North Beach Provincial Park Management Plan

Approval statement

I am please to approve the North Beach Provincial Park Management Plan as the official policy for the management of this protected area. The plan reflects the intent of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Parks to protect the natural and cultural features of North Beach Provincial Park. It also aims to maintain and develop opportunities for high quality ecologically sustainable outdoor recreation experiences and heritage appreciation for the residents of Ontario and visitors to the province.

The document outlines the policies and implementation priorities for the park and summarizes the Aboriginal community, stakeholder and public involvement that occured as part of the planning process.

The plan for North Beach Provincial Park will be used to guide the management of the park over the next 20 years. During that time, the management plan may be examined to address changing issues or conditions, and may be adjusted as the need arises.

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who participated in the planning process.

Signed
Bradley Fauteux
Managing Director, Ontario Parks
February 2, 2015

1.0 Context

1.1 Legislation and policy basis for management

North Beach Provincial Park is managed according to the purpose, principles and objectives of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA) and related provincial policies (available on the Internet).

The PPCRA has two guiding principles for planning and management:

1. Maintaining ecological integrity shall be the first priority and restoring ecological integrity shall be considered.
2. Opportunities for consultation shall be provided.

1.2 Aboriginal communities

North Beach Provincial Park is located within traditional Mississauga First Nation territory and within an area of interest to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Archaeological assessment has been carried out in some areas of the park but has not revealed any pre-contact resources (Heritage Quest Inc. 2005). Cultural heritage values are summarized in Section 6.1.3.

1.3 Planning context

This management plan has been prepared consistent with all relevant legislation and provincial policies. Additionally, North Beach Provincial Park will be managed to protect any species at risk and their habitat in a manner consistent with the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The implementation of projects in this provincial park will comply with the requirements of A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (Class EA-PPCR). This may include further opportunities for consultation, as required.

1.4 Summary of significant management concerns

Together, Sandbanks Provincial Park and North Beach Provincial Park encompass a significant portion of the largest freshwater baymouth sandbar system in the world. The remainder of this dune system, which contains globally and provincially rare coastal wetland habitat known as panne, is present at Wellers Bay to the north and in three Crown-owned parcels south of North Beach Provincial Park (Figure 1, inset). These Crown dunes are separated by privately-owned lands.

Earlier in the planning process, the three Crown dunes were identified as potential additions to North Beach Provincial Park. The Crown dunes are currently used – mostly by local residents – for picnicking, camping, walking and recreational vehicle use.

Garbage is a problem, and unauthorized all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use has caused considerable damage to dune vegetation and structure in some areas. Adding the Crown dunes to the park would enable these areas to be operated as part of the park and subject to regulations under the PPCRA and could afford greater protection through increased enforcement.

The three Crown dunes are further described in Section 4.1.

2.0 Introduction

North Beach Provincial Park is a 94 ha park located within the Municipality of Prince Edward County, approximately 15 km south of Trenton and 60 km west of Kingston (Figure 1). The park, offering day use facilities and regularly attracting 25,000 to 30,000 visitors annually, has long been a regular destination for local residents but is becoming increasingly popular with out of town visitors. Nearby, Sandbanks Provincial Park provides camping facilities that attract visitors from a wider geographic area.

The park is within the western portion of Ecodistrict 6E-15, which is characterized by Lake Ontario coastal shoreline and wetlands (Crins et. al. 2009). North Beach Provincial Park is one of several biologically significant sandbars that stretch along the western shore of Prince Edward County, sheltering nearby bays and their associated coastal wetlands. The park also supports panne habitat, which is globally and provincially rare.

This management plan provides the long term direction for managing North Beach Provincial Park, including the park’s purpose and vision, permitted uses, zoning and implementation priorities. This plan is written with a 20-year perspective in mind. Management plan examination and adjustment is addressed in Section 10.0.

3.0 Park classification

Through park classification, Ontario’s provincial parks are organized into broad categories, each of which has particular purposes and characteristics. North Beach Provincial Park is a recreational class park.

Recreational class parks provide a wide variety of compatible outdoor recreation opportunities in attractive natural surroundings. North Beach Provincial Park, located on a sandbar that is approximately 1400 m long and 260 m wide, is a high quality beach that provides opportunities for swimming, picnicking, boating and fishing, while offering scenic views of Lake Ontario.

4.0 Boundary

North Beach Provincial Park was established in 1970. This 94 ha park (Figure 1) consists of 30 ha of upland along a baymouth sandbar and 64 ha of adjacent lakebed, with 11 ha extending approximately 92 m into North Bay to the east and 53 ha extending approximately 402 m into Lake Ontario to the west. The park’s northern and southern boundaries are roughly defined by the end of the sandbar, although to the south the boundary extends onto the adjacent limestone plain at the official park entry point off County Road 27.

In 1973, Ontario Parks acquired 4 ha of private land to link North Beach Provincial Park to the Pleasant Bay sandbar in the event of future park expansion. This property was added to the park in 2014 through regulation under the PPCRA.

