This section of the website is reserved for news on upcoming events and programs taking place at the various campgrounds of the Parks of the St. Lawrence. More detailed information on programs can be found on each individual campsite page.

Craving some COOL summer fun? Get in on the action this August 6, 7 & 8 when the serene setting of Crysler Park Marina on the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg morphs into a riverside playground during an ALL-NEW RIVER RUSH event! Kicking off Friday night will be a live performance by country rock band Ridin' Shotgun at the Marina’s Marker 72 Dockside Patio. This weekend event promises to play out with tons of thrills, spills, music and fun for all ages!

Highlighting the weekend are professional, high-energy acts including a dazzling Saturday afternoon competition-style Extreme Trampoline Show, where professional and fearless athletes will perform airborne tricks and turns on skis and boards! Sunday afternoon picks up speed with a high-adrenaline ProStunt BMX / In-Line / Skateboard Show by the Krusher Stunt Team from Montreal, who play to amaze on an enormous ¼ pipe!

Throughout the weekend, you can test your own endurance on a Rock Climbing Wall, or check your ability to stay upright as you take on an opponent in a Sumo Wrestling Match! Catch the action of Racing Remote Control Cars and Boats as the Marina plays host to the Cornwall Remote Control Clubs annual tournament! Sign up for the Family Fishing Derby, swing into action on our Closest to the Pin contest, or shoot it out in our Disc Golf Tournament. Even some canine friends will be joining the fun, as the Airborne Disc Dogs Club of Ottawa put on special performances audiences of all ages will love (guest dogs are invited to learn a trick or two as well!).

Get in sync with the beat of a daily “Junkyard Jam” show on both Saturday and Sunday, performed by the Junkyard Symphony, who specialize in making music with recycled objects! Be amazed with the circus-style antics and magic of Dr. Kaboom! Rise to the challenge of our Kid’s Games, including a Wii gaming centre, Jacob’s Ladder agility game, Frog Jump coordination game and more! Learn about the wild side of life with special presentations by Little Ray’s Reptiles and Endangered Species Show on Saturday.

Summer sun means sizzling fun! Cool off with a slippery ride down our giant inflatable slide! Take to the water on our new paddle boards, paddle boats, canoes and kayaks! Re-energize yourself with some fresh-squeezed lemonade or kettle corn at our snack booth, or chill out over a lunch or dinner special at the Marker 72 Dockside Patio, featuring live entertainment by "Ridin' Shotgun" on Friday evening, easy rock band Sultans of Gin throughout the day on Saturday and piped music provided by the Krusher Stunt Team before their show on Saturday.

Admission to the Marina on Saturday and Sunday during the River Rush event is $10 per adult per day, $5 per child (5-12 yrs.) per day. Admission includes all games, entertainment and shows, plus two free vouchers to be used against ticketed activities (i.e.. paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, sumo wrestling and rock wall climbing). Additional activity vouchers can be purchased separately for $2 each. Special weekend admission passes are available for $15 per adult and $8 per child (5-12 yrs.).

All programming is subject to change and many activities are weather dependent. A more detailed schedule will be posted online soon.

The 12 Parks and Campgrounds operated by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission will all open this Saturday, May 21. These are all along the St. Lawrence River, from Glengarry near the Quebec border west to the ever popular Ivy Lea Campground and Brown’s Bay Beach and Park on the 1000 Islands Parkway. Campgrounds feature a variety of sites, from super convenient RV sites with full services to hike-out sites in more secluded areas.

If you are looking for an affordable yet scenic getaway this summer, look no further than one of the 1,300 campsites that the Parks of the St. Lawrence have to offer – more than 200 of them are 30-amp RV sites. Plus, there are 60 + kms of bikepath and hiking trails, all set along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, offering natural beauty, plenty of wildlife, and clear starry nights by the campfire.

Major new investments for 2010 include: a new camper cabin (sleeps up to 6) and 35 upgraded RV sites at Ivy Lea Park. Plus, a $7.1Million investment in a new roadway, adjacent bike path, and refurbished bridges along the Long Sault Parkway is coming, with construction to begin in Fall 2010.

CAMPGROUNDS & BEACHES OPEN
Hot sunny weather is expected to fill up the campgrounds and selected beaches/day-use areas along the St. Lawrence. Opening on the Victoria Day weekend: Campgrounds - Ivy Lea Park, Riverside-Cedar, Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, McLaren, Mille Roches, and Woodlands Campgrounds along the Long Sault Parkway, and Glengarry Park open on Friday, May 21, with check-in time after 2:00 p.m. Sites are filling quickly and reservations are strongly recommended. Camping reservations can be made either online at StLawrenceParks.com or by calling the Customer Service Unit at 800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328 (locally).

Selected beach day-use areas will also open on Saturday, May 22: Mille Roches Beach and the day-use area at Glengarry Park will open for the summer and Brown’s Bay will open for weekends until May 30 and daily beginning June 5 until September 6.

INSTANT CAMPING
For the novice camper or if you are wishing to try camping but don’t have the equipment, you can try the hassle-free approach to camping with Instant Camping.. Available at Riverside-Cedar Campground and at Crysler Park Marina, sites are outfitted with a tent set up on a wooden platform that sleeps two adults and up to three children. Amenities include a picnic table, a cooking fire ring, a propane stove/barbeque and nearby water access. It is a perfect way to experience camping for the first time without investing in camping gear.

