The Ontario government is working with the Town of Hearst, the Township of Moonbeam and the City of Timmins to keep visitor services at local provincial parks.
Under a two-year pilot project, Ontario Parks will work with the municipalities to operate Fushimi Lake, René Brunelle and Ivanhoe Lake provincial parks, with the goal of increasing revenue and visitation. The municipalities will be responsible for covering any financial losses incurred during the pilot period.
In September 2012, the province announced it was closing these parks, along with seven others, because of low visitation and occupancy levels that resulted in financial losses.
“I’m proud that we were able to work collaboratively with municipal partners to continue to offer camping at these three parks,” said Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle. “We responded to the concerns we heard from Northerners with a pilot that, I hope, will make these parks more economical and help guide future decision making for our fantastic parks system."
“Fushimi Lake is an important feature in the social and recreational life of our community,” said Roger Sigouin, mayor of Hearst, “On behalf of our municipal council and Friends of Fushimi, I would like to convey our appreciation for the foresight and trust the minister has shown to the Town of Hearst. This has helped us achieve a constructive partnership with the Ontario government that will give a second life to Fushimi Lake."