4.1 Adjacent Crown land

The park is part of a system of dunes that, to the south, includes 18 ha of Crown land in three parcels at Pleasant Bay and Huycks Bay: the Pleasant Bay sandbar (locally referred to as the “South Beach” dunes), the Pleasant Bay pebble/sand beach and the Huycks Bay sandbar and pebble beach. The park and adjacent Crown dunes are surrounded and interspersed by privately-owned rural agricultural land on limestone plain.

The Crown land sandbar parcel at Pleasant Bay links Pierson Point with Island Point (referred to locally as Alexander’s Island or Huyck’s Island). This 900 m (of which 800 m is Crown land and 100 m is privately owned) stretch of sandbar rivals those at North Beach and Sandbanks. However, the dunes and pannes are being degraded by motorized vehicle use; both features are in need of restoration.

A historic 40-foot wide road allowance, described in Road By-Laws of Quarter Sessions, Prince Edward County, 1811-1833, follows the county’s western shoreline of Lake Ontario. This road allowance currently provides sole access to the privately-owned Island Point via the acquired property and the Pleasant Bay sandbar. Ontario Parks’ interest in adding the Pleasant Bay sandbar Crown parcel to North Beach Provincial Park is conditional on establishment of an alternate road access route to Island Point.

The two other Crown land parcels to the south have little value for provincial park purposes:

• South of Island Point, the Pleasant Bay pebble/sand beach Crown dune is 400 m long. In some years, a narrow channel toward the centre of the parcel is openfrom late fall through to early spring, allowing water exchange between PleasantBay and Lake Ontario.
• The Huycks Bay sandbar and pebble beach is a narrow sandbar with smalldunes that extend approximately 800 m after which the substrate becomespebble beach that continues another 650 m south along the shore to Huyck’s Point. County Road 20 provides good access to the point for recreational use.

4.2 Park management within the greater ecosystem

Ontario Parks is committed to a landscape approach to park planning and management. The PPCRA, which governs activities within provincial parks, pertains only to lands and waters within regulated park boundaries. A landscape approach allows park management to consider the relationship between the park and the surrounding environment. At North Beach Provincial Park, the greater ecosystem includes adjacent wetlands, as well as the complete sandbar system along Lake Ontario.

Life science information for North Beach Provincial Park is based on research and investigation of the sandbar system and adjacent coastal wetlands, making it difficult to discuss the park in isolation of the greater ecosystem.

Park management plan policies apply only to the area within the regulated boundary of the park. Within the park boundary, park values and features will be protected through appropriate zoning, managing land use and activities, education, and by monitoring ecological impacts.

5.0 Purpose and vision

The purpose of North Beach Provincial Park is:

To protect – and inspire appreciation for – the biologically and geologically significant sandbar system, while continuing to offer visitors high-quality compatible, ecologically sustainable recreational opportunities in a scenic setting.

The vision for the park is that it will be a place where both the natural and recreational values of a great lakes coastal sandbar are preserved for visitors to experience.

6.0 Objectives

6.1 Protection

Ontario’s provincial parks play an important role in representing and conserving the diversity of Ontario’s natural features and ecosystems across the broader landscape. Protected areas include representative examples of life and earth science features and cultural heritage features within ecologically or geologically defined regions. Ontario’s Ecological Land Classification system (Crins et. al. 2009) provides the basis for the life science feature assessment, and the geological themes provide the basis for earth science assessment.

The protection objective for North Beach Provincial Park is:

To contribute to the provincial protected areas system by protecting and enhancing the park’s ecologically sensitive dune, panne and coastal wetland habitats.

Protection will not be limited to significant features. Park management will be directed toward maintaining a healthy, diverse and sustainable natural environment, which will enhance achievement of the park’s other objectives.

6.1.1 Life sciences

Recognized for their contribution to the complete sandbar system (Section 1.5), the dunes of North Beach Provincial Park, and those along Pleasant and Huycks bays, have been identified as sites of biological significance (Ecological Services 2001). All freshwater coastal dunes in Ontario are provincially significant vegetation communities, including those found at North Beach Provincial Park (Natural Heritage Information Centre Elements Database report for EO ID 66524). Both open and shrub dune habitats are present at North Beach Provincial Park, however the dunes were best classified as ‘little bluestem—switchgrass—beachgrass dune grassland type’. This community is considered imperiled (ranked S2) because there are few locations in Ontario. The North Beach dunes and Pleasant Bay sandbar historically contained low, wet habitats known as pannes. Panne wetlands are a globally and provincially rare vegetation community, and in Ontario they are confined to coastal sandbars along the Great Lakes. Although remnant panne is present at both North Beach and Pleasant Bay, this habitat has been negatively impacted by recreational use and exists in a highly disturbed form.

The 56 ha North Bay wetland was evaluated as not provincially significant in 2011 under the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (Rudy and Norris, 2011). Outside the park at Pleasant Bay to the south, the sandbar contains several regionally rare or uncommon plant species, while the provincially significant wetland is an important stopover for migrating waterfowl (Mosquin Bio-Information 1985).

6.1.2 Earth sciences

Prince Edward County is a 104,500 ha limestone plain of the Lindsay Formation extending into Lake Ontario (Chapman and Putnam 1984). North Beach Provincial Park, particularly the baymouth sandbar that encloses North Bay, is part of one of the largest freshwater baymouth bar sand dune systems in the world. This system was formed by the erosion and transport of glacial deposits. Landforms in the park include dunes, pannes and beaches.

