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157:(MNR) was formed. The MNR expanded to include forestry operations within the province, becoming the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in approximately 2010, and became more focused on Forestry and species protection and enforcement via Conservation Officers. Ontario Parks is a branch of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP). Until recently, Ontario Parks as a whole was under the mandate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
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119:, Canada, that protects significant natural and cultural resources in a system of parks and protected areas that is sustainable and provides opportunities for inspiration, enjoyment and education. The Ontario Parks system covers over 78,000 square kilometres (30,000 sq mi), which is about 10 per cent of the province's surface area or the equivalent of an area approximately equal to
269:"are established to represent and protect the distinctive natural habitats and landforms of the province. These areas are protected for educational and research purposes. Due to the fragility of many of these natural features, only a few nature reserves are accessible to the public."
245:"typically have good beaches, many campgrounds and lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. Most recreation parks provide services that may include toilets and showers, laundromats, interpretive programs, playgrounds, boat launch facilities, hiking trails and picnic tables."
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is announced. This land use strategy identifies 378 new protected areas, including 61 new parks and 45 parks additions. Ontario's Living Legacy will protect over 2.4 million hectares of land, including additions to the provincial parks system of over 900,000 hectares.
153:' interests from settlement. The management and creation of provincial parks came under the Department of Lands and Forests in 1954 and led to a period of accelerated park creation: a ninefold increase in the number of parks over the next six years. In the 1970s the
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2018 – Ontario Parks changes hands from the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to the newly created Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. All employees including Park Wardens are now employed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
298:(67.4 km), 83 natural environment class parks (14,675.3 km), 113 nature reserve class parks (1,152 km), 62 waterway class parks (14,446.2 km), eight wilderness class parks (48,237.5 km) and five unclassified parks (3494.8 km).
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1996 – The provincial parks system adopts a new entrepreneurial operating model where revenue generated by parks can be reinvested in the parks system. This is symbolized by a new name, Ontario Parks, and a new visual identity.
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1996 – Ontario Parks partners with the
Natural Conservancy of Canada to create Legacy 2000, a program to protect significant natural areas. Under this agreement more than 11,000 hectares are secured.
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Elizabeth
Halfpenny. "Financing Parks through Marketing: A Case Study of Ontario Parks". Bushell and Eagles (eds). Tourism and Protected Areas: Benefits Beyond Boundaries. CABI. . 2007. Chapter 18.
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A Division of Parks is created within the
Department of Lands and Forests. This heralds a new and aggressive program to create more parks, primarily on the Great Lake and northern tourism highways.
285:"are large areas left to nature where visitors may travel on foot or by canoe. Offering little if any facilities for visitors, these areas provide the solitude of an undisturbed, natural setting."
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2001 – Ontario now has a total of 280 provincial parks encompassing 7.1 million hectares or almost nine per cent of the province's area. Over 9 million visitors annually enjoy
Ontario Parks.
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The
Ontario Parks system has been used as a model for other parks systems in North America. This can be attributed to its delicate balance of recreation, preservation and conservation.
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261:"protect the landscapes and special features of the natural region in which they are located, while providing ample opportunities for activities such as swimming and camping."
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1954 – Ontario still has only eight provincial parks: Algonquin, Quetico, Long Point, Rondeau, Presqu'ile, Ipperwash, Lake
Superior and Sibley (now known as Sleeping Giant).
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1978 – Ontario
Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies are approved by Cabinet giving Ontario one of the world's leading parks planning systems.
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Changing Parks: The
History, Future and Cultural Context of Parks and Heritage Landscapes. Natural Heritage / Natural History Inc. 1998. pp 34, 50 &
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1893 – Algonquin Park is created as a public park and forest reservation, fish and game preserve, health resort and pleasure ground.
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The history of
Ontario's provincial parks stretches for over 100 years. Here are some of the milestones from the past century plus:
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Many parks in Ontario also offer a Natural Heritage Education program (also called interpretive services or visitor services).
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1967 – Ontario introduces a new policy that divides parks into specific categories, or classes, with compatible sets of uses.
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Ontario Parks system uses a classification system to divide the provincial parks into the following categories:
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Ontario Parks and Protected Areas Research Forum. Heritage Resources Centre, University of Waterloo. 1996.
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1993 – Ontario celebrates the centennial of the provincial parks system and Algonquin's 100th anniversary.
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277:"are river corridors that provide canoeists with high-quality recreation and historical river travel."
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2018 – Ontario celebrates 125 years of the provincial parks system and Algonquin's 125th anniversary.
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1983 – The new land use planning system leads to the announcement of 155 new parks to be designated.
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1960 – There are now 72 provincial parks in Ontario, hosting over 5 million visitors annually.
