PARKS BRANCH 



'HE responsibilities and functions of Parks Branch are as follows: 



Provision, operation and maintenance of provincial parks as public recrea- 

 tional lands; 



Examination of potential park areas; 



Recommending potential and proposed park areas to the Ontario Parks 

 Integration Board; 



Production of detailed master plans for provincial parks; 



Development of provincial parks in accordance with the master plan; 



Design and construction of provincial park structures and buildings; 



Establishment, operation and maintenance of interpretive programmes and 

 exhibits in provincial parks of natural and/or historical significance; and 



Collection compilation and assessment of provincial park statistics. 



In 1964 there were 88 provincial parks totalling more than 3,730,000 acres 

 open for public use. Of these, eight were maintained without fees being charged. 

 In addition there were 58 areas totalling 568,374 acres reserved for future 

 development. 



There were no changes in provincial park fees which consisted of the annual 

 vehicle entry permit of $3.00, the daily vehicle entry permit of fifty cents, the 

 boat entry permit of $5.00 for entry by water into Quetico Provincial Park and 

 the daily campsite permit fee of $1.00. 



A 7% increase over 1963 in park visitation was experienced. The 1964 

 figure was 9.139,975. The number of campers was up 9% over last year to 

 916,281. (This figure excludes campers on renewed permits, a system initiated 

 in 1963). Wilderness campers using the interior waterways of Algonquin and 

 Quetico Provincial Parks was up 4% to 49,112. 



An appropriation of $1,150,000 was made available for the development of 

 provincial parks. The number of camping units was increased in 1964 by 792, 

 making a total of 15,230, thus providing accommodation for approximately 61,000 

 campers at one time. The construction of 73 earth pit toilets, 10 flush type 

 comfort stations, and 6 change houses added to the facilities available for the 

 park user. Other additional improvements to parks facilities included; 21,299 

 feet of beach, 51 acres of overflow camper areas, 35 wells and 4Vi miles of 

 nature trails. 



Pinery, Darlington, Kakabeka Falls and Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Parks again 

 provided facilities for winter activities. A ski tow and snow making equipment at 

 the Pinery proved popular. 



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