Provincial Parks Free of Charge on July 15

Ontario Participating in Healthy Parks Healthy People Movement

Ontario’s provincial parks will be open to the public free of charge on July 15 this year for all day-use visitors, as part of the world-wide Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.

Started in Australia, Healthy Parks Healthy People reinforces and encourages the connections between a healthy environment and a healthy society.

Many Ontario parks will be offering a number of fun activities on July 15, and throughout the year, including:

• Yoga on the Beach at  Killbear Provincial Park
• Exploring the scenic shores of Lake Superior at Neys Provincial Park
• Taking a guided hike around Kettle’s Lake at Awenda Provincial Park
• Relaxing and rejuvenating with forest therapy and traditional healing at Quetico Provincial Park
• Enjoying some games from the past with Pioneer Olympics at Inverhuron Provincial Park

Research shows access to nature and green space plays a vital role in physical and mental health, well-being and development. For example:

• Playing in natural environments is essential to children’s development of observation, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity and imagination
• Contact with nature has restorative properties, increasing energy and improving feelings of vitality and focus
• Time outside lifts levels of Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and can help mitigate several diseases and mental health issues
• Spending time outdoors is linked to increased work productivity and creativity, and decreased levels of stress and anxiety.

Check out more events, or simply bring family or friends to your favourite park and create your own.

QUICK FACTS

• In 2015, Ontario’s provincial parks received more than 9.8 million visits from people around the world and brought in almost $90 million in revenue, which supports jobs and businesses across the province.
• With more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, our province’s natural spaces are the perfect places for fun and healthy activities.
• Last year’s free day-use day for Healthy Parks Healthy People drew an estimated 14,802 visitors.