Proposed alterations to the campsites at Pinery Provincial Park have sparked concerns, as critics have accused the province of quietly releasing a draft management plan, giving the public limited time to offer input. On the other hand, some believe that updates to the park’s management plan will safeguard the delicate ecosystem within one of Ontario’s most visited provincial parks.
Jeff Schlemmer, a resident of St. Thomas, was surprised to find numerous campsites in his favorite section of the park demolished during his camping trip this spring. Schlemmer, who has been visiting Pinery since the 1950s and now brings his grandchildren along, was emotional upon seeing the leveled sites and missing comfort stations.
Following this discovery, Schlemmer investigated the situation and discovered the proposed management plan on the Environmental Registry of Ontario website. One notable proposal that caught his attention was the “Rewilding Burley” initiative aimed at aiding the restoration of Burley Campground.
The proposed changes, posted on July 3 by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, include potential closures, decommissioning, removal, and rehabilitation of campsites, accommodations, and infrastructure if their usage adversely affects the park’s ecological balance. Additionally, adjustments to sewage treatment infrastructure zoning and strategies for managing environmental stresses on the park are outlined in the plan.
Burley Campground, part of Pinery Provincial Park along with Dunes and Riverside, boasts 302 campsites, washrooms, showers, laundromats, centralized waste collection, and a registration office. The province has confirmed the removal of 52 campsites after the 2025 season, ensuring no further reductions are planned and efforts are underway to relocate some of the dismantled sites within the park.
The significance of Burley Campground lies in its small “interdunal wet meadows,” which are recognized as provincially and nationally valuable. These rare habitats, situated between dune ridges and influenced by a localized microclimate, dune slopes, and groundwater conditions, are unique to Canada’s Lake Huron shoreline between Grand Bend and Kettle Point.
Conservationists have stressed the importance of striking a balance between recreational use of the park and safeguarding its sensitive and ecologically crucial habitat. The Ministry, in response to concerns raised by Schlemmer and others, stated that feedback received before August 17 would be evaluated in conjunction with input from Indigenous groups and local stakeholders.
While the 45-day public comment period has concluded, Ontario Parks remains open to receiving feedback. Conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault, representing Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, noted that the proposed changes have spurred inquiries from park visitors and residents regarding the implications for camping and campsite availability. Pinsonneault emphasized the need for transparent information on proposed changes and opportunities for public input as the management process progresses.
