I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed amendment to permit rock climbing at Devil’s Glen Provincial Park. This proposal is fundamentally incompatible with the park’s core mandate under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, which prioritizes the protection of ecological integrity for present and future generations.

Ontario Parks’ own ecological assessments—such as those by Gould (1984) and Jalava (2008)—have clearly identified the park’s cliff and talus ecosystems as “Extremely Sensitive” to human disturbance. These habitats have evolved over centuries in isolation and lack resilience to recreational impacts. A broad body of research, including studies from both academic and climbing communities, confirms that climbing activities can cause irreversible damage to these fragile environments.

The current climbing activity at Devil’s Glen has expanded not through policy, but through neglect. Despite clear prohibitions in existing management plans, unauthorized use has proliferated, leading to overcrowding, ecological degradation, and sanitation issues. Rather than addressing these violations, the proposed amendment seeks to legitimize and expand climbing access—introducing infrastructure such as parking lots that will only intensify environmental pressures.

Furthermore, the adjacent crown land acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada was intended for conservation and ecological protection—not recreational development. Ontario Parks’ recent actions, including the removal of ecological protection signage and apparent suspension of impact assessments under political pressure, raise serious concerns about the integrity of the decision-making process.

This proposal undermines public trust and the credibility of Ontario Parks’ conservation mandate. Permitting rock climbing at Devil’s Glen does not align with the park’s intended protections and sets a dangerous precedent for the management of sensitive natural areas. I urge Ontario Parks to uphold its legislative responsibility and reject this amendment in favor of responsible stewardship that places ecological integrity above recreational interests.

Devil’s Glen is a sanctuary of irreplaceable natural heritage. It must be protected—not compromised.