Toronto 
The Ontario government has announced the development of its first all-season, full-service provincial park in over 40 years, at Bigwind Lake Provincial Park near Bracebridge.
Credit: Ontario Parks
Currently, Bigwind Lake is classified as a non-operating park, offering only self-guided recreational activities. The upgraded park, expected to begin construction by 2024, will introduce 250 campsites and up to 25 new cabins to the Ontario Parks system, catering to overnight stays and electrified camping.
Ontario Parks says once the park becomes operational, it will offer various year-round recreational activities, including cross-country skiing, canoeing, and hiking. The park’s upgrade also focuses on enhancing visitor experience through amenities such as a visitor centre, electric vehicle charging stations, and modern buildings. Environmental sustainability is a priority in the park’s design, with features including low-energy buildings, easy-to-access biking and walking routes, and wildlife-friendly planning.
“Having grown up camping in Ontario Parks with my dad, I know just how special it is to have access to the great outdoors,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This will be the first new operating provincial park in almost two generations, and with the demand on our parks system on the rise, our government understands the importance of investing in Ontario Parks, which is the largest provider of outdoor recreational experiences in the province.”
Local municipalities, stakeholders, and the public will be consulted in the coming months on the park’s design. The government also invites individual comments until August 6.
The park, formerly a junior ranger camp in the 1960s, lies within a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Toronto, offering southern visitors easy access to its beautiful lakes, meadows, marshes, and upland forests.
