I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed amendment that would 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 conducted 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 the resilience to withstand 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.

Rock climbing should not be a permitted activity at Devil’s Glen. Its presence has already led to ecological degradation, including vegetation loss, soil erosion, disturbance to nesting birds and other wildlife, and the introduction of invasive species. These impacts are well-documented and incompatible with the park’s conservation objectives.

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, resulting in overcrowding, environmental degradation, and sanitation issues. Rather than enforcing existing protections, the proposed amendment seeks to legitimize and expand climbing access—introducing infrastructure such as parking lots and trails that will only intensify ecological 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 the apparent suspension of impact assessments under political pressure, raise serious concerns about the transparency and 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 sets a dangerous precedent for the management of sensitive natural areas across the province. 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.