MacGregor Point Provincial Park Management Plan: Addendum

Master Plan Addendum

Ministeres des Richesses naturelles
Lyn McLeod
Ministre

I am pleased to approve the MacGregor Point Provincial Park Master Plan Review to be used in conjunction with the December 1978, Master Plan, as official policy for the management and development of this park. The documents reflect this Ministry’s intent to protect natural and cultural features of MacGregor Point Provincial Park and maintain high quality opportunities for outdoor recreation and heritage appreciation for both residents of Ontario and visitors to the Province.

Signed by:
Regional Director
Southwestern Region

Part 1: MacGregor Point Provincial Park master plan review

April 1, 1986

1.0 Introduction

The original master plan for MacGregor Point Provincial Park was approved in December, 1978 and one of the provisions of the plan is that it "will be reviewed at regular five year intervals" (page 3). This is the first review of the plan which consists of identifying all the items that were to be done to implement the plan and then determining those items which had not been completed. An assessment was then carried out as to why they weren't completed. Issues which have arisen since 1978 are also identified. The current plan was then assessed to determine if it still provides adequate direction for the development and management of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. This document presents the result of the Ministry of Natural Resources review as well as an examination of the park visitor comment cards. The document will be appended to the master plan.

2.0 Master plan review

In general the master plan still provides adequate direction for the development and management of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Therefore, the following review presents those sections where a specific item has not been implemented or additional items have arisen. The review follows the content order established in the master plan. A discussion follows each item.

Page 3, purpose of a master plan

The last sentence of this section states "In keeping with Ministry Policy, the plan will be reviewed at regular five year intervals".

Discussion

Current Ministry direction is that park management plans will be reviewed in 10 years following its approval, or earlier if the need arises. This revised review period will be applied to the MacGregor Point Provincial Park master plan.

Page 9, market analysis

For the most part the analysis and direction provided in this section still applies to MacGregor Point Provincial Park. One major change has been the substantial reduction in construction staff at the Bruce Nuclear Power Development at Douglas Point and the corresponding population decrease in the surrounding townships. This reduction will likely affect day-use at the park which is not a significant proportion of total use.

The majority of park visitors reside in the Kitchener, London and Oakville area. According to the 1983 camper survey, park visitors have the following characteristics: 76.1 percent stay two or more nights, 70.5 percent are 25 years of age or older, 82.8 percent are either a couple or family and 61.8 percent consider MacGregor Point Provincial Park their main destination point. These figures confirm what the 1979 master plan had projected for the type of park visitor.

Camping facilities are not provided at Denny’s Darn Conservation Area.

Page 32, park objectives

One of the park objectives is "To provide a variety of destination camping experiences, including sinqle and double family sites and walk-in and group camping areas".

Discussion

The group camping and walk-in areas have not been completed.

During the initial operating years of the park, group campers have been accommodated within the under-utilized campground C (Huron). Development of the group camping area should be considered since the regular camper use in the Huron Campground has increased sufficiently to preclude a large number of group campers.

The proposed walk-in campsite area utilizes the same access road as the group camping area, thus development will be delayed until the access road is completed. A market study for the provision of walk-in sites, which includes an examination of the facilities provided by the private campground operators are required. This will ensure that the park does not duplicate facilities already provided and maintains its cooperative role with private operators in the local tourism economy.

Page 33, park classification

MacGregor Point Provincial Park is classified as a recreation park.

Discussion

MacGregor Point lies within site district two of the Region 6E - Lake Simcoe - Rideau Site Region (Huron Fringe). The park contains excellent examples of the essential features of the Huron Fringe. It also contains extensive, undeveloped forested land, varied wildlife populations and numerous sensitive wildland areas, all of which contribute to make the park suitable as a natural environment park.

In 1978 the Province approved a revised system for planning Provincial Parks called Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies, 1978. A target was set for establishing a natural environment park to represent each of the 65 site districts in the Province. In order for the Province to meet its class representation standards, the Owen Sound District Land Use Guidelines (1983) recommended that MacGregor Point be a natural environment park. Therefore, it is proposed that MacGregor Point be re-classified to a natural environment provincial park to recognize its contribution to the life science representation of the Huron Fringe.

Page 37, internal road circulation

The plan calls for the main park road to service the walk-in and group camping areas. The main and secondary park roads are proposed to be paved.

Discussion

When the walk-in and group camping areas are developed, the main road will be extended into the area.

To date only the main road from the entrance to the turnoff to the private cottages has been paved. Paving the roads is considered very important to reduce user complaints and escalating maintenance costs for dust control, road grading and gravel replacement. Only the main and secondary roads, not the internal campground roads will be paved.

