​Effective Immediately, All Conservation Areas Closed to the Public 

​Newmarket - March 24, 2020 – Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) has made the difficult decision to temporarily close all 19 conservation areas effective immediately. For your safety, please do not visit these areas as they will not be maintained until further notice. 

“If anyone understands and appreciates the importance of nature and getting outside, it’s the staff at conservation authorities. We have not made this decision lightly, but we are doing what is in the best interest of our watershed community”, says Brian Kemp, General Manager of Conservation Lands. “With the trails not being monitored for hazards like falling or fallen trees, we cannot ensure visitor safety. We have no choice. It’s a matter of public safety.” adds Brian. 

We ask that the public respect these closures and stay out of all conservation areas, including Scanlon Creek in Bradford, Thornton Bales in King, Rogers Reservoir in East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch in Stouffville, Sheppard’s Bush in Aurora, Beaver River Wetlands between Uxbridge and Cannington, as well as Durham Regional Forest which is south and west of Uxbridge. 

View the full list of which properties are included in the closure

​What you can still do: 

• ​If you have a yard, you can still get outside and enjoy it 
• You can still go for walks in your neighbourhood, ensuring you keep the minimum distance of 6 feet from others 
  
• You can still open a window, even if just a crack, and enjoy some fresh air 
  
• You can still be social by calling or emailing your friends, families and neighbours 
  
• You can visit your local library online, which has access to lots of learning and other online resources. 
  

For regular updates, visit www.LSRCA.on.ca/COVID-19 or check our social media channels (Facebook or Instagram​) for information about other activities you can participate in.