The St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) has announced its plans to move forward with changes to improve its offerings to visitors and at the same time its fiscal sustainability.  SLPC operates an array of attractions and recreational experiences located in The Great Waterway region in Eastern Ontario along the St. Lawrence River.

A major change for 2012 is FREE access to drive along the necklace of eleven islands connected by the 11 kilometre long Long Sault Parkway between the villages of Ingleside and Long Sault and home to three campgrounds (McLaren, Woodlands & Mille Roches) and two day-use/beach areas (Woodlands & Mille Roches).  For a number of years, a day-use entry fee was charged at the entrances to the parkway in Long Sault and Ingleside even for drive-through customers during the operating season.  This change is hoped to increase traffic along the parkway by giving more visitors and local residents the opportunity to enjoy the scenic drive’s natural beauty.  The day-use fee will only be charged for visitors stopping to use the picnic and beach facilities at Woodlands and Mille Roches Parks or Lock 21. 

Other changes have been announced for the check-in procedures at the entrances to the campgrounds themselves.  Camper registration will now take place right at the park entrances to McLaren, Woodlands or Mille Roches Campgrounds in new storefront facilities that offer shopping for all camping essentials. This move will improve check-in times and reduce line ups on busy weekends getting campers to their campsites faster.

Other infrastructure investments at the campgrounds currently underway include two new cabins for McLaren Campground named the ‘Santa Cruz’ and the ‘Maple Grove’ after two of the hamlets of the Lost Villages, 113 RV site upgrades also at McLaren Campground and improvements to drainage and beach facilities at each park. 

At check-in, campers will be treated to two FREE passes that can be used for admission to either Upper Canada Village or Fort Henry during the regular season including visits to the new Discovery Centres at both sites as part of a new Reciprocal Program.  The offer is intended to encourage visitation to SLPC’s other attractions in the region, improving visitor experience and encouraging a longer length of stay in the campgrounds. 

St. Lawrence Parks campgrounds open for 2012 camping reservations both online and via telephone on February 27:

• Monday, February 27 – Long Sault Parkway ONLY
• Tuesday, February 28 – Long Sault Parkway and Ivy Lea Park ONLY
• Wednesday, February 29 – ALL PARKS

To make reservations visit www.StLawrenceParks.com or call 1- 800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328 (locally).

The SLPC is also in the process of conducting an analysis of the adventure/geo tourism opportunities to generate new revenues through its own business initiatives and through partnerships with the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.  Results from this study are anticipated by late Spring.