Page 39, parking areas

Parking areas for group and walk-in camping have not been built.

Second car parking lots for campground B and C have not been developed.

Discussion

Parking areas will be constructed when the group and walk-in camping areas are developed.

With the well-defined driveways at each campsite, campers are permitted to park a second vehicle at the site. This situation has not lead to any problems, therefore the second car parking lots will not be constructed.

Page 39, camping areas

This section indicates that winter camping will be provided at MacGregor Point. It was anticipated that winter camping at Inverhuron Provincial Park would transfer to MacGregor once Inverhuron was closed to camping. The demand for winter camping at MacGregor has not developed and the service is not provided. The sites with electrical outlets are well utilized in the spring and fall, in addition to the summer seasons.

Page 39, day-use areas

The plan recommends that an adventure playground and picnic shelter be constructed in the day-use area.

Discussion

If day-use increases to the point where a playground would be fully utilized, a play area would be considered at that time.

The picnic shelter has not been constructed. Once other major facilities have been completed such as the walk-in and group sites, _the shelter will receive a high priority.

Page 40, Washrooms

Comfort stations have been constructed in Campgrounds A and B. The comfort station for Campground C has not yet been constructed.

Discussion

Campground C has received lower occupancy than the other two. Non-group camping use in Campground C has now increased to the point where a comfort station with showers and the development of the group camping facility is warranted. Pending the availability of capital development funds and the necessary approvals, the comfort station and group camping facility will be constructed.

Page 41, trails

All of the trails as described in the master plan with the exception of the bicycle trail have been constructed.

Discussion

A major portion of the bicycle trail will include the main road. Once the main road is constructed, the bicycle trail will be completed.

Page 46, staffing

The master plan proposes that five permanent staff be stationed at the park.

Discussion

The present permanent staff consists of the Park Superintendent, all other positions are filled on a seasonal basis. As park visitation increases, staffing levels will be monitored and adjusted as necessary. The use of volunteers in various aspects of park operations will be encouraged.

Page 49, visitor services

The visitor services program as outlined in the master plan was to provide a major activity program on a full year basis.

Discussion

Low off-season use has resulted in the visitor services program being offered from June to September with self-use facilities available during the other seasons.

Page 55, wildlife management policies

One of the requirements of this section is the preparation of a wildlife management plan.

Discussion

The preparation of a wildlife management plan had not been initiated until recently due to the lack of data on wildlife population levels, lack of guidelines for preparing such a plan in provincial parks and a lack of funding to complete the necessary wildlife population surveys. The plan will provide information on wildlife populations, habitat management and address the issue of hunting in the park.

Page 55, wildlife management policies

In the time since the master plan was approved, a joint venture between Ducks Unlimited and the Ministry of Natural Resources has been proposed for a low-lying area at the south end of the park. This proposal will re-establish a wetland environment that existed prior to it being drained during a road maintenance project. The proposal is of moderate proportions that will enhance the wildlife values of the natural environment zone and is consistent with the intent of the master plan. Page 35 of the master plan when discussing the natural environment zone states that....

"Management will be necessary to maintain existing habitats for wildlife and plant species. Although emphasis will be placed on maintaining existing species, habitats in some cases may be altered to encourage the establishment of native species, such as wood duck."

The proposal details are as follows:

Location: MacGregor Point provincial park

Lots 1, 2, 3
Concession: Lake Range
Saugeen Township
County of Bruce
N.T.S. 41A/6
M.G. Reference: 460949158
Aerial Photograph number: 78-4428-275-4

Background:

The subject area was originally an imperfectly drained lowland swamp. It is situated on a sandplain terrace immediately adjacent to Lake Huron.

Inhabitance by beaver in more recent years altered this site from seasonal to a more permanent wetland type. Prime wetland habitat quickly established as did many new species of wetland-related wildlife. The wetland was drained as a part of local road maintenance and improvement at some time between 1978 and 1983.

Proposal:

The purpose of this proposal is to secure and optimize this specific quality wetland for the benefit of waterfowl and other wetland-related wildlife species.

The preliminary concept would involve isolating the wetland area from the Township road allowance. This will permit water level control within the wetland without affecting roadbed drainage. This would be possible by construction of a low head dyke parallel to the Township road allowance, and a water control structure at the natural wetland outlet to permit fine tuning of levels (Figure 1).

Ducks Unlimited Canada will cover the entire cost of construction and maintenanc of the project. Arrangements will be made for joint project operation by a Ministry of Natural Resources/Ducks Unlimited management committee.

The visitor services program will utilize the area to explain how wetlands function and indicate their economic, ecological and social benefits. Schools and other groups will be encouraged to use the wetland for outdoor environmental studies.

