Opening delayed at these provincial parks due to ice storm damage

Ontario Parks crews are working tirelessly to clean up after the ice storm left destruction in its wake.

Cleanup efforts are still underway at many provincial parks following a powerful ice storm that struck central Ontario one month ago. The damage included downed trees blocking roads, damaged hydro lines, and destruction to park infrastructure as crews work to restore access and safety.

According to Ontario Parks, Bass Lake, Mara Provincial Park and McRae Point are closed to the public for assessment and significant cleanup.

“All three parks were equally impacted and any area that had trees were affected. Campsites, trails, and hydro infrastructure were all heavily damaged,” said park superintendent Scott Thomas.

The cleanup effort has been extensive, with Ontario Parks contracting additional services to manage particularly damaged sections of the campgrounds and address fallen branches. Restoration of hydro lines is also a priority, and crews are working diligently to ensure the parks are safe before opening to visitors.

Thomas said currently McRae Point is in relatively good shape. “It is now open for visitors to access for walking on park roads, but the trails are closed,” he noted. “Bass Lake and Mara remain closed to the public due to tree hazards and to allow our team and arborists to continue their work.”

Despite the setbacks, Ontario Parks remains focused on reopening the affected parks. Originally scheduled to open for the 2025 camping season on May 9, McRae Point is expected to open on time while Bass Lake and Mara parks are set to open a week later on May 16, just in time for the May long weekend.

Roughly 100 campsite reservations were impacted by the delay.

Reservations impacted by the storm will be handled directly, with visitors being contacted in advance to make alternative arrangements or receive refunds, if necessary, Ontario Parks noted.

Ontario Parks officials note that this event is unlikely to have long-term consequences on the broader forest health or park management. The agency has a proactive tree management program in place, having already dealt with threats such as the Emerald Ash Borer and Beech Bark Disease over the years. As a result, many diseased and dying trees were removed prior to the storm, which minimized the overall damage.

Thomas said park staff are disappointed by the storm damage but remain committed to getting the parks back in shape for the upcoming season.

“We’re working very hard to restore the parks so visitors can enjoy them again,” Thomas added.