| Provincial
park planning requires public consultation at each stage of the process.
It is essential that we have input from the people most interested
in the outcome of our management decisions. Your input could be as
simple as providing oral or written comments. It also could involve
visiting, or taking part in, a provincial park information centre,
open house or public meeting.
Ontario Parks
organizes a variety of public consultation events regarding park
planning projects. For further information, contact your local
park, or zone office to ask about ongoing park planning projects.
Also, check your local newspapers for advertisements outlining the
date, time and location of future events.
How you respond
depends on the nature of the event. When there's an open house,
attend it and talk to Ontario Park staff --- your comments will
be recorded for consideration during plan preparation. If it's a
public meeting, you may wish to submit a brief by putting information,
facts, opinions and comments in writing. Or, you may prefer to write
a letter.
Whatever means
you use, consider the questions: "What are the heritage values
and recreational activities requiring special protection and management?"
and "How best can this be accomplished?".
Approved Park Management Plans
Visit the approved management plans page.
Current Policy Development Projects
Fire Management Policy for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves
Information
Centres
Visitors will
find displays, posters, maps, plans and other written materials
at information centres set up in local Ontario Parks offices. Check
with your local offices for dates and times. Brochures, information
tabloids, fact sheets and other printed materials will be available
to take home. Response forms will be provided to make it easy for
you to forward your comments. You are welome to drop by your local
Ontario Parks office to disuss issues and proposals further.
Open Houses
Open houses
provide opportunities for the public to examine terms of reference,
background information, concept and preliminary plans, draft policies
and talk to Ontario Parks staff. Displays, maps and written materials
will be available for viewing and to take home. Staff will be on
hand to answer questions and address any concerns. Your opinion
is important. Written comments will be collected and verbal comments
and concerns will be recorded.
Public Meetings
Public meetings
provide opportunities for people to hear presentations on background
information, issues, options, policies and plans and to respond
to these presentations through oral and written comments and briefs.
Displays and maps are available for viewing. Ontario Parks staff
are on hand to make presentations and to answer questions. Public
meetings have a formal structure. They are run by a chairperson
and minutes of the meeting are recorded. |
