PARKS BRANCH 



The main objective of the Parks Branch is to reserve areas 

 and establish Provincial Parks that will accommodate exist- 

 ing and anticipated demands of recreational and edu- 

 cational activities usually associated with the natural 

 environment. The Branch is divided into three sections — 

 Recreational Planning, Park Planning and Development, and 



I Park Management. 



I During the past fiscal year, 92 Provincial Parks were oper- 

 ated, including three new parks — Arrowhead, Ferris and 

 North Beach. Approximately 3Va million acres of Provincial 

 Park land was available for the enjoyment of the public. A 

 further 500,000 acres is designated as reserve for future 

 development as Provincial Parks. 



The 1966 season was the most successful operating season 

 in the history of Provincial Parks in Ontario. Visitations in- 

 creased over the previous year by 10 per cent to an all-time 

 high of 9,791,671. Camper use increased by seven per cent, 

 providing some 2,653,035 camper days. A total of 994,787 

 campers were recorded by permit in 1966. Although park 

 fees remained unchanged, revenue increased some $215,000 

 to a total of $2,100,000 in 1966. 



PARK DEVELOPMENT 



Development appropriations were increased to $2,500,000, 

 resulting in an additional 1,000 campsites, 23 comfort 

 stations, 18 trailer dumping stations, eight major water and 

 sewerage systems, and expanded parking area and beach 

 development. This expansion took place in existing Pro- 

 vincial Parks and as part of initial development of four 

 parks to be opened in the 1967-1968 fiscal year period. 

 HUNTING IN PARKS 



Public hunting was continued in a number of Provincial 

 Parks in southern Ontario — an area where such grounds 

 are limited and demand is high. Waterfowl hunting under 

 licence was permitted in Presqu'ile, Darlington, Holiday 

 Beach, Long Point and Rondeau. Put and take pheasant 

 hunting was very popular at Presqu'ile, Darlington and 

 Sibbald Point parks this year. Hunting is not permitted in 

 parks except those covered by regulations under The Game 

 and Fish Act. 



REVENUE FROM PROVINCIAL PARKS 

 Vehicle permits $1,024,368 



Campsite Permits 935,524 



Concessions 104,278 



Miscellaneous 37,933 



Total 



$2,102,103 