6.1.3 Cultural heritage resources

A Stage 1 and 2 archaeological assessment of the dunes within North Beach Provincial Park identified that the park has high potential for precontact archaeological resources given its location along Lake Ontario (Heritage Quest Inc. 2005). Although no pre-contact archaeological resources were found, evidence may remain concealed due to the highly dynamic nature of the sandbars. Other than possible traces of roads, no built heritage resources are apparent. Recommendations from the assessment are listed in Section 8.2.12. This assessment also investigated the nearby Pleasant Bay and Huycks Bay sandbars, but no archaeological heritage resources were found.

See section 8.2.12 for policy regarding any new cultural resources discovered.

6.2 Recreation

The park’s recreation objective is:

To offer day use visitors high quality beach and water based recreational opportunities that are compatible with the park’s natural values, such that impacts to ecological processes are reduced.

Established for the purpose of providing beach recreational opportunities, North Beach Provincial Park now offers a wide range of day use facilities, including opportunities for picnicking, canoeing, boating and fishing. Swimming along the sandy beach is a very popular activity at the park. On good-weather weekends through the height of summer, park attendance often reaches capacity and visitors are turned away. The park is only staffed during the peak summer months. In the off-season, visitors are permitted to stroll along the beach or partake in winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

6.3 Heritage appreciation

The park’s heritage appreciation objective is:

To inspire appreciation of the sandbar system by balancing heritage protection with recreational enjoyment.

Informal footpaths connect the lake and bay sides of the park, allowing exploration and appreciation of the North Beach dune. The Lake Ontario shoreline offers scenic views over the lake toward Nicholson and Scotch Bonnet islands and the Presqu’ile peninsula.

6.4 Scientific research

The park’s scientific research objective is:

To facilitate ecological monitoring within the park so as to better understand the effects of recreation on the park’s natural heritage.

Dune and wetland features within and adjacent to the park are significant components of the broader landscape from both a natural heritage appreciation and recreational use perspective. Understanding the natural processes occurring within the park will guide use, operations and resource management toward maintaining and improving the ecological integrity of North Beach Provincial Park.

7.0 Zoning and zone management policies

Lands within North Beach Provincial Park are zoned according to their natural and cultural values, as well as their requirement for protection. Permitted activities in each type of zone are derived from Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies (1992 update).

Three zoning categories – development, access and natural environment – are designated for North Beach Provincial Park (Figure 2)^{footnote 1[1]}. Zones differentiate the sensitivity of the natural and cultural values, and the permissible degree of development, recreational uses and management practices within the park.

7.1 Development zone

Development zones contain areas of the park geared to supporting intensive day use activities, and constitute a relatively small portion of most parks. Development may include roads, visitor control structures, beaches, picnic areas and maintenance facilities.

At this time, the specific location and footprint of proposed development within the park remains to be determined through site planning. The development zone boundaries identified in this plan (Figure 2) reflect the flexibility required to accommodate proposed development in suitable areas.

Zone D1 – Day use area (approximately 7 ha)

This zone includes all existing intensive development within the park: the paved road (20 m width), gatehouse area, maintenance building and yard, canteen, three parking areas and a boat launch to North Bay. There is no dock at the boat launch.

• The old pumphouse will be removed from its current location following construction of a new water system within the maintenance area.
• The existing boat launch will remain gravel-based and will not be hardened.
• A picnic shelter is needed within the park, and would be developed within theexisting picnic grounds of this zone (Section 8.5.3).

7.2 Access zone

Access zones serve as staging areas. Generally development is limited to roads and visitor control structures. Provisions may be made for self-use orientation, interpretive or educational facilities. Limited facilities for research and park management may also be present.

Zone A1 – Pleasant Bay Parking Area (approximately 1 ha)

These lands are currently undeveloped, and consist of regenerating agricultural field overgrown with buckthorn. A dirt laneway connects County Road 27 to the Pleasant Bay sandbar.

• This zone may continue to be used for pedestrian access to the Pleasant Baysandbar. It will serve as a staging area for access to the Pleasant Bay sandbar,should the sandbar be added to North Beach Provincial Park in the future.
• A gravel parking area may be developed and serviced by either the parkgatehouse or an on-site fee collection station (Section 8.5.2).
• Limited washroom facilities may also be developed in this zone.

7.3 Natural environment zone

Natural environment zones include natural landscapes which permit the minimum level of development required to support low-intensity recreational activities. Development is generally limited to necessary signs and minimal interpretive facilities.

The remainder of the park, outside the development and access zones, is zoned natural environment.

Zone NE1 – North Beach and Dunes (approximately 83 ha)

Zone NE1 encompasses the dunes and beach and extends into the adjacent lake beds: approximately 90 m into North Bay and 400 m into Lake Ontario. The wooded area near the park entrance is also included within zone NE1.

• Development in zone NE1 is limited to vault privies and change stations.

Zone NE2 – Pleasant Bay Lands (approximately 3 ha)

Zone NE2 encompasses the non-developed portion of the park south of County Road 27.