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1970 – Polar Bear, Ontario's largest provincial park at 24,000 square kilometres, is created.
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Parks and Protected Areas Research in Ontario, 1998. Parks Research Forum of Ontario. 1998.
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As of 2008, Ontario Parks system manages 63 recreational class parks (394.8 km), six
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1985 – There are now 220 parks in Ontario encompassing over 5.5 million hectares of land.
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253:"emphasize the protection of historical and cultural resources, in an outdoor setting."
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1913 – The Parks Act sets aside land not suitable for agriculture or settlement.
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Islands of Hope: Ontario's Parks and Wilderness. Firefly Books. 1992.
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123:. It falls under the responsibility and mandate of the province's
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145:
The Ontario Parks system began in 1893 with the creation of
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Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
16:
Provincial government ministry protecting parks in Ontario
371:"A brief history of nature education in provincial parks"
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with 329 provincial parks and 292 conservation reserves.
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1894 – Rondeau becomes Ontario's second provincial park.
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Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
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Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
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1105:List of defunct Ontario ministries and agencies
598:Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
514:Government of Ontario departments and agencies
219:Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act
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558:Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
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1131:Ontario government departments and agencies
127:. It was formerly under the mandate of the
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129:Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
882:Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
324:List of British Columbia Provincial Parks
217:2007 – Introduction of new legislation:
1141:Government agencies established in 1954
867:Independent Electricity System Operator
852:Financial Services Regulatory Authority
543:Children, Community and Social Services
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315:, for parks in other Canadian provinces
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155:Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
7:
1022:Information and Privacy Commissioner
758:Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
618:Labour, Training, Skills Development
588:Public and Business Service Delivery
728:Northland Transportation Commission
573:Environment, Conservation and Parks
528:Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1032:Office of the Legislative Assembly
973:Independent Police Review Director
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840:Local health integration networks
313:List of Canadian provincial parks
149:, originally designed to protect
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548:Citizenship and Multiculturalism
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784:Agricultural Research Institute
1136:1954 establishments in Ontario
887:Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
872:Lottery and Gaming Corporation
836:Health Shared Services Ontario
258:Natural Environment Class Park
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824:Trillium Gift of Life Network
753:St. Lawrence Parks Commission
738:Niagara Escarpment Commission
723:Mining and Lands Commissioner
683:Alcohol and Gaming Commission
628:Municipal Affairs and Housing
296:Cultural Heritage Class Parks
1080:Emergency Management Ontario
250:Cultural Heritage Class Park
988:Special Investigations Unit
794:Cannabis Retail Corporation
88:Minister of the Environment
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1017:Environmental Commissioner
688:Civilian Police Commission
653:Treasury Board Secretariat
388:"Welcome to Ontario Parks"
350:"Welcome to Ontario Parks"
713:Landlord and Tenant Board
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638:Seniors and Accessibility
613:Intergovernmental Affairs
553:Colleges and Universities
266:Nature Reserve Class Park
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743:Niagara Parks Commission
708:Human Rights Commission
242:Recreational Class Park
232:Provincial park classes
208:Ontario's Living Legacy
1027:Integrity Commissioner
676:Boards and commissions
748:Securities Commission
698:Fairness Commissioner
329:National Park Service
308:List of Ontario parks
282:Wilderness Class Park
71:Peterborough, Ontario
60:Government of Ontario
917:Royal Ontario Museum
718:Liquor Control Board
101:www.ontarioparks.com
77:Minister responsible
951:Provincial services
912:Real Estate Council
814:Cancer Care Ontario
583:Francophone Affairs
274:Waterway Class Park
111:is a branch of the
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1100:Parliament Network
829:HealthForceOntario
603:Indigenous Affairs
412:. Ontarioparks.com
390:. Ontarioparks.com
352:. Ontarioparks.com
69:300 Water Street,
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1058:Executive Council
1012:Elections Ontario
978:Provincial Police
968:Forensic Sciences
845:Patient Ombudsman
703:Film Review Board
643:Solicitor General
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902:Power Generation
772:and corporations
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693:Energy Board
414:. Retrieved
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999:Legislature
799:Clean Water
789:Cancer Care
377:and passim.
121:Nova Scotia
1120:Categories
521:Ministries
416:January 3,
394:January 3,
356:January 3,
336:References
1090:Hydro One
1037:Ombudsman
877:Metrolinx
563:Education
958:Archives
779:Agricorp
302:See also
1063:Premier
819:eHealth
578:Finance
206:1999 –
151:loggers
141:History
117:Ontario
97:Website
46: (
767:Other
593:Health
568:Energy
448:Google
442:Google
436:Google
41:Formed
1095:Ornge
1051:Other
897:Parks
461:p 277
375:p 262
418:2014
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358:2014
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937:TFO
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