‘Protection areas’ established at Devil’s Glen, prohibits rock climbing
Signs have been erected at Devil’s Glen Provincial Park prohibiting rock climbing in three protection areas.
“We installed signs in Ontario Parks to protect sensitive ecological areas and provide public education about which areas should be avoided,” said zone manager Greg Wilson. “There has been a significant number of unauthorized climbing routes developed in the park over the past several years. These routes have been created without any environmental review or approval by park managers, which is an important process that helps to ensure locations of recreational use are compatible with environmental values and other public interests.”
He said Devil’s Glen Provincial Park was created to protect environmentally significant areas of the Niagara Escarpment and also provide recreational opportunities, with hiking, bird-watching, and wildlife viewing being the formally approved activities at the park as referenced in the Management Plan. The plan does not reference rock climbing, but Wilson said the activity does take place in the park and Ontario Parks is continually assessing locations of rock climbing and policies.
“Generally it’s done in an environmentally conscious and respectful way, avoiding negative environmental impacts so it’s done in a sustainable way, however in recent years the activity has continued to expand,” said Wilson.
The signage is meant to provide education as to where the most environmentally sensitive ecological areas are and should be avoided.
In the absence of specific rock climbing policy, Wilson said the signage is meant to indicate the most sensitive areas of the park.
The signs are posted located in the west, middle and east of the cliff at Devil’s Glen Provincial Park.
“These areas are sensitive because they are home to species such as rare cliff ferns, bat roosting features and cliff nesting birds. It’s important to recognize and protect these features as part of a balanced approach to managing the park along with public recreation activities,” said Wilson.
“Many parks in the region, including Devil’s Glen were created to protect environmentally significant areas. Ontario Parks is continually assessing rock climbing activities. Avoiding negative environmental impacts is key to sustainable outdoor recreation and education about sensitive ecological values is key.”
Wardens are regularly patrolling Devil’s Glen prioritizing education, but also applying other forms of enforcement including fines.
Wilson said that Ontario Parks is not engaging in any formal negotiations with the rock climbing community but is in communication with members. Any proposed changes to the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park Management Plan would be subject to formal consultation with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and members of the general public.
For background, see the Jan. 27, 2022 article ‘Rock climbing traffic exposes impact on rare cliffs’ at creemore.com.
