Roadside parking restrictions are creating entry points for anglers and hunters visiting Pretty River Provincial Park close to Collingwood.
The restrictions, applied by the Town of Blue Mountain, took impact on Nov. 30, 2022 and restricted roadside parking on Pretty River Road, between the Osprey-Blue Mountains city line and the Blue Mountains city line, a stretch of street that bisects the 808.28 ha. non-operating provincial park.
Tim Hendry, supervisor of communications and financial growth for the township, famous that the city had applied roadside parking restrictions in a number of rural areas the place there may be potential security danger to street customers, emergency autos, and pedestrians. He additionally stated the city met with Ontario Parks, in Oct. 2022 previous to the modifications to overview the restrictions and supply parking choices.
“Managing parking on Pretty River Road has been an ongoing challenge for the Town, both from a public safety and operational standpoint,” Hendry stated. “Pretty River Road has a slender platform and with vehicles parked on one aspect or each side, pedestrians are compelled to stroll additional into the centre line of the street. This poses a security danger for each motorists and pedestrians, significantly given the curves and bends within the street.
The city and neighbouring municipalities have skilled severe accidents in comparable circumstances the place roadside parking shouldn’t be managed. In addition, roadside parking on this space can lead to challenges for emergency autos when there are autos parked on each side of the street with park customers milling round their autos on the roadway making ready for a hike. When snowbanks are current and plows are lively through the winter season, the danger turns into even better in areas the place roadside parking happens.”
Users stunned by restrictions
Ian Hockley, who has hunted and fished within the park for about 50 years, stated most park customers he is aware of had been stunned by the parking restrictions, which makes entry to the south part of the park tougher.
He understands the protection considerations but additionally stated that the present parking location on the east aspect of the park means hunters and anglers wishing to entry alternatives within the southern part should stroll about 1.7 kilometres over difficult terrain, which may very well be problematic for these with well being or mobility points.
Hockley additionally feels the present scenario is much less secure because it crowds hunters who may not need to journey as far, and funnels these going to the southern portion of the park, forcing them to cross the street in query at a dangerous location. The park is well-used through the rifle season for deer, and he questioned how secure it might be now that it’s more durable for hunters to disperse.
He has contacted his MPP, Ontario Parks and others, hoping to encourage a greater parking resolution.
“The current situation is far from ideal,” he stated. “With a little bit of effort, they could come up with an alternative.”
OOD has requested Ontario Parks if there are any future parking plans for the park, however has not obtained a response by publication time. More info will likely be supplied if it turns into out there. Pretty River is utilized by hikers, cyclists, anglers, and hunters.