Murphys Point Provincial Park Management Plan

Description of policy

Murphys Point Provincial Park is a 1239 hectare natural environment class park located in southeastern Ontario, approximately 19 kilometres south of the town of Perth in Lanark County. The park occupies an area on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield and is situated along the Rideau Canal; a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated World Heritage Site.

Murphys Point is an operating park with a wide range of recreational facilities including: 174 campsites, 13 trails, two maintained beaches, two day use areas, a boat launch, ski trails, a visitor centre, amphitheatre and natural and cultural heritage interpretation features and programs.

The park protects life science, earth science and cultural heritage features. Significant park values include: mature deciduous forest and wetland ecosystems; species at risk and their habitat; other provincially and regionally rare species; old mine sites and 19th century homesteads.

Management direction for the park is currently provided in a park management plan approved in 1984. Based on an examination, it was determined that this plan is outdated and does not contain sufficient direction for the protection of park values. New management direction, in the form of a re-written management plan, will be developed for the park. A new management plan will ensure the protection of the park’s natural and cultural values, and guide the park’s use and management for a 20 year period.

Two stages of Aboriginal, public and stakeholder involvement will occur during the management planning process for Murphys Point Provincial Park.

Park boundary changes, including the addition of an acquired parcel of land, will be proposed through this management planning process. If the proposed policy is approved, a subsequent regulation change will be made to Ontario Regulation 316/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act to establish the boundaries consistent with the policy decision. No additional opportunity for public comment on the boundary regulation will be provided.

Purpose of policy

The purpose of this proposal is to seek input on the development of the Murphys Point Provincial Park Management Plan.

Other information

An alternate to the contact listed in this notice is:

Lesley Baird
Park Management Planner
Ontario Parks, Southeast Zone
51 Heakes Lane
Kingston, Ontario K7M 9B1
Phone: (613) 536-7374 Fax: (613) 545-4033
E-mail: lesley.baird@ontario.ca

Viewing locations for the Background Information File include:

Perth and District Union Public Library
30 Herriott Street
Perth, Ontario K7H 1T2
Phone: (613) 267-1224 Fax: (613) 267-7899

Murphys Point Provincial Park
2243 Elmgrove Road
Perth, Ontario K7H 3C7
Phone: (613) 267-5060 Fax: (613) 267-1471

Ontario Parks Southeast Zone Office
51 Heakes Lane
Kingston, Ontario K7M 9B1
Phone: (613) 545-4016 Fax: (613) 545-4033

The following web links provide additional information about the Ontario provincial parks system and about park planning.

Ontario Parks website
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/invit.html

Park Planning Information
http://www.ontarioparks.com/planning

Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_06p12_e.htm

Other public consultation opportunities

Two stages of Aboriginal, public and stakeholder involvement will occur during the management planning process for Murphys Point Provincial Park.

Direct mailing to a mandatory contact list will be undertaken. Public notices will be placed on the Ontario Parks website and posted on-site in the park. Public notices will also be circulated in local newspapers.

Stage One: Invitation to participate and review background information: January 25, 2012 to March 12, 2012

At this stage, Ontario Parks invites Aboriginal people and communities; the public; and stakeholders to review a Background Information File, which presents resource information on the park and the surrounding area. The Background Information File is available for review during the consultation period at the locations listed in this notice. Ontario Parks considers the comments received during this consultation period in the development of a preliminary management plan.

Stage Two: Review of Preliminary Management Plan: Fall, 2012 (tentative)

At this stage, Ontario Parks invites Aboriginal people and communities; the public; and stakeholders to review a preliminary management plan, which presents proposed site objectives, policies and actions related to managing the protected area’s natural, cultural and recreational values. The preliminary management plan is available for review during the consultation period at the locations listed in this notice. Ontario Parks considers the comments received during this consultation period in refining the draft management policies and developing an approved management plan.

Decision Notice: Release of Approved Management Plan: tentative date 2014