• A small clearing will accommodate boat access to Pleasant Bay.
• Zone NE2 may be used by visitors year-round to access the Pleasant Baysandbar and wetland for recreational purposes such as nature appreciation, hiking and waterfowl hunting.

8.0 Park policies

This section provides site specific management policies and any associated actions required to effectively manage North Beach Provincial Park in accordance with applicable legislation and provincial policies.

8.1 Industrial and commercial uses

• The following industrial and commercial uses are not permitted within the park:
  • prospecting, staking of mining claims, developing mineral interests andworking mines;
  • extraction of sand, gravel or topsoil; and
  • commercial trapping.
• Electricity generation is not permitted, except for in-park use.

Active commercial fishing and bait harvesting licenses for Lake Ontario fall outside the jurisdiction of the park.

8.2 Resource management policies

North Beach Provincial Park will be managed in accordance with the PPCRA, policies for recreational class parks and all other relevant legislation and provincial policies. MNRF will consider adaptive management approaches when managing park resources.

8.2.1 Land management

Land management will be directed toward sustaining natural ecological processes on the landscape.

• Effects of existing facilities and infrastructure on coastal processes will be considered and, as structures or services are replaced or phased out, attemptswill be made to reduce impacts (e.g., by consolidating buildings and services; redesigning roads, parking and trails).
• Ontario Parks will obtain all aggregate required for use in the park from sourceslocated outside the park. Aggregates include gravel, sand, stone or otherprescribed material under the Aggregate Resources Act.

Additions to the Park

Ontario Parks will support, in principle, adding property to the park, provided the addition is anticipated to enhance park values. If suitable lands within, nearby or adjacent to the park become available for addition they will be evaluated with regard to their contribution to park objectives, willing seller/willing buyer and other factors including available funding. Any park addition would require a change to regulation and an amendment to the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas.

8.2.2 Water management

• There are no water control structures in the park. No dams or weirs will be builtin the park.
• The park’s sandbar forms a natural water-level control for North Bay. However, if waters in the bay become artificially high, park staff may take action, such asclearing the culvert or dredging the outflow creek between North Bay and LakeOntario, to help manage water levels in the bay. Any actions taken will followappropriate provincial, municipal and conservation authority procedures andapprovals.
• Where possible, new development or redevelopment will be undertaken so as notto disrupt natural drainage. If possible, natural drainage will be restored where ithas been disrupted by previous or existing development.

8.2.3 Waste management

• All sewage and solid waste will be disposed of in accordance with Ministry of Environment and Climate Change regulations.

8.2.4 Alien and invasive species

Alien species are plants, animals and micro-organisms that have been unintentionally or deliberately introduced by human activity into areas outside their natural past or present distribution. Invasive species are those alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy and/or society, including human health.

• Alien species will not be deliberately introduced into the park.
• Where invasive alien species threaten natural or cultural values, a control program may be undertaken if feasible and practical.
• Invasive plant species control will be in compliance with any existing best management practices or strategies, and will be undertaken in such a way as tohave minimal effects on the park environment.
• Actions to prevent invasive species introductions will be identified and implemented based on an assessment of risk and feasibility. Such actions may include increasing visitor awareness of invasive species through signage and regular monitoring to enable early detection.
• Where possible, Ontario Parks will assist MNRF Peterborough District and other partners in monitoring invasive alien species at North Beach Provincial Park.

8.2.5 Extirpated native species

• Existing populations may be augmented, and extirpated native species may bereintroduced, if biologically feasible and desirable for perpetuating park values.

8.2.6 Insects and disease

• The occurrence of native insects and diseases is recognized as an integralcomponent of the park’s ecology. Native insects and diseases will normally beallowed to progress naturally, except where a safety hazard results or parkvalues become threatened.
• If outbreaks of alien or native insect and disease species threaten park values, visitors or adjoining private lands, the outbreak will be controlled, where feasible, using biological and species-specific controls whenever possible.
• Where control is undertaken, it will be directed as narrowly as possible to the specific insect or disease, so as to have minimal effects on the surrounding park environment.

8.2.7 Pesticide application and use

• Pesticides may be used to protect park values and to ensure park visitor safety. Typical uses include:
  • natural resource management projects to control invasive species, protect or restore the habitat of native species, or to protect or restore rare ecosystems; and
  • control of poison ivy.
• Where pesticides provide the only feasible option for control, chemicals havinglow or no soil activity and for which environmental impacts have been tested and shown to be minimal will be selected and used in accordance with integrated pest management principles.
• All pesticide use must be in accordance with park policy, Ontario’s Pesticides Act and regulations, as well as any additional Ministry of the Environment requirements.

8.2.8 Fire management

North Beach Provincial Park consists mostly of semi-open sand dune habitat, with very limited tree cover. It has been suggested that natural fire regimes for sand dunes included a combination of drought and frequent fires (Catling and Catling 1993, in Van Sleeuwen 2006).

The Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario (2004) provides strategic direction for managing wildfire across Ontario. North Beach Provincial Park is in the Southern Ontario Fire Management Zone according to this provincial strategy. This fire management zone is located outside the fire region of Ontario; therefore, municipalities have a mandate to provide forest fire protection. The Municipality of Prince Edward County fire department is responsible for fire protection and response in the park area.

