is living with someone that is currently experiencing any new COVID-19 symptoms and/or are waiting for test results after experiencing symptoms, they should not visit the park.

Practice Proper Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette:

  • Clean your hands often. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based (70-90%) hand sanitizer.
  • Arrive prepared with a mask or a face covering.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue. Immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
  • Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Stay home if you are feeling unwell. At the discretion of staff, any visitors exhibiting signs of illness will asked to leave the location.

Arrivals:

  • Stay local to limit unnecessary travel and plan your visit accordingly.
  • General Admission fees will apply.
  • Cash will not be accepted. Contactless payments only will be accepted in the form of debit or credit transactions.
  • Wearing a mask or a face covering is required in indoor TRCA facilities as per provincial regulation, public health order or municipal by-laws. The mask or face covering should cover your nose, mouth, and chin, without gapping. Wearing a mask or face covering is an additional measure we can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep each other safe. All visitors entering an indoor premise, including washrooms and camp stores, are required to wear a mask or face covering while inside. When visiting one of our locations, please arrive prepared with a mask or face covering. Please note that as of December 21, 2020, the Government of Ontario has indicated that scarves and bandanas are insufficient methods of face coverings.
  • Park only in designated parking lots. Do not block gates or roadways.
  • If high visitation levels cause unsafe conditions, the number of visitors may be limited to respect physical distancing requirements.
  • Be patient and respectful of others, including our dedicated staff.

Physical Distancing Requirements:

  • Where party members are not from the same household, party size must not exceed the applicable limit set out under the emergency orders or regulations in force Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act or Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act.
  • Visitors are required to maintain physical distance of no less than two metres (6 feet) from other persons, except for persons living in the same household.
  • Visitors are expected to wear a mask whenever entering open indoor facilities (for example washrooms), while waiting in any lines, or whenever two metres (6 feet) distance cannot be maintained between other park visitors.

Amenities and Facilities:

  • Where washrooms are available, please adhere to posted bathroom occupancy limits. Stagger your entrance into and when exiting from washrooms to maintain physical distance.
  • Playgrounds are available.
  • Picnic areas, swimming, fitness equipment, and rentals will not be available until further notice.
  • Visitors can walk/run/bike in parks and on trails.
  • Stay on trails, stepping off only to allow others to pass to maintain two metres (6 feet) distance.
  • Keep pets on a leash, at least two metres (6 feet) away from other people and animals and clean up after them.
  • Do not litter. Please use recycling and garbage receptacles available on site.


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