Page 58, agreements

An agreement has not been finalized with the Township of Saugeen for the marine road allowance which parallels the entire shoreline of the park.

Discussion

It is the intention of the Ministry to continue to pursue the acquisition of this road allowance to enable staff to carry out park management and full enforcement of the Parks Act within the park boundaries.

Figure 1: MacGregor Point Wetland Conservation Project

Enlarge Figure 1: MacGregor Point Wetland Conservation Project

3.0 Public consultation

The following steps were taken to incorporate public consultation in preparation of the MacGregor Point Provincial Park Master Plan Review.

A mailing list was prepared consisting of local interest groups, municipalities, government agencies and members of both the federal and provincial parliaments. Thirteen copies of the draft master plan review and the MacGregor Point Provincial Park Master Plan (1978) were mailed out on July 29, 1985.

A news release was mailed out on July 29, 1985, and a newspaper advertisement was placed in three local newspapers during the first week of August, 1985. These efforts were designed to inform people of the master plan review and that copies of the review and master plan were available at the Owen Sound District Office and MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Notices concerning the master plan review were also posted in the Park. All comments were to be received by Sept. 6, 198 [missing date from original document]

The results of the various communication efforts were 10 separate letters and four camper comment cards raising 17 issues. A report was then prepared summarizing the analysis of public comment. One copy of the summary was sent to each person that had submitted comments.

Based upon Ministry of Natural Resources staff discussions and external input, the final review was prepared, approved and copies sent to municipalities, members of parliament and other interested parties.

Part 2: Macgregor Point Provincial Park draft master plan review - analysis of public comment

April , 1986

Page 2

Response

The intention is to provide walk-in sites in this area. Walk-in sites are proposed to protect sensitive, natural features in this area.

Issue

Provide an overflow camping area when the park is full.

Response

Provincial park policy does not allow overflow camping. There are numerous private campgrounds in the immediate area that can handle any overflow from MacGregor Point.

Issue

Provide more sites with electricity.

Response

At this time the existing sites with electrical outlets are well utilized but not fully occupied during the peak or off-season, therefore additional sites are not warranted. However, the situation wfll be monitored and an extension of electrical service may be considered in the future.

Issue

The size of the campgrounds should be maintained as is.

Response

Development of the group camping area is being considered since the regular camper use in the Huron Campground has increased sufficiently to preclude a large number of group campers.

Issue

Location of group camping and walk-in sites must be done carefully so as not to interfere with trail users and the natural environment.

Response

A site plan will be prepared which incorporates these concerns.

Page 40, washrooms

Issue

Require more showers

Response

Development of the Huron Campground with showers will help alleviate this problem.

Page 41, trails

Issue

Cross-country ski trail should be improved with parking somewhere between the Algonquin/Visitor Centre road intersection and the old cottage road.

Response

This is a good idea and will be considered for inclusion in the trails plan.

Issue

Do not permit snowmobiling on Old Shore Road trail because of potential damage to area and trail should be for cross-country skiing only.

Response

Trail is not heavily used by snowmobiles and use has not resulted in site damage. There has not been any reported conflict between cross-county skiing and snowmobiling.

Page 46, staffing

Issue

More staff are required.

Response

As park visitation increases, staffing levels will be monitored and adjusted as necessary.

Page 49, visitor services

Issue

Provide an outdoor amphitheatre for the evening presentation of slides and films.

Response

The visitor centre accommodates programs. The construction of an amphitheatre will duplicate a service already provided.

Page 55, wildlife management policies

Issue

Hunting in park.

Response

A wildlife management plan will be prepared which provides information on wildlife populations, habitat management and the issue of hunting in the park.

Issues

Establish a waterfowl area in the field above the Nipissing Bluff adjacent to the municipal drain.

Rehabilitate stream for trout from the Campbell Mill Pond through lots 19 and 20.

Response

Both of these proposals will be considered during the prep ration of the wildlife management plan.

Page 58, agreements

Issue

The Ministry of Natural Resources should not acquire the marine road allowance.

Response

Acquisition of the allowance will facilitate park management, enforcement of the Parks Act and the availability of the area for public use. The entire park, with the addition of the road allowance contributes to the local tourist economy by attracting visitors to the area.

The following are concerns related to the operation of the Park and should be dealt with in an operating plan.

• Visitor centre should be open later in season
• No spraying of insecticides or herbicides
• Ban radios and televisions
• Reservation system should be for five days minimum, with no refunds and the number of sites should only be 20%
• Improve direction signs along trails
• Increase number of self-use facilities including brochures
• Provide more facilities for the handicapped