Fire management within North Beach Provincial Park will help to restore and maintain ecological integrity while preventing personal injury, loss of values and social disruption.

Fuel caches are not permitted in the park.

Prescribed burning is the deliberate, planned and knowledgeable application of fire by authorized personnel to a specific land area to accomplish predetermined objectives.

• Funding permitting, prescribed burning may be used to restore and maintain thepark’s semi-open sand dune habitat. Plans for any prescribed burning will bedeveloped in accordance with MNRF policy in cooperation with MNRF fire management staff and/or the municipal fire department.

8.2.9 Species at risk

• Species at risk and their habitats will be protected in a manner consistent with the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and associated regulations and the PPCRA.
• Actions identified in a recovery strategy, implementation plan, or government response statement may be implemented.

8.2.10 Vegetation and landform management

• Vegetation management will be directed toward promoting the health anddiversity of natural vegetation communities, particularly within naturalenvironment zones.
• Where planting or seeding is necessary, use will be made of species native to thepark and sources of these species that originate in or near the park.

Hazard trees

• Safety will take precedence when dead limbs or standing trees pose a risk to thepublic or park staff. Dead standing trees provide important habitat for wildlife andcontribute to ecological processes; these will only be removed when necessary,based on an assessment of the risk they pose.
• As much as possible, fallen trees and brush will be left to deteriorate naturally,unless they pose a threat to health or safety, or interfere with regular park operations.
• Dead or dying trees that are infested with damaging insects or disease –regardless of whether the infestation is native or non-native – may be cut,chipped and removed from the park and disposed of at local landfills to reduce oreliminate the spread of infestation to the greater park area.

Dune vegetation management

The dunes at North Beach Provincial Park have become degraded due to vegetation loss from trampling and erosion.

• Dune restoration may be undertaken by physically directing pedestrian trafficalong designated paths and restoring native vegetation to degraded areas. Restoration methods may include:
  • erecting fences to funnel pedestrians to specific paths;
  • installing snow fencing to manage sand drift, deposition and erosion-building boardwalks along eroding paths; and
  • planting local-stock marram grass within trampled areas and within the footprints of former park infrastructure.
• Dune restoration projects will take into consideration the natural sand movementof the dunes.

8.2.11 Fisheries management

An ecological framework for recreational fisheries management in Ontario, developed in 2005, guides fisheries management at the provincial level. North Beach Provincial Park is within Fisheries Management Zone 20.

• Fisheries management decisions for Lake Ontario and for North Bay are led by MNRF Lake Ontario Management Unit. Wherever possible, the park will support efforts to maintain and/or enhance native, self-sustaining fish populations in park boundary waters.
• Park visitor education will be used to increase awareness of good anglingpractices, as outlined in the annual Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.
• Park infrastructure development and other permitted activities will consider potential impacts on fish and fish habitat.

8.2.12 Cultural heritage resources

Cultural heritage values will be protected, maintained, used and disposed of in accordance with the protected areas mandate (legislation and policies) and the evaluation process developed by MNRF consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial Heritage Properties (Ontario Heritage Act).

• Recommendations from a Stage 1/2 archaeological assessment of the park and adjacent lands (Heritage Quest Inc. 2005) will be considered:
  • Areas exposed by significant wind storms may be investigated for potentia larchaeological resources; and
  • The mainland area along the Pleasant Bay shoreline will be subject to Stage 2 investigation in advance of any proposed modifications of the landscape.

If cultural heritage values are discovered, decisions on activities that may affect them shall be based on appropriate studies and research (including analysis of physical, documentary and oral evidence) aimed at understanding the cultural heritage value, including its level of significance (e.g., local, regional, provincial), the impact of proposed activities on the value, and measures to mitigate these impacts.

8.2.13 Research

MNRF encourages scientific research by qualified individuals contributing to the knowledge of natural and cultural heritage and to environmental management. Proposed research is reviewed to ensure adequate consideration of potential impacts on protected area resources, features, staff and visitors.

• Research activities require authorization issued under the PPCRA, consistentwith relevant policies. Research must meet all requirements under applicable provincial and federal legislation, and may require additional permits or approval (e.g., MNRF Wildlife Scientific Collector authorization or Endangered Species Act, 2007 permits).
• Ontario Parks may consider allowing temporary facilities in support of approved research and monitoring activities. Sites altered by research activities must be rehabilitated as closely to their previous condition as possible, except where the specific intent of the research activities is disturbance for the purpose ofecological enhancement or restoration.
• Research initiatives specific to North Beach Provincial Park may include:
  • evolution of the park’s landscapes in relation to natural processes (e.g.,dune formation and dynamics);
  • ecological restoration and management in the park;
  • status of invasive species; and
  • reducing the effects of park uses and operations on ecological integrity ofthe dunes.
• Ontario Parks will especially encourage research that involves monitoring ecological changes of the park’s natural and recreational landscapes over time.
• Ontario Parks may collaborate with MNRF Field and District staff on research involving dune ecology and restoration.

