Parkhill CA temporary closure of trail sections
Notice of Service Disruption – Temporary closure of sections of trails at Parkhill Conservation Area
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) will be closing sections of trails, temporarily, at Parkhill Conservation Area, starting on June 29, 2026, for forestry operations to thin conifer plantations.
The work is anticipated to take approximately three weeks.
- For full details, please download the Public Notice – Temporary Trail Closure for Conifer Plantation Thinning during July for approximately three weeks – 300 KB (medium-sized) PDF file
- Download Map Showing Areas Affected by Temporary Closure of Trail Sections at Parkhill Conservation Area – Summer 2026 – 200 KB (medium-sized) PDF file
Sections of this forest were row-planted with conifers including White Pine, Red Pine, Norway Spruce and White Spruce in the 1980s.
Planting was done at spacing of eight feet by six feet. This was to encourage crown closure and shading of the meadow grasses and initiate forest restoration.
At the close spacing, the trees eventually become crowded, and thinning is beneficial to improve growing space for the trees.
Thinning also allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting the regeneration of new trees and forest plants.
Prior to planting trees, this area was open farmland and meadow.
The forest behind, or to the east of, the pavilion was planted in the late 1950s following construction of Morrison Dam.
A mix of White Pine, Red Pine and White Ash were planted in rows.
The main tree today in the plantation is White Ash, which is now infested with Emerald Ash Borer. A rapid decline in the trees is expected over the next year.
In order to maintain public safety during forestry operations, the access lane and trails will be temporarily closed while work is ongoing. It is anticipated the work will take place in July with the closure necessary for approximately two weeks. The main entrance will be barricaded during that time. The area affected by the closure is shown in map.
For more information please contact Ian Jean or Nathan Schoelier at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.