Good Morning - I am writing…

Good Morning - I am writing to voice my support for the proposed Amendment to the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park Management Plan. In particular, I am pleased to see the changes to the permitted recreational activities to include rock climbing.

I have spent a lot of time at Devil's Glen, climbing, hiking and skiing, and know that it is a special recreational and environmental resource that warrants appropriate management to ensure that it is enjoyed and protected well into the future!

I have travelled to a number of places to rock climb, including BC and the USA, and in these destinations, rock climbing is embraced and recognized as a key recreational activity and local economic driver. Changes like this provide opportunity for Ontario to have that same attraction as other rock climbing destinations and provides potential for local economic benefit.

The proposed amendment appears to strike a good balance between permitting recreational activity and the enjoyment of the outdoors while allowing for the protection of the environment and sensitive features. I think this is balance key and is important to those who know and have enjoyed Devil's Glen. Part of the attraction of climbing is spending time in nature and continued protection of ecological resources is paramount to climbers.

I support the amendments put forward in ERO 019-8238 and hope the provincial government looks to this as a model for other provincial park plans.

Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.

Ellen