8.2.14 Inventory and monitoring

• Ontario Parks will ensure that decisions are made with the best available information. Where this information is lacking, Ontario Parks may conduct inventories and monitoring to provide this information. Such efforts will be undertaken based on established methodologies and best practices.
• Avian diseases (e.g., avian botulism, a re-occurring problem on the Great Lakes) will continue to be monitored, as required. Fish and bird mortalities will continueto be reported to the appropriate authorities as per existing policies and protocols.

Coastal Sandbar System

A detailed life science inventory of North Beach Provincial Park may be considered. Prior to further consideration for addition to the park, an inventory of the Crown sandbar at Pleasant Bay would be required to identify valuable natural heritage features and to confirm panne significance.

• Ontario Parks will encourage and support inventory of the life science featuresand values of the regulated park and of the Pleasant Bay sandbar south of the park by MNRF Peterborough District staff and partners.

If feasible, inventory and evaluation of the complete sandbar system – from Sandbanks in the south to Wellers Bay in the north – would provide a holistic perspective of this biologically significant system, and would be a valuable management tool for protecting the park’s role within the greater park ecosystem.

8.3 Recreation management policies

8.3.1 Hunting

• Hunting is not permitted within the park.

8.3.2 Recreational fishing

• Recreational fishing is permitted at North Beach Provincial Park in accordancewith provincial and federal fisheries regulations (i.e., the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and the federal Fisheries Act) as outlined in the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.

8.3.3 Motorized and mechanized travel

• ATV travel is prohibited in the park. Visitors arriving via ATV will not be permittedto bring their vehicles into the park.
• Currently, ATVs are illegally entering the park and damaging fragile dune habitat. To protect the dunes, public education and enforcement action will be taken toterminate this activity.
• Waters within the park boundary accommodate motorized boating of anyhorsepower rating. Boating on Lake Ontario and North Bay is subject to federal and provincial regulations, which include limiting speeds to 10 km/hr within 30 m of shore.
• Snowmobiling is not permitted within the park.

8.3.4 Other recreational uses

• Although swimming is permitted within the park, swimmers are warned throughsignage of a potential strong undertow in the waters of Lake Ontario.
• Picnicking, scenic viewing and nature appreciation are encouraged.
• Other recreational activities permitted within the park include:
  • canoeing and kayaking;
  • wind-powered sports such as windsurfing and sailing (except in designatedswimming areas); and
  • cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Horseback riding will not be permitted within North Beach Provincial Park.
• Activities which are not specifically addressed in this management plan may be considered. New activities must be reviewed to determine if they are consistentwith legislation, regulations and policies. An adjustment to the management plan may be required.

8.4 Operations policies

The park operations plan provides staff with the necessary direction required to operate the park on a day to day basis.

• The park operations plan will include such topics as budget, staffing, maintenance schedules, natural heritage education, enforcement and emergency services.
• The provisions of the park operations plan will be consistent with the approved Ontario Parks Minimum Operating Standards (1992 revision), and will bereviewed and updated as required.
• Where possible, park operations will minimize environmental impacts. This could be accomplished in part by reducing energy use, noise and light pollution andvehicle emissions.

Facility development and maintenance, along with heavy recreational use, has negatively affected the park’s dune vegetation and communities and interfered with natural sand movement (Davidson, 1990). Managing facilities and recreational use so as to restore and protect the park’s natural heritage values is necessary at North Beach Provincial Park.

8.4.1 Natural heritage education

The goal of Natural Heritage Education (NHE) is to develop visitor awareness and appreciation of Ontario Parks’ natural and cultural heritage, fostering a commitment to

its protection for future generations. An NHE program has three components: information, interpretation and outdoor recreation.

At North Beach Provincial Park, the NHE program is designated as self-use; there is no outdoor recreation component. The park receives NHE support from staff at Sandbanks Provincial Park, with program direction being a component of the Sandbanks Provincial Park NHE Operating Plan. The interpretive theme for North Beach Provincial Park is the biologically significant sandbar system and its associated coastal wetlands, including the globally and provincially rare panne habitat.

• Park information and interpretation will be delivered through printed materials,signage, panels or displays, and informal communications with park staff.
• Partnerships with local tourism authorities to relay information to park visitors andpotential park visitors may be pursued.

8.4.2 Partnerships

Partnerships will be essential to achieving the park’s protection, recreation, scientific research and heritage appreciation objectives.

• When implementing the approved park management plan, Ontario Parks mayexplore and pursue opportunities for new or continuing partnerships, involvingother agencies and groups, through formal and informal partnership agreements.
• Partners may represent the local community, local and provincial interests or theprivate sector.
• Partners may work with Ontario Parks to assist with implementing the approvedpark management plan (e.g., dune restoration methods), as per provincial parkpolicies and regulations.

8.5 Development policies

• All development undertaken by Ontario Parks, or by third parties on its behalf, will be subject to the Class EA-PPCR and will be carried out in accordance with approved site and development plans that meet development standards for provincial parks.
• Areas proposed for development will require prior assessment for cultural heritage resources or natural heritage features to ensure these values are identified and protected at the site.
• The location, design and materials of all facilities will, as much as possible, reflectthe natural character of the park. Durable, low maintenance and energy efficient designs and materials will be used whenever possible.
• To the extent possible, new utility corridor development will avoid the regulated area of the park.

