I am a retired Ontario…

I am a retired Ontario Public Servant and I have enjoyed the sport of rock climbing for 50 years. I was first introduced to the sport on a school outdoor adventure holiday through my high school in the UK. Although my abilities in other sports were not to be celebrated I was good at rock climbing and spent many days as a young adult out in the hills exploring and climbing. I moved to Ontario in my late 20's and over five decades have climbed in many places around the world. Climbing in most parts of the world is encouraged and its not unusual to see families out together at climbing crags. I note that the levels of participation have increased exponentially with the introduction of gym climbing and its inclusion as an Olympic event. I can say from personal experience that it is a sport that fosters a love of nature and a commitment to personal fitness and good health habits. Although outdoor climbing is very popular in Ontario my sense is that Ontario parks have not embraced the activity in the same way as other outdoor sports such as canoeing, hiking, fishing, backpacking etc. These sports all have a positive impact on the health and well being of Ontarians and I believe that rock climbing delivers many of the same benefits. The inclusion of rock climbing as a permitted sport within the Devils Glen Provincial park is to be commended. I hope that the amended park plan can provide a template for other parks in Ontario so that the many thousands of Ontarians who engage in the sport of rock climbing can stay within the province to pursue their passion, and support Ontario Parks and local communities as a result