I strongly support amending…

I strongly support amending the Devil's Glen management plan to recognize climbing. Climbing has been and will continue to occur at DG, and the best thing that Ontario can do is recognize it, and come up with a plan for managing it. This can help reduce environmental impact on the following ways:

- Managing fixed protection (bolts and anchor stations). The management plan can include provisions for regulating the installation of new fixed hardware, which will reduce the impact of "free-for-all" bolting and bolt removal, preventing our cliffs from turning into swiss cheese. This will also prevent climbers from slinging trees.

- Construction of climbers trails at the base of the cliff, and upgrades to the existing approach/descent trails. Currently, sections of the existing trail at the base of the cliff appear (to me) to be eroding the soil and potentially harming plant life. Proper trails will help prevent further erosion and damage to plans. The approach trail currently includes some 4th class scrambling to get down, which is potentially unsafe but also could contribute to erosion. An improved trail could solve both issues.

- Promote stewardship. Parks Ontario can provide official guidance on stewardship practices such as packing out garbage, not top roping through fixed hardware, leashing pets, staying on trail, etc.

Thank you for reading. I look forward to climbing being officially recognized and sanctioned in Ontario parks.