There is a need to upgrade and consolidate some of the existing development within the park. Drifting sand has effects on facilities and infrastructure (e.g., annual burying of the road, parking lots and buildings (privies, change stations and canteen)).

• Future development and infrastructure replacement will investigate options forreducing ecological impacts of park operations and visitor use.
• New development will be designed and located so as to minimize impact oncoastal processes.

8.5.1 Internal roads

North Beach Provincial Park has one approximately 1.3 km-long internal, paved road that can accommodate two-way traffic. This road leads past the canteen to the boat launch, servicing three parking areas along the way. A 0.25 km section of gravel road previously extended north beyond the paved road to the park’s boundary at the Township road allowance but is no longer maintained; this location is currently used as an unauthorized point of entry to the park.

A dirt laneway crosses the acquired property, linking County Road 27 to the Pleasant Bay sandbar. This laneway is currently closed to traffic.

• There will be no new roadways developed in the park.
• Existing roads may be improved and will be maintained to provincial parkoperating standards within a 20 m right of way. Roads will occupy only as much of the right of way as required to meet those standards.
• Access into North Beach Provincial Park from the Township road allowance atthe north end of the park will be closed through signage and/or barriers to furtherdecommission the former gravel road section extending from the existing paved park road.

8.5.2 Parking areas

• No new parking lots will be developed within the park area north of County Road 27 (zone D1).
• A small, gravel parking lot may be developed within the access zone A1 (Section7.2). This gated lot would provide overflow parking and accommodate park visitors. A fee collection station and washroom facility may be installed.

8.5.3 Day use areas

• At present there is demand for a sheltered picnic area within the park. This structure will be constructed on an existing, grassy picnic area in the middleparking lot north of County Road 27.
• Existing vault privies will be replaced based on demand and as funding permits. As privies and change stations are replaced, consideration will be given toward fewer, more effective units (e.g., two-unit comfort stations) to reduce their overall footprint in the park.
• Services that will continue to be available to park visitors, subject to available resources, include a small canteen serving food and beverages, and a boat launch into North Bay. Additional services may be provided, based on sufficient demand and subject to financial and staff resources, if:
  • they meet the vision and objectives of the park; and
  • it can be demonstrated that there will be no negative impacts to natural values and ecological processes.

8.5.4 Trails

There are no existing trails within the park, although trampling and erosion have resulted in footpaths where park visitors frequently cross the dunes.

• To minimize dune impacts, physical structures may be used to direct and restrictpedestrian traffic to selected existing footpaths (Section 8.2.10).

8.5.5 Maintenance and administrative areas

The gatehouse is the official entry point into the park, providing minimal administrative services. The maintenance building is located nearby and also functions as the park office.

• The park gatehouse, maintenance building and other park facilities or structuresmay be upgraded or replaced as required.
• The existing water system will be fully replaced, dependent on available resources.
• Upon development of a parking lot within access zone A1 (Section 8.5.2), thepark gatehouse may be moved closer to County Road 27 to provide a more central location between the two park entry points.

9.0 Implementation priorities

Park development, operations and resource management will be contingent upon funding and resource availability and unforeseeable changes in priorities or policy, and will be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Class EA-PPCR. The following proposals will be phased in over a 20 year period:

• Restore native vegetation to degraded areas through marram grass planting (Section 8.2.10).
• Complete the new water system, including installing associated water lines and removing the old pumphouse (Section 8.5.5).
• Replace existing vault privies (Section 8.5.3).
• Close and/or further decommission former section of park road (Section 8.5.1).
• Construct a picnic shelter within the existing picnic area of the middle parking lot in zone D1 (Section 8.5.3).
• Construct a small gravel parking lot and washroom facility within access zone A1 (Section 8.5.2).

10.0 Plan examination and adjustment

This management plan will be examined in accordance with the provisions of the PPCRA to determine whether the management direction is still relevant, effective and current, or if an adjustment is required. In circumstances where this plan is not providing sufficient direction, it can be examined prior to the next scheduled examination.

External requests for adjustments to address specific concerns may be considered. Ontario Parks can provide further guidance to external parties on the process for requesting an adjustment to this plan and whether specific requests can/will be considered.

References

Chapman, L.J. and D.F. Putnam. 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario, 3^rd Edition. Ontario Geological Survey Special Volume 2. MNR. 270 pp.

Crins, William J., Paul A. Gray, Peter W.C. Uhlig, and Monique C. Wester. 2009. The Ecosystems of Ontario, Part I: Ecozones and Ecoregions. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough Ontario, Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment, SIB TER IMA TR-01, 71pp.

Davidson, R. J. 1990. Protecting and Managing Great Lakes Coastal Dunes in Ontario. In: Proceedings of the Canadian Symposium on Coastal Sand Dunes. pp. 455-471.

Ecological Services. 2001. Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest in Site District 6E-15: A Review and Assessment of Significant Natural Areas in Site District 6E-15 (Unpublished Draft). Prepared March 2001 for the MNR, Kingston Area Office. 58 pp. + appendices.

