Yorkregion.com - Georgina - Rising gas price could be boon for park
Rising gas price could be boon for park
Sunset at Sibbald Point is one of the most picturesque sites in York Region. The provincial park opens for another season tomorrow just in time for next weekend’s Victoria Day long weekend.
Georgina
May 07, 2008 07:46 PM
By: John Slykhuis
Sibbald Point Provincial Park opens this weekend and, with gas prices soaring, attendance could hit record highs if the weather co-operates.
Thanks to its proximity to Toronto, Sibbald Point’s attractive lakefront beaches, verdant nature trails and sprawling parkland are becoming increasingly popular, park superintendent Doug MacEachern said.
“Last year, we were up about 7 per cent, which was quite a substantial increase over the year before.”
The price at the pumps could have had something to do with that, he added.
“We’ve had gas prices spike before and we did notice an increase.”
The park drew more than 300,000 visitors last year, making it Georgina’s biggest visitor attraction.
Most were there for the day, but the park’s 900 campsites, particularly the larger, electricity equipped sites for big motor homes, drew long-term visitors who pump dollars into the town’s economy.
Sibbald Point also boasts the town’s longest stretch of sandy beach with pristine water that has never experienced a swimming ban.
The park’s large boat launch area is busy, particularly on weekends.
Boat launching is included in the cost of admission, which is $16.80 per vehicles Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and $11.85 weekdays.
There is an alcohol ban in place for this weekend and Victoria Day long weekend next week.
Last year, Sibbald Point marked its 50th anniversary and also marked the passage of the new Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act that strengthened the old Provincial Parks Act, Mr. MacEachern said.
The new act makes a priority of protection, planning and management in parks and preserves, while still recognizing the value of outdoor recreation.
Sibbald Point Provincial Park’s jurisdiction includes the Duclos Point Nature Reserve (known locally as Morning Glory Swamp) and the Holland Landing Prairie, Mr. MacEachern said.
The little-known Duclos Point reserve is home to rare plants and birds such as the marsh wren, osprey and Caspian tern, black ash, silver maple, cattails, bulrushes, wild rice and small pockets of thicket swamp.
There is an extensive offshore sandbar.
The reserve is accessible only by a walking trail off Hwy. 48.
There are no visitor facilities and camping is not permitted.
“It’s a great place, but don’t forget the mosquito spray,” Mr. MacEachern said.
Last month’s town mosquito spray program did not include the extensive wetland.
The Holland Landing Prairie is located on the deep sand and silt deposits of the former Algonquin Lake Plain.
This nature reserve protects one of the few remaining patches of tallgrass prairie in Ontario.
Currently, much of the reserve is planted with red pine, but future plans include restoring the native prairie ecosystem, Mr. MacEachern said.
There are no visitor facilities provided and parking is limited to the access point on Cedar Street access point.
Hiking, cross-country skiing and nature appreciation are encouraged, but there is a challenge in keeping out destructive all-terrain vehicles, he said.
Sibbald Point is expected to be used more regularly by Georgina residents as the town continues to grow.
The park is working closely with the town administration in co-operative ventures, Mr. MacEachern said.
This year marks the completion of a new $2-million municipally-treated water system for the park that will bring it up to par with stricter new provincial water quality standards.
The system hooks up to the new 325-home development on Black River Road and will also include a public water tap to be completed soon.
Sibbald Point is home to the York Region District School Boards outdoor education centre, a partnership with Ontario Parks that opened in 2004, giving school children an opportunity to experience and develop a first-hand understanding and appreciation for the environment.
Nearby is Eildon Hall, the Sibbald family museum containing rare artifacts from the Victorian and colonial era.
Just outside the park gates is historic St. George’s Anglican Church that includes the burial place of famous Canadian writer Stephen Leacock as well as Mazo de la Roche, author of the Jalna series.
Offseason use is increasing as well and the pay and display system in place “is working great”, Mr. McEachern said.
The park is popular with ice anglers, hikers and cross-country skiiers after the summer closing Thanksgiving Day.
Sales of season passes are increasing as park users realize it allows admission not only to Sibbald Point park, but all provincial parks.
The season pass, good from April 1 to Oct. 31, costs $89.15.
Reservations are being accepted for campsites.
Log on to www.ontarioparks.com for more information about Sibbald Point and other provincial parks.