EXPANDED RETAIL & FUN ACTIVITIES
This year campers will be able to do more shopping right at the campground as the line of retail merchandise will be expanded. Camping supplies, groceries, park logo t-shirts and other merchandise will be available; selection will vary depending upon park facilities.

Plus there will be more activities right in the parks. Movie nights and children’s programming and activities will be available at all parks throughout the season. Special events including Birds of Prey, Concerts in the Park and Little Ray’s Reptile shows will be offered in the campgrounds on a variety of dates.

MORE SPECIAL EVENTS
Coming up on May 29 and 30 is the Long Sault Regatta (hydroplane races) at Mille Roches Beach on the Long Sault Parkway. A true display of speed and skill, the racing begins at 11:00 am. Food and refreshments are available on site along with a beer garden operated by the Ingleside Fire Department. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

NEW ‘River Rush’ special event will take place at Crysler Park Marina from August 6 - 8. This high adrenaline, water-based event will feature a BMX stunt show, paddle boards, zorb balls and water trikes. A vendors marketplace plus entertainment and dining will be available at the Marker 72 Dockside patio.

MARKET 72 DOCKSIDE PATIO TO OPEN DAILY STARTING JUNE 24 The Dockside patio is fully licensed and will open for the season on Thursday, June 24 and operate from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm daily. An exciting new menu and the beautiful marina setting offer relaxation at its best.

BIKE, CANOE, KAYAK, & WATER SPORTS RENTALS
Visitors are encouraged to soak up the fun this summer season and to enjoy the great outdoors – rent a bike at a number of locations and take advantage of the St. Lawrence Recreation Trail, paddle, sail or even scuba dive the depths of the St. Lawrence River; try kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding or water tubing or just enjoy the numerous sandy beaches and watch the big boats cruise by. The Crysler Park Marina has a wide variety of equipment to wet your watersports appetite.

LONG SAULT SEASON PASS – excellent value
At $50.00 (plus tax), the Long Sault Parkway Day-Use Pass provides excellent value for families who frequently visit the Long Sault Parkway’s beach day-use areas, allowing unlimited day-use access exclusive to the Long Sault Parkway throughout the 2010 season. A similar pass is available for the Brown’s Bay Beach Day-Use Area at a cost of $50.00 (plus tax). A season pass is also available for access to ALL St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s beach day-use areas. This all-inclusive pass sells for $75.00 (plus tax) and also permits day-use access into any of the Ontario Parks sites.

For information call the Customer Service Unit at 1-800-437-2233 or 613-543-4328 (locally).

On Saturday, April 24, The Friends and Mr. Paul McLellan are presenting a workshop for youngsters (focus on ages 6-10 but open to children of any age) and their adult guest. The workshop will be presented inside the Visitor Centre.

Participants will receive a Nest Box Kit prepared by the volunteer leaders and, along with their adult partner, build their very own nest box to attract chickadees or tree swallows. Not only will you build your own nesting box, but Mr. McLellan will provide you with the skills necessary to be successful in attracting new feathered friends to your yard by providing shelter for them. All the pieces and parts necessary to build the box will be supplied by the workshop leaders for the cost of the kit at $10. Additional nest box kits “may” be available at the same cost on a first come basis.

The workshop will be Saturday, April 24 at 12pm and a second workshop will start at 2pm. To register (12pm workshop) contact Barb Fenton, President of the Friends of the Sanctuary, at 613-534-2650 or Mary Lynn Alguire, Public Relations, 613-938-2848 (2pm workshop). Please leave a contact number where you can be reached.

Find us along County Road 2 mid-way between Upper Canada Village and Ingleside, or take exit #770 off Highway 401 at Ingleside, go south toward County Road 2, turn west and travel about 8 km until you see the entrance and sign on the south side.

For more information:
Mary Lynn Alguire,
Public Relations Officer, Friends of the Sanctuary

The Friends of the Sanctuary would like to announce two upcoming events:

The first will be held on Tuesday, March 16 at 2 pm, during Spring Break. In your March Break planning, try to include a visit to the Sanctuary to spend time with Little Ray’s Reptiles. Little Ray’s always brings some exciting and interesting animals to their audiences and this March will be no exception. Amazing and thrilling, Little Ray’s never fails to appeal to all ages.

The second will be held on Saturday, April 24. The Friends and Mr. Paul McLellan are presenting a workshop for youngsters (focus on ages 6-10 but open to children of any age) and their adult guest. Participants will purchase a Nest Box kit for $10 and, along with their adult partner, build their very own nest box to attract chickadees or tree swallows. Not only will you build your own nesting box, but Mr. McLellan will provide you with the skills necessary to be successful in attracting new feathered friends to your yard by providing shelter for them. Additional nest box kits “may” be available at the same cost on a first come basis.

The workshop will be Saturday, April 24 at 12pm and a second workshop will start at 2pm. To register (12pm workshop) contact Barb Fenton, President of the Friends of the Sanctuary, at 613-534-2650 or Mary Lynn Alguire, Public Relations, 613-938-2848 (2pm workshop). Please leave a contact number where you can be reached.

Find us along County Road 2 mid-way between Upper Canada Village and Ingleside, or exit 770 off Hwy. 401 at Ingleside, go south toward County Road 2, turn west and travel about 8 km until you see the entrance and sign on the south side.

With thanks,
Mary Lynn Alguire,
Public Relations Officer, Friends of the Sanctuary