Background information for Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand Provincial Parks Management Planning

Background information document

We have developed a background information document to support the development of a management plan for three provincial parks:

• Wabakimi
• Kopka River
• Whitesand

This background information document provides summary information about the three parks, including:

• geographic locations
• natural and cultural features
• social and cultural uses such as recreational activities
• access and park users

This information will be the basis for all upcoming planning stages, including the development of a management plan which will guide the parks’ long-term development, protection and management.

 We are sharing this information to:

• support further public and stakeholder involvement in the planning process
• identify management priorities

The public and stakeholders are invited to share information with us that may not be captured here so we can consider it as we develop management direction for the parks.

Park locations and general information

Wabakimi, Kopka River and Whitesand provincial parks are located in Northwestern Ontario, approximately 200 kilometres north of the city of Thunder Bay.

 The provincial parks are surrounded by the towns of:

• Armstrong
• Savant Lake
• Pickle Lake

Most of Wabakimi Provincial Park is within the Treaty 9 area, while the southern area of Wabakimi, and Kopka River and Whitesand provincial parks are within the Robinson-Superior (1850) Treaty area. The Ojibway Nation of Saugeen is located within Treaty 3.

The parks are within the current and traditional land use areas of:

• Whitesand First Nation
• Eabametoong First Nation
• Ojibway Nation of Saugeen
• Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay) First Nation
• Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
• Mishkeegogamang First Nation
• Namaygoosisagagun (Collins) and the Whitewater Lake Community Development Corporation
• Métis Nation of Ontario and Red Sky Métis Independent Nation

Wabakimi Provincial Park

Wabakimi Provincial Park was established in 1983 as a wilderness class park. It encompasses 892,940 hectares (ha). A large addition to Wabakimi was not classified when it was regulated in 1997. The park’s classification will be evaluated during this management planning process.

The park protects a wide range of natural and cultural heritage resources and provides opportunities for wilderness recreation.

Kopka River Provincial Park

Kopka River Provincial Park, a waterway class provincial park, was established in 1989. It extends approximately 160 kilometres east from Brightsand River Provincial Park to Lake Nipigon, with a total area of 31,303 ha.

The park features:

• historical sites
• dramatic topography
• caribou values
• remote tourism opportunities

Whitesand Provincial Park

Whitesand Provincial Park (11,337 ha) was established in 2003 as a waterway class park in recognition of its:

• natural features
• recreational canoe route

The park stretches in a northeast direction, 45 kilometres along a system of rivers and lakes from Jojo Lake to Bad Medicine Lake / Dazzle Creek.

The park features:

• caribou habitat
• recreational opportunities

Consultation

The background information is currently available for review and comment for a 45-day period. Comments can be sent to the contact identified below. Comments received will be considered when preparing a management options document for the provincial parks.

Comments must be received by June 3, 2023.