Proposed alterations to campsites at Pinery Provincial Park have sparked concerns, as critics are accusing the province of quietly releasing a draft management plan, affording the public limited time for input. On the other hand, some argue that the updates to the park’s management plan will help safeguard the delicate ecosystem within one of Ontario’s most frequented provincial parks.
Jeff Schlemmer was taken aback when he noticed changes during his spring camping trip at his preferred section of the park, where numerous campsites had been dismantled. Schlemmer, a resident of St. Thomas, expressed his shock at the leveled sites and the absence of comfort stations, even feeling emotional about the situation. His curiosity led him to investigate further and discover the proposed management plan on the Environmental Registry of Ontario website. Schlemmer, who has been camping at Pinery since the 1950s and now shares the experience with his grandchildren, was motivated to explore the changes.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks in Ontario unveiled proposed modifications to the park’s 43-page management plan on the Environmental Registry of Ontario website on July 3. The public was given until August 17 to provide feedback. One specific proposal that caught Schlemmer’s attention was the “Rewilding Burley” initiative aimed at supporting the restoration of Burley Campground. According to the plan, campsites, accommodations, and infrastructure may be closed or removed if their use is impacting the park’s ecological integrity. The proposed amendments also entail zoning changes related to sewage treatment infrastructure and address environmental pressures affecting the park.
Burley Campground, one of the three camping areas at Pinery Provincial Park alongside Dunes and Riverside, features 302 campsites, amenities such as washrooms and showers, centralized garbage collection, and a registration office. The province confirmed the removal of 52 campsites after the 2025 season, with no further reductions planned, and efforts underway to relocate some sites within the park.
The significance of Burley Campground lies in its small “interdunal wet meadows,” deemed provincially and nationally important, influenced by localized microclimates and groundwater conditions. Conservationists have stressed the need for the province to balance recreational use with the protection of the park’s sensitive habitat.
Regarding the proposed changes and concerns raised by Schlemmer, the Ministry mentioned that comments submitted before August 17 would be reviewed alongside feedback from Indigenous communities and local stakeholders. The ministry did not address inquiries about the number of closed campsites in Burley Campground or the extent of public consultation preceding the proposal.
Conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault, representing Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, highlighted questions from park users and residents regarding the potential implications of the proposed changes on camping and campsites availability. Pinsonneault stressed the importance of public consultation and transparency in the decision-making process.