Heritage Quest, Inc. 2005. Stage 1/2 Archaeological Assessment: North Beach Provincial Park, Pleasant and Huycks Bay Transverse Bars, Hillier Township, Prince Edward County. Prepared for Ontario Parks, Southeast Zone. 46 pp. + appendices.

Mosquin Bio-Information. 1985. Wetland Data Record for Pleasant Bay. Prepared for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Napanee District. 16 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1992 update. Ontario Provincial Parks: Planning and Management Policies. Ontario Parks. 90 pp. + appendices.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2004. Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario. Queens Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON.. 64 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2005. A Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON. 47 pp. + appendices.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2006. Technical Guideline for Cultural Heritage Resources for Projects Planned under the Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON.. 45 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2011. Our Sustainable Future: A Renewed Call to Action, Ministry of Natural Resources Strategic Directions. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON.. 51 pp.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2012. Biodiversity: It’s In Our Nature. Ontario Government Plan to Conserve Biodiversity, 2012-2020. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Toronto, ON.. 42 pp.

Natural Heritage Information Centre. 2011. Element Summary Report for Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. Available http://www.biodiversityexplorer.mnr.gov.on.ca/nhicWEB/nhicIndex.jsp [link inactive]

Ontario Parks. 1992 revision. Minimum Operating Standards. Operations and Development Section. 101 pp. + appendix.

Ruddy, L and T. Norris. 2011. North Bay Wetland Evaluation – Southern Ontario Weland Evaluation, Data and Scoring Record. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources-unpublished.

Van Sleeuwen, M. 2006. Natural Fire Regimes in Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 130 pp. + appendices.

Appendix: opportunities for involvement

Summary and results of Aboriginal involvement

Aboriginal involvement is a very important part of park management planning. There were opportunities for local Aboriginal community involvement throughout the stages of the planning process. Notice and information on park management planning for North Beach Provincial Park was provided to one local Aboriginal community and two provincial treaty organizations at the terms of reference and background information stages. An opportunity to review and provide input and comment on the final draft preliminary management plan was provided to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and to the Mississauga First Nation communities. No comments or concerns were received during the preliminary management plan stage.

Summary and results of public consultation

Public consultation is a very important part of the North Beach park management planning process. Ontario Parks was committed to consultation with government agencies, other ministries, interest groups and the public throughout this management process. Consultation methods included: direct mailings, advertisement in local newspapers and policy proposal notices on the Environmental Registry.

Direct mailing recipients include individuals, groups and agencies that responded to the invitation to participate, residents and corporate managers of adjacent lands, and new individuals requesting addition to the mailing list (ongoing during the planning process).

Public consultation opportunities were provided at each stage of the management planning process, as outlined below. Responses throughout this period were considered in determining the proposed policy

• Stage 1 – Terms of Reference: A combined management planning process forNorth Beach and Lake on the Mountain provincial parks began in August 2004, following release of the approved terms of reference. An invitation to participate was advertised to the public and interested participants were given 30 days toreview the terms of reference.
• Stage 2 – Background Information: In 2006, the terms of reference wereamended to remove the requirement for a management options (formerly “issues and plan alternatives”) document from the planning process. At the same time, abackground information file on the two parks was made available for public review. A 47-day public consultation period followed, from which three detailed responses (one individual and two interest groups) were received concerning North Beach Provincial Park. These comments expressed support for potential park expansion and the continuation of traditional activities such as waterfowl hunting and non-motorized recreation.

• Stage 3 – Preliminary Management Plan: The North Beach Provincial Parkmanagement planning process continued separate from Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park from this point forward. The preliminary management plan wasreleased in June of 2013 through a policy proposal posting on the Environmental Registry of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993. Invitations to participate were mailed to persons and organizations on the park planning contact list, local landowners, stakeholders and interested individuals. The 47-day comment and review period was announced through newspaper advertisements in the Picton Gazette, Belleville Intelligencer and Trenton Trentonian and copies of thedocument were available at Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks. A public open house was held at the park on June 22, 2013.

  Seven comments were received in review of the North Beach Preliminary Management Plan. The majority of comments were received through mail and comment sheets submitted at the open house. One comment was submitted through the Environmental Registry. Although relatively few responses were received during this stage, most of those were supportive of the proposed policies. Stated concerns included: long term protection of the dunes, including the adjacent Crown dunes to the south of the park; the inclusion of the South Beach dune as a park addition, and traffic and parking along County Road 27. Where appropriate, sections of the plan that were commented on were clarified; in other cases clarification was provided to the respondent.

  In addition to minor wording changes to policies in this plan and content and format changes based on current management direction document standards, review of the comments on the preliminary management plan have been addressed as follows:

  • Minor changes were made to the proposed park addition section (Section 4.1) describing the values of two Crown dunes to the south of the park. Although they were not proposed for addition to the park through the management planning process, the statement that they will not be considered for addition to the park was removed.
  • Minor changes were made to Sections 7.3.2 and 7.6.2 to clarify access and parking policies for the access zone near Pleasant Bay.

Ontario Parks will retain on file reference copies of background information, the terms of reference, the preliminary park management plan and the approved park management plan for North Beach Provincial Park.